Date:         Thu, 21 Sep 2017 22:30:30 +0000
Reply-To:     Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Advise me on a radiator change
Comments: To: Kevin P Gilleran <kevin@GILLERANENERGY.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <0cad01d3330d$fe54d440$fafe7cc0$@gilleranenergy.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

I'm surprised it took so long for someone to ask this question. Yes, but there are some tricks.
The condenser is attached to the radiator with tabs at the bottom and two screws into  clips on top. For service it gets dropped as an assembly. What you will want to do is remove all the hose mounting clips on the frame rail and clear things so that there is room for the AC hoses to swing down. Drop the radiator slightly and remove those two screws on top. Sometimes they are a bear to get out due to rust and the Philips head stripping. Then look at the tabs on the bottom and gently bend them out a little bit. If on a lift get a table or cart. Lower the assembly down until you just clear the body and get something to support the weight. Fan open the condenser from the radiator like a book until the lower tabs can come out. Then you can support the condenser and get the radiator out of the way so it can be serviced. You will want to be real careful handling the AC hoses and the connection on the condenser. If there is any sign of oil on the hoses or condenser than you have proof of a leak. Reassembly is the reverse and having a friend for just a few minutes will help a lot.

While the radiator is out take a good look for opportunity for rust control-repair. The is also a good time for heat-sound insulation to be added. Consider replacing that outdated power hungry noisy fan with the restrictive shroud for a modern fan solution. I recently posted what I am using now. 

Dennis
 

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Kevin P Gilleran
Sent: Thursday, September 21, 2017 3:16 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Advise me on a radiator change

Hi,
Chiming in on the radiator change with a related question.

If your van has air conditioning does the condenser also need to be removed at the same time as the radiator or can you work around the condenser and hoses and leave it in place?

Sincerely,

Kevin P. Gilleran