Also a good time to work on (replace) your heater control valve.

Karl Wolz
----- Original Message -----
From: "Karl F. Bloss" <bloss@ENTER.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, April 04, 2000 7:57 AM
Subject: Re: Radiator Remove/Replace

> John,
>
> > Checked Bentley's on Remove/Replace procedure, but didn't find one.  Is
this
> > a straight forward procedure or are there some tricks to know before
> > starting.
>
> It's pretty straight-forward, but there are a few things that I found to
be
> worth noting:
>
> * You'll need to remove the spare tire and spare carrier.
>
> * Make sure you unplug the temp sensor wiring on the right front,
otherwise you
> risk shearing it off when the radiator comes down.
>
> * The sucker is heavy.  I used 2 jackstands to support it and then lowered
it
> with a jack.
>
> * The fins are sharp and can cut you.  Wear gloves.
>
> * Coolant stays hot for a long time.  Let the van sit overnight to avoid
scalds.
>
> * If you have AC, the condenser is mounted to the the radiator and it must
come
> down as a unit, then separated on the ground because of the way they swing
> apart.  This could be tricky if you still have refrigerant lines attached.
>
> * Check out the lines to your front heater core while the radiator is out.
>
> * When reinstalling, those pegs at the top are a bear to line up.  Again,
a
> jack helps.  A buddy to help guide it in is even better.
>
> Can't think of anything else right now...
>
> -Karl
>
> Karl and Kristina Bloss, Trexlertown, PA
> '87 Westfalia Weekender  "Beverley" - 195K miles
> http://www.enter.net/~bloss/vw/
> PA/NJ Vanagon owner's mailing list:
http://www.enter.net/~bloss/vw/pavanagon/
>