Hi Guys (+ Dolls) anyone help with this one please.

Stilo 1.6 5 door 02 model

Have suffered a leak on the radiator for sometime, and after reading some of the useful info on the forum. Have been using the K solution for sometime now. Unfortunately the radiator has finally given up.

I wonder if anyone has changed the radiator, if so, was it difficult and are there any snags I should be aware of. Not sure what the Fiat garage would charge as this has only just happened (Sat night), so any help locating a cheap rad would be appreciated.

Many thanks for looking, would value your input.

TKS

Its one of the easier jobs to do tbh - you will need quite a bit of ground clearance though as the rad slides down and out.

- Remove undertrays if/as required.
- Disconnect the bottom hose by squeezing the metal clip inwards and pull the hose off gently.
- Unscrew the expansion tank cap as this will help the coolant to fall out. Make sure the coolant is captured and disposed of properly.
- Disconnect the top hose in the same manner.
- Underneath the car now, there is a rectangular panel which is held up by 4 or 6 10mm bolts iirc. Undo these and hold it up when taking out the last screw - the panel plus rad should slide down together.

- Refit in reverse order, remove any bleed valves, put new correct coolant in and bleed any air out - check for leaks at hoses etc.
- Run engine with cap off to bleed any air, and when fan cuts in put cap back on. Hold engine at 2500-3000 rpm just to clear any residual air locks.

Many thanks Citizen for your help and info - much appreciated. Thanks also for the quick reply. Not sure if I can do anything tomorrow, unless I can locate a rad, but will let you know how I get on. Just out of curiosity, how much clearance would I need to get the old rad out.
Anyway thanks again for your input. This forum is really good.
Best Regards
Linamp

Linamp said:

Many thanks Citizen for your help and info - much appreciated. Thanks also for the quick reply. Not sure if I can do anything tomorrow, unless I can locate a rad, but will let you know how I get on. Just out of curiosity, how much clearance would I need to get the old rad out.
Anyway thanks again for your input. This forum is really good.
Best Regards
Linamp

Click to expand...

Basically enough to slide the complete rad down past the bumper - about 2 foot at least.

Ideally the height of the radiator. However 2/3rds height should be ok as one can tilt the radiator the lower it goes.

Also check carefully where the top radiator bleed point is (on a Stilo Abarth it is on the top rhs when facing the car very well hidden and inaccessible). You must bleed the top of the radiator. On the Abarth the top rad hose is quite a few inches below the top.

Thanks Guys for all your additional info on the rad change.

Our local Fiat garage wanted over £310 to do the job. Bit steep for me so had a local guy do it for 157 + vat. Was going to attempt the job myself but really did not have the time or means to get the car high enough to do the job. Anyway all done now, so again thanks for all your input. At least the next guy looking to change the rad will know how thanks to you. Good Luck and safe motoring to you all.
Best Regards Linamp