Hi all
Good to see the board is back up. Thanks moderators/GSF [:)]
I have seen coolant dripping from my radiator (just to remind you - 2.5TD XM Series 2 95 vintage). Definitely the front radiator. Have bought a new radiator (nobody wants to re-core them [:(]) and was asked if I had a large or small radiator. Got the large one as I thought there must be two sizes for different specs - measured mine to be sure as well.
Now having taken the radiators out (note the plural [:D]) I see there are two radiators!
My question - smaller radiator that is fixed in front on larger one has a very corroded set of fins - literally crumbling away and some bright red dry gunge in between what is left.
Am I right in assuming that the red stuff is copper corrosion and other crap? Or is an earlier attempt with "rad-weld" or similar? Should I try flushing and then putting back and hope all is well or would it be wiser (from people's experience) to buy a new small radiator as well?
Seems like the radiators are a common problem on 2.5's [8)]. At least my one lasted since November 96 (was replaced within a year of new).
Thanks in advance
Andrew
Radiator question
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edd001
- Posts: 124
- Joined: 01 Jan 2004, 16:44
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NiSk
- Posts: 1422
- Joined: 24 Jan 2002, 20:11
- x 1
The XM 2.5 turbodiesel has a watercooled intercooler and oil cooler. This means that it relies on the main water radiator to disperse the heat extracted from the intercooler and oil cooler. In order to:
1) relieve the main radiator of the full burden of cooling all this lot on a hot summers day, Citroen have added an extra, smaller, thermostatically controlled radiator to the pack.
2) the thermostat is smartly arranged (or should I say typically Citroën) so that it can also allow the small radiator to work independantly to cool the intercooler when the weather is cold and you want to get some heat up in the engine (to warm up the cars interior etc), i.e. the main radioer is shut off.
It does this by having a thermostat that opens at 84 deg C and is fully open at 88 deg. The main radiator thermostat starts opening at 85 deg and is fully open at 100 deg.
The radiators on the 2.5 turbodiesel are a sorry solution, nothing like as good as those on the 2.1. Over here in Sweden, where they really no something about putting salt on the roads, they don't last more than a few years. There has even developed a market for new replacement radiators manufactured by a Swedish specialist (and costing a lot less than Citroëns own replacement) and which are built to withstand the rigors of life over here.
//NiSk
1) relieve the main radiator of the full burden of cooling all this lot on a hot summers day, Citroen have added an extra, smaller, thermostatically controlled radiator to the pack.
2) the thermostat is smartly arranged (or should I say typically Citroën) so that it can also allow the small radiator to work independantly to cool the intercooler when the weather is cold and you want to get some heat up in the engine (to warm up the cars interior etc), i.e. the main radioer is shut off.
It does this by having a thermostat that opens at 84 deg C and is fully open at 88 deg. The main radiator thermostat starts opening at 85 deg and is fully open at 100 deg.
The radiators on the 2.5 turbodiesel are a sorry solution, nothing like as good as those on the 2.1. Over here in Sweden, where they really no something about putting salt on the roads, they don't last more than a few years. There has even developed a market for new replacement radiators manufactured by a Swedish specialist (and costing a lot less than Citroëns own replacement) and which are built to withstand the rigors of life over here.
//NiSk
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first-things-first
- Posts: 44
- Joined: 13 Oct 2002, 04:20
Thanks edd001.
No, Citroen in their wisdom (probably due to space restrictions) have fitted two coolant radiators (plus an air con condenser as mine has it). The air con condenser looks in good nick.
It was a nice "krypton factor" type test to get the radiators out past the alternator, battery tray, fuel filter, pipes, intercooler, etc. Oh what fun [:D]
Cheers
Andrew
No, Citroen in their wisdom (probably due to space restrictions) have fitted two coolant radiators (plus an air con condenser as mine has it). The air con condenser looks in good nick.
It was a nice "krypton factor" type test to get the radiators out past the alternator, battery tray, fuel filter, pipes, intercooler, etc. Oh what fun [:D]
Cheers
Andrew
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first-things-first
- Posts: 44
- Joined: 13 Oct 2002, 04:20
Thanks Nisk for the extra information.
As you say typically "smart" Citroen. Fine when it works [:D]
Looking at the smaller radiator it is not as bad as I thought. Although fins are bent and paint is off in places it looks quite good and does seem to hold water OK (tried some hot water to see if could see leaks). To save me time of getting another radiator I will refit the original.
Had to give a Wren a funeral though. Seems it got in through the grille and was lying next to the condenser. Don't think it had an argument with the fans.
Maybe Citroens are the cause of wild bird populations crashing [:I] [:D]
Thanks
Andrew
As you say typically "smart" Citroen. Fine when it works [:D]
Looking at the smaller radiator it is not as bad as I thought. Although fins are bent and paint is off in places it looks quite good and does seem to hold water OK (tried some hot water to see if could see leaks). To save me time of getting another radiator I will refit the original.
Had to give a Wren a funeral though. Seems it got in through the grille and was lying next to the condenser. Don't think it had an argument with the fans.
Maybe Citroens are the cause of wild bird populations crashing [:I] [:D]
Thanks
Andrew