Radiator removal DIY

[X5Cat]

You are welcome, 53helofe! Happy this could be of use to someone. This site and its members have been a lot of help to me with my (wife's) X5. So glad to be able to give something back.

I'm in the process of shopping for all new belts & hoses (the ones I haven't replaced already) now. I think it is wise to basically go on and renew the entire cooling system.

Looks like we are close geographically. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

[Debonair]

I will be removing the radiator on my 02 X5 4.4 today and this info will be of great help. I will return in a couple hours to let you know how I did....

[romeokc10]

Originally Posted by Debonair

I will be removing the radiator on my 02 X5 4.4 today and this info will be of great help. I will return in a couple hours to let you know how I did....

Uhhhhhhhh.....okay, if you feel have to share it with us....lol!!!

[Debonair]

Radiator has been removed and will be going to the shop for repair
(I will take before and after pics). I was able to remove it by simply slipping the shroud over the fan which allowed enough clearance for sliding the radiator out. Don't forget to remove the torx screw above the radiator outlet. The tips given here are very appreciated and they saved me a lot of unnecessary work . I will very gladly buy you fellas a beer when I see you. Stay tuned...

[romeokc10]

Originally Posted by Debonair

Radiator has been removed and will be going to the shop for repair
(I will take before and after pics). I was able to remove it by simply slipping the shroud over the fan which allowed enough clearance for sliding the radiator out. Don't forget to remove the torx screw above the radiator outlet. The tips given here are very appreciated and they saved me a lot of unnecessary work . I will very gladly buy you fellas a beer when I see you. Stay tuned...

I would just buy a new one, they're not that expensive, search for them on Amazon or Ebay and you'll find tons of them.

[Blackjetvette97]

Hi all,
Preparing to tackle this replacement procedure(Radiator and Expansion tank) myself. Questions for those who've done it............

1) After draining fluid out of radiator, is it also NECESSARY to drain block coolant as well if I am just switching out Rad/Exp tank and reusing existing coolant(that is only like 3 months into use, so pretty much new)?

2) What becomes of the upper/lower/exp tank hoses when you remove them from Rad/Exp tank.......Do they just hang there from connections at other ends(should I support them somehow?)?.......Do they leak/drip coolant all over engine?.....Do they have lots of leftover coolant if block not drained?

3) how do you "remove" rivet(and without breaking it, since I assume it is DAYUM plastic)? can I get to it from behind and push it out as well as prying from front?


I have looked at everything in there and familiarized myself with it all. Splash Shield is removed. Removed shroud and laid it back/over fan, out of way already once. Got Shroud back into place and on easily after experimenting with removal and setback. Have looked at the oil cooler underneath and am familiar with rivet and torx screw.....Was just freaked out a bit upon thought of messing with it(thought it attached via a hose or something, so I'd be dealing with fluid and connections down there too) until I read X5Cat's post(THANK YOU for that!)

Any more help or advice would be greatly appreciated!

And this should DEFINITELY be a sticky in DIY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Steve

[jcp240z]

No need to drain the block coolant. Drain into a clean container for reuse. If you want to be really anal (like me) use a paint strainer to get any small particles out that fall into the container when you are draining.
Have some extra coolant to top of the system. No need to support the hoses. Just be gentle with them. You will have some dripping. A good rinse of the engine bay afterwards is what I do. I typically take it as an opportunity to clean it.

[z168]

Looks like its my turn. Upper neck has been weeping. Replaced the upper and lower hoses about 2-3 years ago but might as well replace it again while Im at it. Glad to know I can take off the radiator without messing with the clutch fan and defintely good info re the trans cooler.

So my parts list right now:
1. radiator
2. Lower hose + sensor
3. Upper hose

The expansion tank hose is still good and is fairly easy to replace if it does go bad. Anything else I should get at while im at it? I have a 00 4.4L

[RuskiE39]

https://www.pelicanparts.com/techart..._Replacing.htm

[z168]

Originally Posted by RuskiE39

https://www.pelicanparts.com/techart..._Replacing.htm

I may have neglected to mention I did an engine-out service 2 years ago. So everything on the engine has been replaced. All thats really left is the radiator