Changing S1 Radiator +++

[les]

So over the next couple of weekends I'm going to finally install the Jenveys and complete the work I started almost 3 years ago!! My coolant is clouded with what looks like rust from most likely the heater matrix (rusted) so I'm going to replace it and the radiator itself which I believe is also weeping at the plastic sides. Looking through the archives, the radiator of choice appears to be the 42mm High Capacity Radiator http://www.elise-shop.com/aluminium-hig ... p-345.html.

What I'm not sure about is the pipes and the fan itself. Should I just replace them as matter of course? The way this repair is going, I'm not going to have the time to review parts and then order which obviously would be the ideal situation to be in. Are two fans better than one?? Anything else I should be looking at replacing other than the tow post/driving lights etc. ?

Thoughts greatly welcomed

[robin]

Two fans only better in the sense that if one fails the other might still work (unless you have aircon or 1000s of horse power).

Definitely replace the fan while the rad is out - and make sure you have a fixing kit (unless the rad comes with it anyway) because all the little brackets and bolts will be rusted to the point of being useless.

I think the hoses are less of an issue and probably not that cheap - I cannot remember one failing, though you do get weeping bleed nipples - your call.

Cheers,
Robin

[campbell]

All rad pipes on UJI are original, at the front at least.

I have an all-alu rad but not sure that it's high-flow or whatever. In any case, it's highly efficient, or perhaps just a lazy stat (observed by Robin)!

Good luck with the overhaul. Just make sure it's all back together for the camping season...

[les]

Thanks Campbell/Robin,

Just ordered the Radiator/Fan/Fan fitting kit some corrosion block. Demisterman heater matrix is sitting in the garage. Anything else I should be looking at while the clam is off? the tow mount appears to be in decent nick and was epoxy-ed a few years ago. Finally whats the best way to clear out the coolant pipes, anyone used the Holts Rad Flush or similar??

[robin]

I think I would just use (a lot of) water.

[Dominic]

I changed my rad in a few months ago. Was not too scary a project. I would definitely change the towing post while you have the calm off - I know of another SE'r who recently had their's fail and mince their clam. I thought mine was okay,until I went to change it,to discover the base was rotten - it would have failed if used in anger. I am on hols just now,but will stick up some photos when I get five mins

[Dominic]

Here's the tow post i changed on my car. I had no idea it was this bad....

[Dominic]

Work in progress with a little helper

[Corranga]

I just started this today, 4 hours to get the clam off and tidy the garage. My dremmel is now both my best friend and worst enemy! It's ground down 4 cap heads (I bet you can all guess which ones too!) And cut slots in another 5 inner arch bolts.

My hint from today is don't undo all of the light fittings and start undoing the harness to clam fixings then read the instruction again and realise you just unplug the clam loom, meaning you have to go and put it all back...

My question is, any hints on removing the coin trays, don't want to break them nor bore a hole in the sill.


Took some pics all might start a thread of my own. I suspect this might become a mini front end rebuild...

[campbell]

Why do you want the coin trays out?

[Corranga]

Why do you want the coin trays out?

The captive bits of the clam fixings and arch liner have fallen into the sill, and I thought those were the only 2 ways in?

[campbell]

Aha.

Robin may propose WMDs eg hole saw!