Radiator Installation Guide
Below is the process that we have used for over 20 years to install radiators while making sure that the best overall result for the cooling system is obtained.
- Before removing the radiator inspect the whole cooling system including the hoses, the water pump area and the heater tap. Often these parts may be leaking or faulty as well as the radiator. If the cooling system has failed the whole system has been under stress.
- The whole cooling system (with the heater on) should be flushed, before the radiator is removed, with a specific radiator flush. This can be bought through us when the radiator is ordered. 500ml container is enough for most vehicles. Drain the cooling system completely. Add flush and fill with fresh water before removal of old radiator, run engine with heater on for 10 minutes and then flush completely with again with fresh water. Most cars you can connect a standard garden hose into a heater pipe to aid flushing.
- The radiator should then be removed. We also recommend removing the thermostat and inspecting. We replace any thermostat that has any score marks on the centre section. This indicates that at certain times the thermostat has been sticking. Many radiators have failed due to faulty thermostats. A sticking thermostat will cause your new radiator to fail.
- Check old radiator and new radiator match. Swap over any clips or nuts from old to new and reinstall new radiator. Always replace hose clamps as they very often do not hold the correct tension once used.
- Fill the new radiator the 5 litres coolant and top up with water (available from us when a radiator is bought). Run the motor and depending on the vehicle you may need to bleed the system of air through the cooling system bleed screw. Allow the vehicle to warm up until you have confirmed that the thermostat has opened and the thermo fans have cycled on and off. Re-inspect the complete cooling system for leaks around hoses etc.
- Top up radiator with extra coolant if required (be very careful
if you are taking the cap off a hot cooling system that is under
pressure). Inspect the radiator cap for swelling or cracks in the
rubber. If faulty then replace.
If you are not comfortable to do the above work then please get a mechanic to install.