Does anyone have a DIY for removing the radiator? I realize the radiator itself should be pretty easy. But do the fans simply unbolt and lift out?? I'd like to think it's that easy.

FYI i'm trying one of those mishimoto radiators (cheaper Koyo knockoff) I'll let ya know how it goes!

 

yes it is that easy. just remember the two bolts that are inside the upper rad support--kinda hidden but have access holes in the front side of the support. overall about a 30min job.

fwiw i bought a mish rad and installed it--albiet with some persuasion to fix its crooked ***. filled it with coolant, found coolant leaking from the drain plug that was cross threaded from the factory. promptly removed radiator and will get the drain plug welded up when i get a chance.

good luck.

 

Good stuff thanks man!! I'll check the plug BEFORE i fill it then just incase i get the same issue. Did the factory fans fit fine too?

 

fans fit no problem. a little jimmying to get them out/in, but no problems at all

 

Great! Thank you!

 

I just did my radiator last week. I jacked up the car, both sides front so i can work underneath. Drained the radiator. Took off the hoses top an bottom. Unbolted the 2 screws that hold on the fan shroud. underneath you unclip the 2 wire harness clips. Then just shimmy the shroud, I dropped the whole fan assembly down and out. Then the radiator has the 2 plastic turn screws on top, and pop off the 2 screw covers and unscrew the 2 10mm screws that hold the air conditioner condenser on the radiator. When you pull the radiator up, the condenser is attached at the bottom, just push it out and make sure that the condenser is held up with something, just not hanging as the hoses get damaged. there might be the 2 rubber grommets at the bottom of the stock radiator, pull them off and stick them on the new radiator. It seems like a tight fit, but i got it in, in an hour, and that was taking my time so that i don't damage any of the fins. So it's easy. The weird thing after is once you refill all the fluids, and undo the rear heater drain plug, make sure all the air is out or you'll have a cold heater. You might have to do this multiple times to bleed the air out, it sucks. But my koyo v, is super efficient, it's stays below half constantly now. I'm wondering if i should change the thermostat now as the bottom of my radiator is staying cool, my heater gets hot now, but still doesn't seem like the thermostat is working. I'm never overheating, but i think it should be hot enough to get the thermostat fully open. Anyways, let me know if you have questions, i can post some pics if you need them.

 

Best thing to do is look at what needs to be done and proceed. Thats how you learn and can take on bigger jobs. Following instructions are good for reference but most things are just nuts and bolts and learning to control them

 

We had to drop my factory rad from the bottom when we replaced it for a koyo. The koyo is an R spec. Fitment of the rad itself was great. Had to trim the upper rad hose a bit.

 

So idk if im the only one with this problem but i found out my radiator was leaking found the crack and sealed it whatevs…. Why is putting the radiator back in so damn hard like it just doesnt fit it scrapes everywhere on the sides against the condenser etc ive bought a new one and mishimoto radiator so now my question is has anyone else had the same prob about trying to reinstall their oem radiator and it just not fitting?

 

I've learnt to put a piece of cardboard between the rad and the fan shroud whenever I'm removing/installing to avoid scrapes. Typically remove the radiator overflow reservoir bracket and usually loosen the bracket that secures the AC condensor lines as well, just to give max clearance.

Like others have said, it's a fiddly job but not difficult.