Help Please 4.4 radiator problem

[ttzcar]

Help please...
Well after having to pull over because I noticed a bunch of smoke coming from under the hood, I noticed I have a crack in the radiator.
I attempted to dismantle it then paused before I got in to deep and not knowing what I'm doing.
I'm very good at disassembling and assembling things but I figured I would ask the expert X5'ers first.
Actually I didn't get very far because after removing the clip for the larger upper hose it wouldn't pull out. Am I just supposed to hank hard on it?
Also if anyone has any input. I'm curious as to what is going to be the most difficult part of this project?
I thought I read someone said you don't need to remove the fan, to pull it out, but he had no details. I PM'd him and haven't gotten a reply yet.
I'm not going to finish the project until I get a reply, unless someone just says to take it in and have it done. It doesn't seem too difficult, so I can't justify paying over $200 in labor.
PLEASE HELP!!!

Thanks,

[swissfrank]

I had a crack on my rad which I was going to replace, but instead I cleaned out the crack and used some fiber glass + rad repair kit.

However I was going to replace the rad with a new one (about $200), and it's actually quite easy to take the rad out. Just take the trim pieces off the top and the rad is supported by 4 bolts to the front of the car. The crimp style clamps on the hoses have to be pried open, then use some sort of pick to force between the hose and the collar to pry them off.

I don't believe it to be necessary to take the fan off though it will probably help. Just remember to catch the antifreeze in a suitable container to save yourself the mess, the rest should be easy, just take your time and don't force anything.

Good Luck!

[ttzcar]

Thanks, I won't be able to get to it until Wednesday, so I'll update things then.

[fast4d]

the hoses can get stuck. after removing the clip you just have to yank on it. take the fan off if you can. it give you more room to work with. I also removed the shield underneath so I can reach in and position the radiator at the bottom.

[tonycajjo]

where can you find a radiator for that cheap? i havent had any luck searching the site or the net to find a decent priced radiator. i have a small leak in mine on the seam and dont think epoxy or tech steel will work to keep it from leaking.

how about silla, or berh. has anyopne had experience with these?
or nissens?

[ttzcar]

I bought a Nissens radiator and it was a perfect fit. When I looked on Ebay, Nissens was the most inexpensive, so I was most likely going to go with Nissens anyways, but coincidently a local auto parts store (Rancho Foreign Car Parts) carried them and it was only $180.00. Supercheap, and the car is now running great. However my red Brake light just came on, so that's going to be expensive.

[tonycajjo]

good, to hear. thanks for the feedback on nissens.

[brwntiger]

I too experienced smoke bellowing from underneath my hood last night. I had to pull over and examined that the top of the radiator was spewing coolant. Thanks for the info on the Nissens. I think I will give it shot considering this won't be my 1st rad change....but it'll be the 1st on the X.

[X5Flyboy]

Could y'all please tell us the mileage your radiator started leaking?

Just trying to get a ballpark figure on when to start looking out for problems.

Thanks!

[brwntiger]

I just passed the 85k mark. Somewhere around 80k my vent hoses blew, so if you haven't started to check your hoses and you're around that mileage it should be time to give them a look-see.

Originally Posted by X5Flyboy

Could y'all please tell us the mileage your radiator started leaking?

Just trying to get a ballpark figure on when to start looking out for problems.

Thanks!