9 replies to this topic

[cowboy]

here is an easy step by step guide to changing a radiator in your mini


should this ever happen to yours


tools required

7/16 af spanner
7/16 af 1/4 drive socket and ratchet
7mm socket with long extensions with 1/4 drive screwdriver (or a long flat screwdriver)

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•  100_0235.JPG   116.54K   22 downloads

Edited by cowboy, 30 October 2005 - 06:31 PM.

[cowboy]

STEP 1 removing the hoses and draining coolant


drain the radiator, this can be done in a few ways, but by undoing the bottom rad hose clamp and then removing the hose from the radiator is the way i ,ve done it, (ensure you have a container under the car to chatch the old coolant and ensure its desposed of propperlly)

then undo the top hose clamp and remove the top hose..

STEP 2

now its time to undo the bolts holing the radiator to the fan cowling, remove the rear two bolts marked

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•  rad_change_3.JPG   84.29K   34 downloads

[cowboy]

then undo the two front ones

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•  rad_change_1.JPG   88.77K   12 downloads

[cowboy]

you can then lift out the radiator

done here by nicholas (whos 8)

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•  rad_change_4.JPG   116.13K   16 downloads

[cowboy]

you can then refit the radiator,

helpful tip , when the radiator is in place only put the front top bolt in, but not all the way leave it a bit loose, so you can move the radiator a little in the cowling, then its easier to put the bottom radiator hose on, gives you more room to get your hand down the small gap and manovour the hose onto the rad..

then put the top hose on and tighten the clamps, put the 4 bolts back in and tighten, i've allways found this tool ideal for doing up the bottom rad hose clamp, a 1/4 drive screwdriver from halfords with extensions and a 7mm socket, you can also put a ratchet on it to finish tightening the clamp up (dont want that baby leaking)

Attached Files

•  rad_change_7.JPG   113.8K   15 downloads

[cowboy]

final step is to fit the overflow pipe, and top up the rad with coolant, and then your off again...

hope this helps,,


Difficulties you can get into whendoing this as some of you may know,

1, the bolts holding the radiator to the cowling may snap, (not a problem if your changing the rad)

2, the bolts round of, the back ones are the worst for this

3, they just wont budge.

then you have to remove the fan cowling complete with the radiator, sorry i dont have pictures for this, but there is a bolt that goes through the engine mount at the bottom of the cowling, remove this bolt along with the bracket on the termostate housing and you can remove the cowling aswell....

[Miniman]

lol could have done with this today while working on miniman5s mini, looks good

[Guess-Works.com]

Close and Pinned.... Nice one Cowboy

[finch661]

pictures are no longer working

[Frank the Tank]

Don't really need pictures for this.

I used this and the Haynes about a month ago and had no problems.