Radiator removal/refit

[FarmerFox]

Hello chaps, long time no speak!!

My 2002 s type has sprung an almighty water leak, and unfortunately the radiator is at fault. Has anyone changed one before and how was it to do? I've heard it can be a !Removed!, but others have said its not too bad, just a long job. Should I attempt it myself at home or just get it booked in while I'm at work?

Josh

[Old Peter]

Hi Josh,

 

When there is a long job to be done I usually calculate how much my time is worth as against how much the labour costs are.

 

It could be a long job, and it could be raining!

 

Regards,

 

Peter.

[FarmerFox]

Thanks Peter. I might just book it in then it would be easier and we can't exactly predict the British weather!! Cheers

Josh

[mk1escortmad]

Out of interest. Does your radiator look a little bowed from underneath? Seems quite a common problem caused by it twisting

[Mike_eng]

Hi Josh,

 

Mine went last summer and I had them(!) done at a local specialist for about a thousand pounds, it turned out that more than just the main rad needed changing.

 

The point is, when I dropped by the whole of the front of the car including the front bumper, bonnet and the wheels were neatly laid out next to the car. Despite the cost I'm glad I didn't try it myself but you may be more adventurous than me!

[jpvd]

mine blew a couple of weeks back when i was just joining the M62 motorway. Rang the AA and they took 4 hours to recover, broke down at 3pm, got home at 9.30pm.....i was'nt a happy bunny and made sure they knew it (member since 1978). Fast forward to next day (saturday) at 9am a jaguar/land rover customer service van pulled up on driveway and a brilliant mechanic proceeded to find the fault ( which was a blown radiator) and swapped it over. Took him about 4 hours, without removing the bumper or lower shield - didn't even jack the car up. Best bit was no charge and he explained that he had been contacted the day before and asked to make sure my car was fixed asap, as a way of saying sorry for the mess up.....he also explained how the highways agency will have given them a b*****ing since they have to recover you from the motorway within an hour....

 

i watched him during the process and it wasn't a bad job. I asked him how he found it working on jags and land rovers and he just said its like any car, just take your time and don't rush......

 

Also whilst you are doing the radiator, swap out your water pump and belt (if not already done)....both easy jobs

[FarmerFox]

Hi everyone,

The jobs now all done, the bottom 4 galleries had cracked and bowed the bottom out in a very strange manner, almost as though there was excessive ice build up either in or on it. Don't know if anyone else has had this before, it certainly the first I've seen to fail like this. Thanks for the advise, much appreciated.

Josh