it never rains, it pours...coolant. all over the place., need new rad, need DYI tips Options

[axelrduvirage]

well, took the ol' Celi out for a quick spin today after recharging the battery and inflating the tires. had to get it going. may have to take it to the shop next week for springs / struts installation...yay . so i pull onto the gas station for a splash and dash and notice this familiar smell. coolant!!! all over everything in the engine bay. P.U. anyway enough beetchin'...

any HOT tips on replacing the rad. it's on order and should be here tomorrow (Friday) or Monday latest. are there any "do this before you do that" instructions from anyone who has DYI'ed a rad? i'm pretty handy and replaced the rad on my 540i, no problem.

any help, tips, warnings, caveats and "i told you so's" would be appreciated.

BTW pray for nice weather, it's been everything and anything around here lately. today sunny, calm and 10°C, saturday -5°c freezing rain and high winds (not Mr. Fix-it-in-your-driveway weather )

This post has been edited by axelrduvirage: Mar 6, 2008 - 8:03 PM

[alltracman78]

Um

Pay attention to what you're doing.
Don't forget to disconnect the fan switch and the fan connector.
Don't forget the rubber bushings on the bottom of the rad.
Make sure you get rid of all air bubbles when you refill.
Use distilled water, not tap water.

[axelrduvirage]

Um

Pay attention to what you're doing.
Don't forget to disconnect the fan switch and the fan connector.
Don't forget the rubber bushings on the bottom of the rad.
Make sure you get rid of all air bubbles when you refill.
Use distilled water, not tap water.

Pay attention to what you're doing...i promise i'll have a beer AFTER i finish.

Don't forget to disconnect the fan switch and the fan connector...i usually pull the ground on the battery. SAFETY FIRST !!!

Don't forget the rubber bushings on the bottom of the rad...do you recommend automatically replacing our just checking the condition?

Make sure you get rid of all air bubbles when you refill...running the engine and milking the top rad hose, or do you have a technique?

Use distilled water, not tap water...i usually use pre-mix, any counter-indication to that?



thanks for the reply...will keep you posted on the re-radiatoring (i love making up words) of the Celi.