Date: Thu, 9 Mar 2023 21:52:39 -0500
Reply-To: Eric Caron <ericcaron96@COMCAST.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Eric Caron <ericcaron96@COMCAST.NET>
Subject: Radiator part 2 Disappointment
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
I Folks,
I started the radiator change out today by unpacking the new radiator that arrived while I was away.
I chose to go with the one from Amazon.
Sadly, it arrived loose in a box and was poorly packed. The box had a pushed in spot and the radiator had the same shaped spot pushed into the cooling fins.
I decided not to take a chance and have requested a new one and will have to return this one.
I hope the next is packed better.
I have this radiator on my other van and it does keep my van very cool.
I was looking at FCPEuro options for the warrantee but could not get several browsers on my computer to work with the site. Also, I’m not sure the design on the available options there are correct.
I don’t know the name on the one Ken is selling but it does sound nice. But, that one has only been around I think for 3 years so still young to see if it is a laster.
So, back to the drawing board. If the next one arrives loosely packed and damaged I’ll move to another option.
Now, for an important question.
When IU remove the temperature sensor from the old radiator to put in the new one is there a gasket or something to keep it from leaking?
Is this reusable from the old one or where do I get it?
As I can’t read the Bently and I plan to give changing this out a shot as a solo job, any tips are appreciated.
If you have done this job and can describe the steps, I’d be very grateful. I may be figuring it out as I go.
I’m planning to raise the front end a bit.
Remove one bracket from radiator to access hoses and get them off the radiator and move them out of the way.
Then after radiator drains I’ll work on lowering it down.
I’ve never done this.
So any tips on how to deal with the fan or connectors or anything else appreciated.
Also is this a good time to sound deaden behind the radiator?Description of steps in the process greatly appreciated.
For any new folks, I’m blind so verbal descriptions of the work from this list is what I rely on to do many independent VW van repairs.
Eric Caron
84 Westfalia.