If you need to remove the radiator, regardless of the reason that caused this need, start work only when you are sure that the car engine is completely cool. If you are confident that you can cope with this task on your own, adhere to all safety rules and follow a clear sequence of actions.
- First, you need to disconnect the negative cable from the battery, after which you should use a jack to raise the front of the car and fix it securely on the supports.
- Now you can remove the lower mudguards and drain all the liquid from the cooling system (it is important to pour out all the liquid, if it is in good condition, leave it and reuse it in the future).
- Disconnect the coolant temperature sensor connector from the radiator, and also disconnect the expansion tank hose from it. Loosen the clamps of the lower and upper hoses, separate the hoses themselves from the radiator pipes. Sometimes the hoses are difficult to remove, in which case you can use pliers. At the same time, perform all operations carefully so as not to damage the radiator pipes. Old and damaged (damaged) hoses can simply be cut - they can still not be used anyway.
- Remove the motor relay box and upper fan cowl, you can now disconnect the fan connector as well. In vehicles with automatic transmission, carefully separate the coolant pipes and seal the openings tightly.
- Now you can start dismantling the radiator. To do this, remove the mounting bolts and carefully lift the radiator itself, while being careful not to spill coolant. To finally remove the radiator, you must first remove the bolts that secured the fan to it.
- Handle antifreeze with the utmost care - do not let it get on painted parts of the car or on open areas of the body. If the antifreeze has spilled, try to rinse it off with plenty of water as soon as possible. Remember that antifreeze is a deadly liquid and should never be left open or spilled.
- After removing the radiator, carefully inspect it for leaks or damage, and if repair is required, have it handled by a specialist.
