Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Radiator Replacement??

Hey everyone,

I've looked under the above subject lines for anything on replacing the radiator and I haven't found much. If you know of any other posts, please clue me in. Otherwise, I have a question: How hard/expensive it is to replace a damaged radiator? What are the general steps? Thanks a lot for any help.

-Alex

The procedure is done from underneath the car, it is not a big deal but could turn into a PITA. example - last time i tried it, i busted the a/c condenser. so if you do not want that to happen and you do not feel like opening your a/c system and loosing your freon, cut a cartboard and stick it between the radiator and the condenser. then unhook the wires from the fans and take it down together

Heh, how much was the condensor, I think I messed it up when I was driving. Is it the core directly behind the lower grill of the front bumper and infront of the radiator?

it was about 140 from advance autoparts www.partsamerica.com
yes it is the front small radiator looking thing. and if you busted it - you should see greenish residue from the freon escaping and sure enough there will be no A/C

Radiator replacement How-To..

Step 1. Contact Todras on CEG to order a CD for your car which includes this information..
(I will give you the ENTIRE write up THIS time.. first one is a freebie... the next one is $95 (the cd is only $8 SHIPPED) so it would be smart to buy it..)



CLICK THE PICTURES FOR FULL SCREEN VERSIONS!!!!


Radiator


Removal

1. Disconnect the battery ground cable.

2. Drain the cooling system.

�µ 3. Disconnect the fan resistor electrical connector. (just below, and the to side of the radiator fan)



4. Lower the vehicle.

�µ 5. Disconnect the cooling fan electrical connectors. (two seperate connectors next to each other, each with plastic mating clips)


�µ 6. Disconnect the ground cable. (re-torque to 12Nm)


Vehicles fitted with A/C
�µ 7. Disconnect the A/C electrical connector.

�µ 8. Disconnect the A/C low pressure switch electrical connector.


All vehicles
�µ 9. Unclip the cooling fan and fan resistor cables.


Vehicles fitted with automatic transaxle
�µ 10. Disconnect the transaxle upper cooling line. (re-torque to 27Nm)


All vehicles
�µ 11. Disconnect the radiator lower hose.


Vehicle fitted with automatic transaxle
�µ 12. Disconnect the transaxle lower cooling line. (re-torque to 27Nm)


All vehicles
�µ 13. Disconnect the radiator upper hose.


14. Raise and support the vehicle. For additional information, refer to �«Section 100-02�».

Vehicles fitted with A/C
�µ 15. Secure the A/C condensor.


�µ 16. Remove the A/C condensor bolts. Re-torque to 4Nm)


l Remove the two bolts.

All vehicles
�µ 17. Remove the radiator.

l Remove the four bolts. (re-torque to 10Nm)


l Remove the radiator.


Installation

�µ 1. To install, reverse the removal procedure.



Ray

Thanks man, very helpful diagrams. I will look into a ford service cd.