Replacing Radiator

[Landmark]

Hi Folks,
Following discussion on another thread it looks like I may be replacing the radiator on my 02 1.4 Multispace. I had a devil of a job last year when I changed the antifreeze replacing the bottom hose which has the "quick fit" :brickwall: hose connection. Ended up removing inner wheel arch liner to get to it!
Does any one have any tips/advice to make it easier?
Thanks,
Griff

[addo]

Er... Remove the wheelarch liner in anticipation?

Hose dissembly is probably common as bumper removal; a little "pre work" like this is pretty much par for the course. I'm presuming the thermostat is both recent and verified working?

[Landmark]

Hi Addo,
Yes, thermostat and coolant changed last year. It was just so hard to "push" the bottom hose back in I was wondering if there was a nack to it!
Griff

[addo]

We use Vaseline quite generously for that sort of thing; a synthetic grease like Cu800 or castor oil based grease may theoretically be less harmful when in contact with the rubber, but never had one fail.

Same on the heater hose O-rings at your bulkhead; a little lubing up makes the job a doddle.

[andy-womble]

Vegetable oil, cheapy supermarket stuff, is most suitable on such components. Any mineral-oil derived product may be detrimental and rot rubber products..

[Ol'Jeffers]

A little spray silicone works for me. Doesn't attack rubber.
No spray silicone?? Cheap spray furniture polish....almost the same.

[ricc]

just thinking aloud.. havnt been out to look ... can you disconect the hoses at the other end and remove / refit rad with hoses attached

[addo]

The lower one isn't really practical to do this way - rear connection is even less accessible when not on a hoist.

[Landmark]

just thinking aloud.. havnt been out to look ... can you disconect the hoses at the other end and remove / refit rad with hoses attached

Hi, Like you're alternative approach but had thought of that but like Addo says it's a nightmare to get to (hope I never have to renew it!)
I'm just after a way the "professionals" have to push the pipe back in to the rad connection. A so called "quick fit" connection!
Griff :wave:

[addo]

The only hint I can offer as a semi-professional, is some cars (this is a generalisation) you don't fix off the radiator before fitting up the hoses; this gives you room to bully it about a little and wrestle with clamps/clips. Also do the bottom one first, this way you have the most manoevrability.

On earlier (XU) series motors the back outlet housing is crappy ten-year plastic and changing it in situ with the offside driveshaft still fitted is a right mongrel.

Australia is a real gift in that we don't get massive corrosion unless the car's lived beachside. If the job starts to get stroppy on you, it's often a quicker approach to whip off the whole front than take the "Right said Fred" option of forced, piece-by-piece unbolting...

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