So my radiator finally gave out. I can barely drive 5 minutes without the car overheating. I have read up on how to replace the radiator and it looks pretty straight forward. I do have a few questions though.

1) Are there any gotchas or catches when replacing the radiator?

2) Where is the coolant drain plug on the engine?

3) Do I have to replace anything at the same time? For example, it is good to replace the engine mounts and the transmission mounts at the same time.

4) My temp gauge hasn't worked in years. Do I need to replace it also?

As always, thanks for your help!

 

Radiator replacement is pretty straightforward. Drain the coolant, remove the hoses & transmission cooling lines, remove the fan shroud, unbolt the two bolts on top of the brackets, remove radiator. Assemble in reverse.

The coolant drain plug is toward the rear of the engine below the exhaust manifold. I've never drained my engine from that as mine looks majorly corroded. I just drain from the lower radiator hose.

The engine mounts can be replaced at any time without the radiator removed. I can't think of any other items to do while the radiator is removed. Pretty much all other work can be done with it in.

As far as the temp gauge is concerned, I would fix it. Check to see if it is connected to the sending unit. I don't know off the top of my head where it is located. However, if the sending unit is bad, then a good time to replace is when the coolant is drained.

 

Keep in mind I've only had my car a month, but...




I'm just thinking with the radiator out of the way it might not be a bad time to think about the timing belt, water pump, fan belts, and fan clutch. I'm getting ready to do my timing belt and I'm just thinking with the radiator gone, it might provide a little easier access. Those items may already be good on your car, but it couldn't hurt to take a look at them while you are in the area.


If it were me, I'd probably think about the radiator hoses too, since you will be draining the system, and removing them anyway. I just bought the two main hoses, since one of mine is going bad. It was only about $40 for the pair for OEM parts.




I just did my engine and transmission mounts and I don't really see any benefit to doing those when you are doing the radiator.

 

Thanks. I will be replacing it next weekend (had to order) and will reply to the post.

 

If the timing belt needs replacement, it may be a good time to do it when the radiator is out. On the other hand, when doing a timing belt, it isn't necessary to remove the radiator. Also, when doing the timing belt, I start looking at a bunch of other items to replace as well (drive belts, water pump, front engine seals, timing belt tensioner).

 

On the 240's there is plenty of space between the radiator and the front of the engine. This is what makes engine swaps so tempting to so many motorheads. There a fair amount of room in the engine bay. Changning the coolant hoses is a good idea since the coolant is already drained. While you are looking at the front of the engine see if you see any coolant weeping from the front of the water pump. Then grab the water pump pulley to see if you can feel any play. This could be difficult because the belts are attached and will pre-load the pump, but if it feels like it might be loose, now would be a good time to swap it out.