Date:         Wed, 22 Oct 2008 08:06:56 -0400
Reply-To:     Jim Johnston <inmytree1@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jim Johnston <inmytree1@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: radiator install
Comments: To: shawnclark77@yahoo.com
In-Reply-To:  <277912.80975.qm@web82404.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

This is a write up I did a year or so ago, good luck...

Well, being it was my first "big" job other that oil changes, it wasn't so
bad....I did mine in my driveway...I had to figure things out as I went...

Some tips...

When you drop the spare tire....be careful, it's heavier than you think,
pull the clips that hold the cover and bars that hold the spare in
place.  Those bars twist out.

If you have A/C, you'll have to contend with the condenser.  I replaced the
condenser at the same time. So I had to drain the A/C system, but Bentley
says you don't have to disconnect the hoses, if you don't want to.  However,
it looks tricky if you don't or if you don't have a lift.   The van cafe'
had the best price on the condenser.  The bus depot had a better price on
the radiator.

Label the wires that go to the fan, as you'll have to remove them. There are
little washers under those bolts that hold the wire, and they bounce and are
hard to find...

Once you get everything cleared out from underneath, have a friend help you
drop it, if you can.  The only things holding the radiator in place are "the
bolted in arm thingys" (which are the radiator support brackets).  I don't
know the correct part name, but you'll see what I mean.  My girlfriend
helped me.  When I put it back in, I did solo.  Don't laugh, but I used a
log, which was about a foot in diameter and about 18 inches tall.  It was
kind of redneck but it worked.  I balanced the radiator on the log, which
was on my jack, and just kept it steady and I jacked it into place.

Also, I'd recommend changing out the temp sender in the radiator.   A word
of caution, the fan housing is easily bent, so don't lay the condenser/
radiator/fan down on the fan end.  Trust me, I found out...

And one more thing, don't lose the rubber grommets that sit on top of the
radiator.  You'll be reusing them.

Jim

On Wed, Oct 22, 2008 at 1:58 AM, Shawn Clark <shawnclark77@yahoo.com> wrote:

> I'm going to be replacing my radiator in the next couple of days.
> Does anybody have any tips or tricks to make the task go easier?
>
> thanks
> shawn clark
> 84 westy "ishmael" with a subaru heart.
>



--
Jim
Wilmington, NC