Got a slight coolant leak somewhere at the front, fairly certain it is the radiator. Had system tested and appears to be holding pressure but there is definitely a leak somewhere.
Radiator looks in perfect shape but, cannot trace to any hoses or joints and definitely not the cap.
Checked Haynes manual but this makes no mention of air con. I'm hoping I can drop the rad out from underneath without degassing and removing air con parts. Can anyone who has done this job confirm please?

Many thanks

Ben

Definitely the radiator. After running for a while I can see coolant seeping from the top of the rad despite seemingly holding pressure ok.

Not even going to think about the K Seal route so it will be getting replaced.

Any idea of labour time or what it is like as a diy?

Cheers

Ben

Hi Ben, if you have A/C I believe you have to take off the bumper. Pretty much straight forward job, no disconnecting of the A/C necessary, can't see rust being a problem here, but I'd factor in new jubilee clips. Since your at it, flush out the system, obviously bleeding the system properly.

If you're handy with the spanners, an hour to do the actual deed, but flushing & bleeding more. Then again you may find other things that hold you up. Stating the obvious have a look at other parts while you are there. As I've said, you just never know what you may find.

Thanks Jimboy, I'll get one ordered up and get it done at the weekend
I'll replace hoses and clips whilst it's apart.

Cheers

Are radiators the same across the GP range, n/a, turbo, diesel etc? Getting conflicting information.

Cheers

Ben

Working on this just now and struggling with the bumper.

Does anyone know what the four torx flange bolts on the bottom of the bumper screw into above? Two are just spinning.

Also struggling with the self tappers on the NS arch liner, rusted solid to the clips, any ideas?

Thanks in advance.

Ben

Ah the dreaded rust. Looks like you'll have to drill them out & source new ones that fit after.

Ben D said:

Working on this just now and struggling with the bumper.

Does anyone know what the four torx flange bolts on the bottom of the bumper screw into above? Two are just spinning.

Also struggling with the self tappers on the NS arch liner, rusted solid to the clips, any ideas?

Thanks in advance.

Ben

Click to expand...

It's the classic U type metallic inserts. Try to pull the bolt a little and it will start getting out eventually.

Thanks CMOS.

They had sheared off, managed to get an Allen wrench up through the bolt hole to hold them, long slow process, most of the afternoon to get this far. Probably the most frustrating thing I've ever done on a car, was more of a pain than the last head change I did but came off with no damage and no drilling or cutting. Going to look for stainless bits for building back up.

Will get radiator changed tomorrow, hoping that will be more straightforward.

Ben

Aye Ben you never know what you may find as I said before. Over the years I've amassed among other things stainless steel self tappers/fasteners/nuts/bolts & other stuff that never goes amiss. It's always a learning curve..

Wish I bought an intercooler just now save taking it off again in the spring!

Will take some pics and do a how to for the rad tomorrow.

Cheers

So.... Don't read the Haynes manual for this job if you have a petrol turbo! Looking like it will require either the front cross member and headlights removing to take out from above or turbo pipes to get it from below. Got NS moving but there is still something OS keeping it tight that I can't see.

Anyone actually done this job on a tjet that could point me in the right direction?

Cheers
Ben

It's off!!!

Intercooler needed to come off but aircon was fine. With both of the shrouds removed and the airco rad tied up out of the way rad came out from below.
Decided to hold off fitting the new one for a few days, want to fire some bilthamber s50 into the front cross member whilst it's apart and, it's definitely going back together with stainless u clips and fasteners.

Cheers
Ben