Can anyone tell me how the hell do you undo the bottom hose on the ZX td Radiator. I tried a pair of adjustable plummers pliers (not stillsons\pipe wrench) without any joy (could'nt even get them in to fit around the Quick release). I wanted to flush the rad. ready for the summer, but could'nt undo it as per the manual because of the tight fit through the crossmember frame.
Any tips please [:)]
Sooty
ZX td - Radiator
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Dave Burns
- Posts: 1915
- Joined: 14 May 2001, 05:30
- x 2
If its the one with the rotating collar that holds the wings of the clip onto the rad outlet, wiggle and push the pipe towards the rad, only a couple of millimeters, then turn the collar anticlockwise looking at it from the right hand side of the car, this spreads the wings and disengages them from the rad, then wiggle and pull the pipe out.
Have a replacement "O" ring when refitting or expect to be doing it again soon.
There is another older type but I haven't had to mess with one of them recently, I have on around the place and if this is your type will go and have a buchers at it fo'thee, let me know.
Dave
Have a replacement "O" ring when refitting or expect to be doing it again soon.
There is another older type but I haven't had to mess with one of them recently, I have on around the place and if this is your type will go and have a buchers at it fo'thee, let me know.
Dave
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sooty
- Posts: 464
- Joined: 31 Jul 2002, 00:34
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Dave Burns
- Posts: 1915
- Joined: 14 May 2001, 05:30
- x 2
Yeah I know its a bit awkward but when you've done it a few times you can do it blindfold.
Its no good squeezing it with grips or anything 'cos that just causes it to bind on the part it spins round, plus the bits that go over the wings that press them onto the rad have a small lug on them to prevent the collar rotating on its own, so as you turn the collar the bits that go over the wings have to lift slightly to unhook and if you are holding them down with grips you will be there for ever, job can only be done with your fingers.
The job is easily done with the front wheels up some ramps, you can then get directly up to it from underneath, if you are trying to do it just through the crossmember you have no chance.
Now if you have dropped the water you can't start it to get up the ramps, but if you have a decent trolley jack you can lift the front and drop it onto the ramps, I prefer this method rather than driving up them and do it all the time.
Dave
Its no good squeezing it with grips or anything 'cos that just causes it to bind on the part it spins round, plus the bits that go over the wings that press them onto the rad have a small lug on them to prevent the collar rotating on its own, so as you turn the collar the bits that go over the wings have to lift slightly to unhook and if you are holding them down with grips you will be there for ever, job can only be done with your fingers.
The job is easily done with the front wheels up some ramps, you can then get directly up to it from underneath, if you are trying to do it just through the crossmember you have no chance.
Now if you have dropped the water you can't start it to get up the ramps, but if you have a decent trolley jack you can lift the front and drop it onto the ramps, I prefer this method rather than driving up them and do it all the time.
Dave
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mg46783
- Posts: 104
- Joined: 02 Sep 2002, 02:16
Hi all...
Ive had two, would you believe, occasions to dismantle these things in as many weeks ( engine changes!!!) What A Job !!! However, the easiest way Ive found, if its any help to you... Jack up the car , take the front o/s wheel off.. open up the inner wing muck panel (you only have to bend it up out the way ) and then you can see the pipe going through the chassis member... ( On the diesel its as well to remove the washer bottle too - makes life a lot easier ) - then unhook the radiator from its fixings so that you can physically shove the radiator bottom hose through the chassis member into the under wing area -- you can only get through an inch or so.. but at least then you can get a hand on the 'stupid' ( very basic word!) - rotating clip and deal with it.
1st time I did one..I put it all back together,, when filling the rad, antifreeze piddling out everywhere from the fitting... took it all to bits again ( after wiping away the tears!!)... found there was NO rubber ring.. rubber ring was found INSIDE the chassis box section! So, thats one to watch out for... Hope this helps...Sounds more long-winded than it is really... I do it that way every time now!!
Mike
Ive had two, would you believe, occasions to dismantle these things in as many weeks ( engine changes!!!) What A Job !!! However, the easiest way Ive found, if its any help to you... Jack up the car , take the front o/s wheel off.. open up the inner wing muck panel (you only have to bend it up out the way ) and then you can see the pipe going through the chassis member... ( On the diesel its as well to remove the washer bottle too - makes life a lot easier ) - then unhook the radiator from its fixings so that you can physically shove the radiator bottom hose through the chassis member into the under wing area -- you can only get through an inch or so.. but at least then you can get a hand on the 'stupid' ( very basic word!) - rotating clip and deal with it.
1st time I did one..I put it all back together,, when filling the rad, antifreeze piddling out everywhere from the fitting... took it all to bits again ( after wiping away the tears!!)... found there was NO rubber ring.. rubber ring was found INSIDE the chassis box section! So, thats one to watch out for... Hope this helps...Sounds more long-winded than it is really... I do it that way every time now!!
Mike