Removing V6 Radiator

[dipsomaniac]

have sprung another coolant leak, problem is i can't see where it is coming from although i can see coolant trickling down the front of the radiator. while looking for the leak i did notice that one of the fans wasn't connected - i think it might have been left off when last in fords. that might explain why it has been getting so hot??

 

i don't know whether to try rad weld or strip the car down somemore in order to try to establish whether it definately is the rad leaking. if so, do i remove the rad or try rad weld. can somebody give me advice?

[28vr6]

If you can identify the leak point then using a mini blow torch you could solder the hole (scrub the affected area with wire wool or similar abrasive to get a nice shiny clean metal area) which is cheaper than a new rad and infinately better than rad weld which is only a short term solution and not guaranteed to be 100% effective + clogs up the rad channels making the situation worse - less water movement = hotter running, higher pressure more splits in rad my opinion only

[dipsomaniac]

thanks 28vr6. will dismantle a bit more today and see what i find. soldering definately sounds the best option if it is the radiator.

[dipsomaniac]

has anyone removed the rad? if so, can you give me some tips? do i need to dismantle any of the air con system?

[dipsomaniac]

i need some help on this one. have stripped down some of the front end and am sure it is the rad that is leaking. i have a collection of haynes manuals for various cars but not the galaxy as the manual doesn't cover the v6 engine.

 

can somebody with a mk1 haynes manual tell me if it covers removing the front bumper (complete) and also the condenser and radiator. i have been told by somebody on another forum that the unit comes out as a cassette?

 

any help would be appreciated.

[Steve P]

Quick look at the Ford TIS suggests:-

 

Remove front grille and left hand headlamp (!)

 

Disconnect the various brackets and things that will get in your way.

 

Remove the fans

 

Detach and move out of the way the - aircon radiator. No suggestion that you actually remove it.

 

The radiator goes out through the bottom.

 

I have abreviated this A LOT. I don't have time to retype the whole lot and it seems you cannot cut and paste from the TIS.

 

I would recommend getting a Ford TIS off ebay - dead cheap - packed full of info - some of it is useful.

 

Cheers

Steve

 

PS. This is taken from the procedure for the V6.

Edited August 29, 2007 by Steve P

[dipsomaniac]

thanks steve. i do have a tis but the manual only covers the 2000.75 model. can you copy to clipboard on your tis? can you confirm that i can remove the rad without disconnecting condenser and discharging a/c.

[Steve P]

Hi - the procedure I looked at was for a car with aircon and there was no reference to disconnecting the condenser or discharging the aircon. Cheers

[dipsomaniac]

that will be a huge relief and save me a fortune if i don't have to remove condenser and therefore discharge a/c