Mk2 Ph1 172 Radiator change help

[colm_gti]

Started trying to change my radiator this morning after my old one burst, and have run into difficulty..

I've gotten as far as bumper and grill off.

1. Whats the best way to go about emptying the coolant out of the system? I've got both under engine covers and bumper off, and can't get at the jubilee clip holding the pipe on with a pliers to free it.

2. Whats the best way to go about getting the rad itself out? I heard someone say to take the cross member out, but it's welded to the section that joins it to the chassis, and the bolts are too long to take out with the air con rad in place.

 

[nathanH]

you will need to remove the cross member, its only bolted in (2 bolts either side) then pull the top of the rad forward to get some plyers on the bottom jubilee clip, pop it off and drain the coolant.

 

[davebem]

Take the lower rad hose off to drain it. Its easy to get to once the airbox is off. Theres 2 ways to remove it. If you cannot get the cross member off you can unbolt the fan assembly from the back of the rad, pull that out the way from the top. Now with a bit of wiggling the rad will come out the top too after unbolting the air con rad.