Changing a radiator

timbob · 20 Jun 2006 at 20:52

The radiator on my 106gti is looking a bit bashed up and sorry for itself, and there are a few small leaks (moist patches really) on the front. The car is running a notch warmer than it usually does, and is 500ml of coolant down on normal, so I'm going to change it after work on friday - got a good price on a new rad.

Any hints or tips either specific for this car, or for changing radiators in general? It only has a one spanner rating in the haynes book of lies, so it can't be too hard

ci_newman · 20 Jun 2006 at 21:17

I dont know what the bottom hose connection is like on the 106 but the 306 one is a PITA... I'd recommend changing the O-ring seal when you change it otherwise you might find it leaks a little

Firestar_3x · 20 Jun 2006 at 22:14

Changing the rad is the easy bit imho, getting the bleed sequence right and getting all the air locks out is more time consuming and harder, imho.

timbob · 20 Jun 2006 at 22:21

Firestar_3x said:
Changing the rad is the easy bit imho, getting the bleed sequence right and getting all the air locks out is more time consuming and harder, imho.

Any hints on how to do it properly?

As far as I'm aware, the idea is to:

1. Make sure all pipes are put back, all bleed valves open from when you originally drained the system.
2. Use a cut down plastic bottle upside down as a header, then pour in coolant.
3. Wait until there's coolant coming out of the lowest bleed valve, then do it up.
4. Repeat with the other bleed valves, doing them up bottom to top.
5. Run the engine until the fan cuts in.
6. Check level of coolant again and top up if necessary.

Is this right? Anything I've missed out?