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156 V6 radiator (with aircon)

2K views 10 replies 6 participants last post by  PhilzAlfa 
#1 ·
Well I have had my car so long the radiator has gone again :cry:

The last time it was replaced was 6 years ago and was done by a main dealer. Apparently they removed the front bumper to get it out.

My question is whether anyone has done this job before on a 156 V6 with aircon (1998) and if they could tell me roughly how they went about it and how long it took them. I've heard rumours that the radiator can be dropped out of the bottom of the car and I can probably borrow a vehicle inspection pit in order to do this, if it is possible. I really don't fancy removing the bumper. I've replaced radiators on other cars, but nothing as complex as this.

The leak is getting bigger and I need to decide whether to have a go myself or whether to let the dealer do it. Comments please!
 
#4 ·
I used the same method as Chris's write up but eventually found that I couldn't get around the aircon pipes so struggled to release mine ffrom the front through the plastic mesh in the bumper and over the top of the rad (after removing all the fixing holes that I could find).
The trouble is that the aircon cooler rad is screwed to the front of the radiator once you have this unscrewed and the cooling fans removed it comes out of the top of the car!!!!
but if I were to do it again I would remove the bumper its not as bad as you think.
See my post on replacing headlights (bumper removal involved) http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/alfa-147-156-and-gt/210931-lucas-156-headlamps-on-ebay-any-good.html
 
#5 ·
I replaced the aircon rad at the same time, no gas in the system and a few big dings that could've been the cause of the lack of gas.

I found my biggest issue replacing the mounting screws that snapped of the old rad, I wasn't prepared for that. Local hardware store sorted that out.
 
#6 ·
My issues were couldn't seem to get the aircon out the way enough also couldn't get at all the radiator trim panel screws to refit them ( you know the awkward plastic blanking bits to the sides of rad)

I was suprised how easily the bumper was to get off though, mind you it help having refitted a resprayed one for a friend previously.;)

Andy

Ps my rad was a cheap one of fleabay and a bloody good fit ( you have to keep the plastic elbow from the bottom of the old rad though)
 
#7 ·
Thanks for the comments. I don't know how I missed Chris's write up on this job. Not an easy job then! I changed a radiator on a Hillman Avenger in 1 hour :lol: I will have a look at my car in daylight with Chris's notes in my hand and see if I think I can do it.
 
#11 ·
Right - I have a new radiator on the way, so weather permitting it will be a job for the bank holiday weekend. I just need to decide whether to remove the bumper or follow Chris's method. The dealer told me it's a 3 hour job if you remove the bumper. Mmmm.
 
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