mdpalmer
02-14-2016, 10:24 AM
Hey guys, new B/W '97 GTS owner here. Recently found a very minor leak coming from the radiator. Had a dealer quote me over $900 for labor to R&R. Took the car to another place to replace fluids (engine oil, trans, diff), and the car would have sat for a while at their shop while they figured out what to do with it. Only reason I have been taking the car to a mechanic instead of doing the work myself is I no longer have any tools or a personal garage. I found a local radiator shop to re-core the radiator for $600.
Any of you guys in the Seattle area want to help me do a radiator swap? My car would have to sit at your place for probably 2 weeks to a month, depending on how fast we can R&R the part, have it re-cored, and refill the cooling system.
My car is in storage ATM, and I'm only around on weekends to do the work.
From what I've read, the hood does NOT have to come off. Basically, unbolt P/S cooler, move it out of the way, remove the hoses from the rad, remove the rad shroud/disconnect plugs, and unbolt the rad and pull it out (being careful not to get coolant all over the engine and banging your head on the hood). Install is reverse of removal... we'll see how that goes. Judging from what I read, we could probably pull the rad in 1-2 hours start to finish... assuming no issues (which of course could always come up). Maybe a little longer to get it back in, and then a few hours to fill/bleed coolant.
I'm looking to start the radiator work maybe in April or May timeframe. To re-core the radiator takes 3-5 days. Let me know guys! Attaching a recent pic of the car.
Any of you guys in the Seattle area want to help me do a radiator swap? My car would have to sit at your place for probably 2 weeks to a month, depending on how fast we can R&R the part, have it re-cored, and refill the cooling system.
My car is in storage ATM, and I'm only around on weekends to do the work.
From what I've read, the hood does NOT have to come off. Basically, unbolt P/S cooler, move it out of the way, remove the hoses from the rad, remove the rad shroud/disconnect plugs, and unbolt the rad and pull it out (being careful not to get coolant all over the engine and banging your head on the hood). Install is reverse of removal... we'll see how that goes. Judging from what I read, we could probably pull the rad in 1-2 hours start to finish... assuming no issues (which of course could always come up). Maybe a little longer to get it back in, and then a few hours to fill/bleed coolant.
I'm looking to start the radiator work maybe in April or May timeframe. To re-core the radiator takes 3-5 days. Let me know guys! Attaching a recent pic of the car.