Cooling

My cooling system needs a bit of an overhaul and was looking for some tips on how to do it.
I was going to flush the system, remove and clean out the rad. Then replace the thermostat, thermal switch and poss the water pump.
I did read that its easier to do by raising the rear of the car to drain the fluid - this shouldn't be a problem as I'll be doing the job at my local garage on a ramp. Any other tips appreciated.

Are any of the parts I'm after compatible with other engines ie. available at motor factors (my usual place is GSF) or are they dealer only parts?

Thx
Chris

Chris.

Removing the rad involves removing the front bumper, which should be easy but I found a pain in the ass due to all the siezed nuts etc. Ended up cutting most off and replacing with stainess ones!

Cheers
Brad

Yes that will be the biggest pain if it's not been removed recently .Water pump ....Mr Dell has just snaffled a few and there is one on ebay at the moment .R25 V6 Turbo .
Rad need a damn good flush and check .Remove the two drain plugs on the engine block .Check the hoses to that silly oil filter cooler .Check rad temp switch and water pump sensors .
Or take a drive to Derbyshire
www.renaultalpinetuningservices.co.uk

Another tip... if you can find a nice radiator repair man, get him to put a drain off plug in the bottom of the radiator then it's easier to get the sludge out.

and you need to plan it carefully, as the rad does sit on a cross member. Decide where you can and can't have a secondary drain plug before you take the rad off the car.

...and if you have a 4 core rad made then remember it's thicker and will foul the upper inner nose unless you make it shorter

Lee, is it possible to get another one of those rads made? Cheers Martin

Yes Martin .
The guy is just round the corner from me .I can make it a direct replacement this time though ...no cutting the subframe to make it fit
It can be 3 or 4 core ( as shown) but will need to be slightly shorter to clear the inner bodywork .I'll see what std cores sizes are available .

I had a couple made last year, Still have one spare.

They have the drain off plug as well.

Ok, great. Big is beautiful for what I want, cutting ain't nothing new as you know ;P looking for the maximum area I can get see

I think there's a missed opportunity there, start some govt sponsored quango to reduce global warming by taking away everybodies radiator from their car.. would be almost as stupid as the catalytic converter was...

Cheers for the replies guys - I did send Mr Dell an email asking if he wants to sell me a water pump, but I've not had a reply back. Otherwise is £80 off ebay the right sort of price for a pump or should I try my local dealer?

I'll have a word about fitting another drain plug on the rad, but I don't think that'll happen for a bit.

Clee: I did consider bringing the car round to you, but don't think I could afford it. I'm not saying you're expensive, its just that here's quite a bit that needs doing apart from the cooling.

Rupert: it turns out the Rangey isn't getting fuel, so the pump may be dead as well ... The original prob was it having no spark, so I replaced the coil/dizzy/battery ... I'll be trying to get the custom made (small) tank off to get at the pump this weekend.

[BIG_MVS]

I did put the water pump ebay thread on the forum for people to keep these cars on the road and not for profit so hopefully he will let you have one at cost if you join the club

You'd be suprised just how cheap I am
Seriously ,I'm looking at around £25/hr but can offer a discount rate to RAOC members and a flat rate/job on some stuff
I can get the water pump from my local factor should be around £65 incl vat .

I did put the water pump ebay thread on the forum for people to keep these cars on the road and not for profit so hopefully he will let you have one at cost if you join the club

[stephendell]

so hopefully he will let you have one at cost if you join the club

I'm sure we can do a deal

And I understand the rest of them headed somewhere not too far from Belfast...