12 replies to this topic

[kiwi1275GT]

Just a quick question, does it matter which way to put the rad fan on, if so which way should it face?

[Spitz]

Just a quick question, does it matter which way to put the rad fan on, if so which way should it face?

It does matter.
Smooth side towards engine "ribbed" side toward radiator

[kiwi1275GT]

Dammit, mine is on the other way around as someone told me thats what it should be, but im overheating, thought something was wrong - is there an easy way of changing it, or is it out with the radiator?

[Disco Dan]

Four bolts hold it on. Slack off the alternator a tad undo the bolts and it will come off, dont lose the spacer if fitted. The bolts are fairly long - not sure if you can get it clear with rad in place but someone else will know that bit!!

[kiwi1275GT]

Ok, been trying to get the rad out for more than an hour now, its got too dark outside so I will have to try again after work tomorrow.

Undid the bottom rad hose at the water pump and top rad hose and the bottom and top rad brackets (where it bolts onto cowling) and it would not fit between the fan and car body, so i took the cowling off the rad but then it wouldn't come out because the bottom rad hose sits under the cowling and I cant get the bottom rad hose undone, grrr!!!

Will try again in daylight tomorrow, any tips?

[Disco Dan]

Ok, been trying to get the rad out for more than an hour now, its got too dark outside so I will have to try again after work tomorrow.

Undid the bottom rad hose at the water pump and top rad hose and the bottom and top rad brackets (where it bolts onto cowling) and it would not fit between the fan and car body, so i took the cowling off the rad but then it wouldn't come out because the bottom rad hose sits under the cowling and I cant get the bottom rad hose undone, grrr!!!

Will try again in daylight tomorrow, any tips?

If you do end up removing rad - you can leave bottom hose on, just remove top hose (fluid loss will be minimal then). Undo top rad bracket, allow rad to tilt towards wing on it's bottom mount. Remove cowling. Remove bolts securing fan.

[Guess-Works.com]

you will find that the std plastic fan will have ENGINE SIDE written on one side

[kiwi1275GT]

Bugger, wish i knew that before. a well meaning but obviously not so mini knowledgeable mechanic told me to put it on the wrong way around when i was putting the engine back together before dropping the whole lot back into the car.

now i just need to know how to get the rad back out to swap it around.

[kiwi1275GT]

Ok so I have spent another half hour out in the rain and still no luck, the bottom rad hose is now off but you cant fit the connector past the cowling so the rad cowling and fan are still stuck in the hole - how frustrating

[Disco Dan]

Ok so I have spent another half hour out in the rain and still no luck, the bottom rad hose is now off but you cant fit the connector past the cowling so the rad cowling and fan are still stuck in the hole - how frustrating

Sounds like your bottom bracket is still attached, manual says this: (abbreviated)

"Remove the top bracket holding the rad to the thermostat housing. Remove the two bolts securing the cowling to the rad (on each side). Use a socket and long extension through grill opening (grill removed) and remove the long through bolt securing the radiator to the bottom mount. Rad should just lift off and out."

Good chance to inspect your rad, clean any debris out of fins and then back flush it with a hose. If really old dont use strong water jet like hose attachment - you will lose all your fins!

Fan is held on with four long bolts. There may also be a spacer so take care when removing. Dont forget to slacken off the alternator, it will come off but you wont get it back on with a tight fan belt!

Edited by Disco Dan, 11 March 2009 - 09:02 AM.

[GraemeC]

You sound like you have the early two piece 'square' cowling - these can be a nightmare to get the radiator out. The procedure listed above is for the later single piece rounded cowling (there is also a very early one piece 'square' cowling).

So from the early Haynes:
At the base of the radiator undo and remove the two short bolts that secure the lower support bracket to the engine
mounting (see illustration). If necessary remove the front grille panel to provide greater access.
Undo and remove the bolts securing the fan cowlings to the radiator, move the cowlings as far as possible toward the engine and carefully lift out the radiator. If a two piece cowling is fitted, lift off the top half.

[kiwi1275GT]

HA, got it sussed at last, in the end I just got frustrated and used brute force to pull the rad out, bending the bottom hose connector and cowling in the process but they bent back straight after wards.

The problem, simple as it always is, was that the little spacer in the bottom cowling bracket, had pushed across into the bolt hole, not allowing the cowling to move back out of the way. Now i know this can happen its pretty easy to sort out.

After a couple of hours messing about, once i figured it out it took literally 5 mins to get the rad out, change the fan around, put back rad and re-connect and have her running again.

Cheers for your help.

[Spitz]

HA, got it sussed at last, in the end I just got frustrated and used brute force to pull the rad out, bending the bottom hose connector and cowling in the process but they bent back straight after wards.

The problem, simple as it always is, was that the little spacer in the bottom cowling bracket, had pushed across into the bolt hole, not allowing the cowling to move back out of the way. Now i know this can happen its pretty easy to sort out.

After a couple of hours messing about, once i figured it out it took literally 5 mins to get the rad out, change the fan around, put back rad and re-connect and have her running again.

Cheers for your help.

Good to hear you have it sorted. Has putting the fan on the right way solved your overheating issue?