Last modified 27 Aug, 2006

While removing the busted air con condenser in order to fit a replacement I noticed the coolant radiator was also busted up pretty bad. The lower half of the radiator had no fins whatsoever which explained the movement of the temp gauage while flying along the road. Oh joy. So I managed to get hold of a 2nd hand radiator that looked in pretty good nick, well all the fins were there for starters which was a plus for sure.

Anyhow the old rad in situ looked like

replacement rad looked like

Now the biggest problem with removing the radiator is trying to get everything past the front bumper, you can change the coolant radiator without removing the bumper. However, since we knew we would have to remove the bumper to fit the air con (much easier) and also be able to measure up for the pre rad we just went ahead and removed the bumper. The top pick also has the front cross member removed also. Makes access that much simpler. The biggest problem with removing the front bumper is the fog lights. The mounting screws holding these in are made from monkey metal. After 10 years on the car there aint no way they will come off without a fit. I tried and the metal just turned to dust. To save a lot of time the mounting bolts were just drilled out. Then the fog lights just pulled out with minimum hassle.

Now rather than me explain how to take off the front bumper I shall point you in the direction of the guide I used to get this to happen. I say I but it was Calum that did most of the work (he is a star!) Osman Ullah wrote a very good guide heartily recommended read. I would say however that we never removed the headlights. Just took off the plastic shroud's and then removed the bumper bolts with a rachet. Its up to you whether you find taking the lights out easier but my hands fitted in no bother so we just left the lights in situ.

The front bumper was off in about 90 minutes but will be quicker next time round as all the hard work has been done. The fog lights have still to be done but that will happen in due course. Not like I use them much anyway. Some new plastic mesh has been placed roughly in position to protect the radiator and a neater solution will be exercised when the job is finished.

Right not long back from fitting the new (2nd hand again) air con rad and here it is in situ, note also the lower crossmember has been straightened out. It was easy enough to straighten (one of calum's feet + his body weight = straight cross member).



On another note, do I re-fit the fog lights or leave the car with this front end?