Malikai229

iTrader: (4)

Hey guys, i recently picked up a radiator from a fellow form member (Imgon) for 50 shipped! Its oem but its better than the one i got now with a hole in it hahaha.

The point of this thread is i was looking for a writeup or something on how to replace the radiator. (1990 GXL N/A btw) but i can't find anything. I just wanna get a basic feel for what I need to go in there and do before i do it, ya know?

I replaced a radiator in a honda civic before, but it was a few years ago and i remember having issues...

Anyone with pictures or any info would be greatly appreciated!!!

I know its probably an easy swap, but when i work on cars it seems like everything goes backwards...

clokker

iTrader: (2)

Replacing the 7's rad is one of those jobs that's actually just as easy and straightforward as it looks.
Remove the fan and shroud.
Disconnect the low fluid level sender.
Undo the upper and lower rad hoses.
Undo the heater return line (smaller hose on the lower rad bung).
Undo the four bolts (2 per side) that hold in the radiator.
Done.

Since you'll be draining all the coolant (did I screw up by not mentioning that you do that first?), now would be a good time to replace the thermostat and radiator hoses if necessary.
If you have AC, now is the easiest time to clean the big AC condenser.

Install of the new rad is essentially just a reversal of the removal sequence.

Even if taking your time and studying as you go- meaning drinking a beer/smoking a cigarette and enjoying the sunshine- the whole job shouldn't take more than a few hours.
Including bleeding the coolant when done (make sure your heater is set to HOT while bleeding).
A flat rate mechanic could probably do it in about 1/2 hour to 45 minutes.

Malikai229

iTrader: (4)

Thank you for the quick response clokker!

That was pretty much all i needed, a few steps =]

Should get this project going in the next few days...

jjwalker

if you are careful, you can just unbolt the fan from the fan clutch and slide it back out of the way. That's what I did.

Malikai229

iTrader: (4)

Should i remove the drain plug from the rad and the block, or just the rad. I unbolted the plastic protective piece under the car and cant seem to find the coolent plug on the motor.

Edit: Correction, i found the plug, but its super awkward to get to plus its stuck on. Its a plug thats made almost out of plastic right? The head isn't metal at all...

EvilWankel

iTrader: (2)

Not to hijack the thread, but what is needed to clean the ac condensor???

EvilWankel

iTrader: (2)

Btw...
The most diabolical hater this side of the Mississippi LOL

RandomHero

iTrader: (2)

Pick up a Haynes/ Chilton manual if you haven't yet. It doesn't go into detail on a lot of things, but gives you the basics for just about everything. Best $20 you'll ever spend.

Malikai229

iTrader: (4)

Ok PROBLEM.

Got the radiator in. Everythings bolted up. bought the replacement radiator from someone here on the fourm. Its defentatly an S4 Radiator and my car is S5. Is that a problem? I have no where to connect the overflow hose. I know on the s4 the radiator cap is actually on the elbow where the thermostat is. I removed the cap that's on this radiator and there's a plate under it blocking off the hole.

So my questions are, do i need to plug the overflow in somewhere or is it disposable? Second question, if i remove this plate and use the radiator as it was intended to is that going to be a problem?

Quick replys would be helpful as the project is ongoing right now.

Thank you.

RotaryRocket88

iTrader: (7)

The overflow tube has to be connected, or there will be nowhere for the coolant to go after it heats up & expands. The filler could be a little bit of a problem if the opening is not the highest point in the system. The neck on the water pump housing may be higher, which means bleeding the air out will be tough.

Malikai229

iTrader: (4)

Could i just grab an s4 elbow that has the filler tube on it and do it that way? where does the filler tube hook up on the s4?

RotaryRocket88

iTrader: (7)

Yeah, the S4 & S5 thermostat housing necks are swappable. 2 bolts, reseal the thermostat, done.

jackhild59

iTrader: (7)

No, the S5 is a three bolt and is not interchangable with the S4.

I have the overflow setup on the radiator neck in my S4 turbo. The cap setups bolt onto both the radiator top and onto the thermostat neck.

Here is a picture attached to illustrate You can see that my car has the two necks *switched*.

What you need is an S4 radiator neck that has the overflow. Find one on the 2nd gen parts for sale section. The part you need comes off the S4 thermostat neck.

Good Luck!