Radiator — removal and installation

During the operation of the car, the narrow channels of the radiator can become clogged with lime deposits, as well as sediments from the coolant. This reduces the cooling effect and the engine may overheat. In this case, the radiator should be removed and flushed with a normal descaling agent, following the instructions of the agent manufacturer. In most cases, however, it is necessary to change the radiator.

Removing

1. Disconnect the wire terminal «masses» (-) from the battery.

Attention! This deletes data from the memory devices, for example, the security code of the radio. Before disconnecting the battery, please read the chapter «Battery - removal and installation».

2. Place the vehicle on jack stands.

3. Remove if equipped with engine mudguard.

4. Drain the coolant into a suitable container.

5. Disconnect the radiator fan power plug.

6. SCENIC vehicles with air conditioning. Remove both front turn signals.

7. Loosen the clamp of the top coolant circulation hose on the radiator with pliers and remove the hose. If necessary, cut the pressed clamp with side cutters and install a clamp instead of it when connecting the hose.

8. Disconnect the wire from the thermal switch on the radiator.

9. Disconnect the wire of the electric fan blowing the radiator. If necessary, disconnect the plugs of the respective relays.

10. Unscrew the two upper bolts A of the radiator (see illustration).




11. Cars with air conditioning. Unscrew the air dryer mounting bolts (see arrows in illustration) and hang the dryer on the engine without disconnecting the hoses from it.

Attention! Skin contact with air conditioner refrigerant can cause frostbite.

12. Remove the grille, see the relevant chapter.

13. Unscrew 6 bolts of fastening of a radiator cross member (see arrows in illustration).



14. Disconnect the air intake hose, see relevant chapter.

15. Unscrew bolts of fastening of a reservoir of the hydraulic booster of a steering and fix a reservoir on the engine, without disconnecting hoses from it.


16. Unscrew four bolts of fastening of a radiator and remove it.

17. Cars with air conditioning. Unscrew the four bolts securing the radiator of the air conditioner with which it is attached to the radiator and remove the radiator (see illustration).

Attention! Radiator cooling fins have fairly sharp edges. It is recommended to use work gloves when removing the radiator.

Attention! If the radiator will be in the removed position for more than 48 hours, rinse it with clean water, blow it with compressed air and close the radiator holes with plugs. The radiator can also be filled with coolant by plugging the holes. Otherwise, corrosion will form on the internal surfaces of the radiator, which can subsequently cause leakage.

Installation

18. Install, if necessary, the old thermal switch and electric fan on the new radiator.

19. Check the condition of all coolant circulation hoses for cuts, cracks or other damage. Replace hoses if necessary. Also check the condition of the radiator mounting rubber pads.


20. Get the radiator into the engine compartment in such a way that the radiator mounting supports go into the pillows on the bracket.

21. Screw on the radiator fan.

22. Cars with air conditioning. Screw the air conditioner radiator to the radiator.

23. Reinstall the upper radiator cross member.

24. Connect the upper and lower hoses to the radiator and secure them with clamps.

25. Replace the power steering reservoir.

26. Connect the air intake hose.

27. Replace the radiator grill, see the relevant chapter.

28. Cars with air conditioning. Connect the air conditioner dryer.

29. Attach the radiator to the top cross member.

30. Install, if available, the engine mudguard.

31. Lower the car.

32. Scenic cars with air conditioning. Replace the front direction indicators.

33. Connect the wires to the thermal switch, the radiator fan and, if disconnected, the relay plugs.

34. Fill in coolant.

35. Connect the wire terminal to the negative pole of the battery «masses» (-).

36. Set the clock.

37. Enter, if necessary, the code into the radio.

38. Warm up the engine and check the tightness of the cooling hoses.

39. Check the coolant level and top up if necessary.