Project 34: Radiator & Hose Replacement

[Wayne at Pelican Parts]

Got any questions on Project 34 for your E36 or E30? Ask them here!

-Wayne

[i4edge]

The book and pictures look really helpful. Wish I had known about it ealier! I just ordered one tonight - a little late seeing I already have the car half-way torn apart and the book won't get here until Dec 5th, 2006!

Anyways I had bought a new water pump, fan clutch and belts. As I was taking everything off I couldn't get teh fan clutch off the waterpump! I know I am turning it the right direction but it is totally not coming off. It could be rusted on there.

Anyways if I need to replace the fan clutch it doesn't much matter. But how can I tell if the fan clutch is bad?

[Jeron]

You are having trouble removing the reverse threaded fan nut? Is it too tight or is the fan slipping out of grip and turning before the nut loosens. Try some penetrating oil.

You can test the clutch with a rolled up piece of newspaper. It should bat the newspaper out of the way and not slow the fan at all.

[BMWCowboy]

U either have 2 use a fan holding tool or use a 36mm wrench & smack it clock-wise with a hammer....I have got a rag & a long pry bar and pry aganst the pulley while smakn with hammer & wrench
LEAVE BELT ON while doing this

[944_S_type]

I replaced my raidator a couple of months back. I did not remove the fan. I just unhooked the hoses, unbolted the shroud, unclipped the radiator and slid it straight up like a book. It took all of 45 min to R&R.
Easy as pie!

[bkloster]

How in the world did you disconnect the hose that runs to the rear side section of your engine? That is tight fit and I know my hand is too big to fit back there....

[stupenal]

To remove the fan, I went to autozone and rented a Ford 4.9L fan removal tool. One of the tools included in the box is the perfect size to slip over the pulley bolts, holding them in place. Take a large 32mm wrench or 1-1/4" Wrench along with a rubber mallet and give it a good smack clockwise. It should knock it loose. I tried pulling and tugging with a friend but it didn't budge. Required the use of the mallet to break it free, I think the shock and initial force will break it free.

[HGS]

Originally posted by bkloster
How in the world did you disconnect the hose that runs to the rear side section of your engine? That is tight fit and I know my hand is too big to fit back there....

If it is the hose I think it is you do not have to disconnect it because it is not attached directly to the radiator- as I recall it runs from the overflow tank through the fan shroud and if you disconnect the fan shroud and push it back out of the away rather than removing it entirely you can leave the hose attached.

[bkloster]

Thanks, HGS. I think I will attempt it this weekend.

One other question. Am I going to have to drain the engine block of coolant when I replace the radiator and hoses, or just my radiator?

[bkloster]

Also, should I be concerned about the auto trans fluid that spills out when I disconnect the auto trans hoses from the radiator/cooler? I dont want to have to replace or add more tranny fluid after I do this..

[BMWCowboy]

U dont have to drain the block just make sure you bleed it when re-filling & usually you dont have to remove the cooler lines just
unbolt from the radiator at the bottom

[bkloster]

You mean just unbolt the entire cooler from the radiator? Someone said there are 2 bolts that hold the cooler on, one on the top and one on the bottom.

[BMWCowboy]

Yeah but I think its 2 bolts on top & 2 on bottom~~>8mm
Make sure 2 transfer the nutplates 2 the new radiator

[HGS]

You might not need to drain the engine block but it is not difficult and you end up with new coolant in your new radiator.

The amount of transmission fluid you lose is about a cup and there is no easy way to replace it. I did not replace it and have not noticed any difference.

[bkloster]

What about that small rubber hose that goes into the top of the radiator? It does not have a clamp like the other hoses. How do I loosen and remove that hose?

[BMWCowboy]

Cut the clamp off & use a new one

[BMWCowboy]

also make sure u route it correctly when goin back cuz it can hit the fan

[richtell]

I have just taken the radiator out of the car in my 99 M3 convertible, and never saw a rectangular "rubber insulator for upper radiator mount". Pelican parts lists it as needed for my year E36, part number 17-20-1-719-414-M200. Where does this mystery part go?
Thanks

[bkloster]

I'm not sure about an upper radiator mount either. The only one I know of is the rectangular rubber mounts that your radiator sits on at the bottom. Sure thats not what it means?

[bkloster]

Actually, I think I know what the upper mount is....

These should be built into the radiator itself. Look at the top of the radiator where the plastic clip fits in. Those little rectangle slits should be rubber.