Is my radiator gubbed?

Post by **simon** » Wed Mar 28, 2007 9:41 pm

Have had to fill up with coolant a few times in the last few months so I reckon the radiator's knackered. Looking through the vents in the service panel, there's a section of foam below the hose leading off the top let of the radiator. The foam is soaked in what I assume is coolant, the foam on the opposite side is dry

So, what's the likely scenario?
I'm prepared for it being the radiator and have looked on Eliseparts. They do 2 uprated versions, any suggestions on which one to go for?
Also how big a deal is it to change the rad? Ideally I'd do it myself but I'm asuming it's a clam off job on the S2 so might need a helping hand. Must get it done in time for the Teeside trackday though!

Post by ed » Wed Mar 28, 2007 9:53 pm

Bad luck matey. Id probably go for the cheaper one if i were you. Not sure if the extra cost is worth it for the more expensive one.
Hope you get it sorted soon!

bertieduff · Post by **bertieduff** » Wed Mar 28, 2007 9:59 pm

Well, I managed it no bother and I can't even tie my shoelaces.

Took me a couple of days, but I was being slow and careful.

Went for the cheaper of the two uprated ones from eliseparts and it's been fine- far better kit than the tupperware original.

Geary@eliseparts said they had some problems with radiators being different from expected on some S2's, but sent him a snap of the old one to make sure and it turned up next day.

Actually quite fun.

bertieduff · Post by **bertieduff** » Wed Mar 28, 2007 10:01 pm

(mine went in far more spectacular fashion- soaking a passing cyclist with a jet out the bonnet

)

Papped myself

Post by **simon** » Wed Mar 28, 2007 10:07 pm

I'll pop the service panel off tomorrow to have a better look and take some pics.

Ed, is that advice based on your vast mechanical knowledge or just the fact that it's cheaper?

Post by ed » Wed Mar 28, 2007 10:38 pm

Cheaper and i reckon the other one is overkill!

SteveBanks · Post by **SteveBanks** » Wed Mar 28, 2007 10:51 pm

When the end cap went on my 111s radiator, a large puddle formed under the car when it was sitting idling. If the only signs are wet foam under the hose and having to top up coolant then it might just be the hose that needs tightened or the clip replaced. Not sure about the S2, but this was a common problem on S1â€™s.

Take the clam off first to check before ordering a radiator. If it is the radiator then I don't see any point in getting the more expensive larger capacity one unless you already had temp problems. It's the crimped plastic ends that are the problem and the cheaper of the upgraded versions addresses this.

albutch · Post by **albutch** » Wed Mar 28, 2007 11:10 pm

I went for the cheaper of the two, had to drill some holes in the flanges (ooer) on the new rad, maybe because its an aircon car (?)

roadboy · Post by **roadboy** » Wed Mar 28, 2007 11:44 pm

Yeah, go for the £199 one. Al is correct, the air-con rads are different. I believe Eliseparts can supply the correct one if you specify when ordering.

HTH

Dan@JPS

p.s. S1's did leak from the hoses but S2's don't tend to do this. Its bound to be the rad.

Weird that the foam was dry when you were down the other day Simon. If the foam's soaked in coolant them the clam's gonna have to come off. If you need any help give me a buzz.

Post by **simon** » Wed Mar 28, 2007 11:59 pm

roadboy wrote:Weird that the foam was dry when you were down the other day Simon. If the foam's soaked in coolant them the clam's gonna have to come off. If you need any help give me a buzz.

I blame the curse of Ed, it was parked at his flat for half a day

Post by **simon** » Sun Apr 01, 2007 2:03 pm

Looking at the service manual, it says you need a specific tool to pressurise the coolant when filling it up after changing the rad. Do I really need that or is there an alternative way of doing it?

Rich H · Post by **Rich H** » Sun Apr 01, 2007 5:43 pm

Eazibleed works just as well (One of the caps will fit the expansion tank) but you only need a few PSI, like 3 to 5 max IIRC, 25psi definatly a bad idea...

mac · Post by **mac** » Sun Apr 01, 2007 5:45 pm

Rubber glove & a compressor - jobs a donut

Mac

bertieduff · Post by **bertieduff** » Sun Apr 01, 2007 5:57 pm

I was worried about this but just ended up bleeding it at the front n/s wheelarch point with the car running and it was fine. Burny fingers if you not careful though

Post by **simon** » Sun Apr 01, 2007 6:50 pm

RICHARDHUMBLE wrote:Eazibleed works just as well

Great, will order that at the same time as the radiator then