Radiator removal

[tulit]

Hi all. I’m just trying to get the radiator out of my GS.

I’m at the point of having the bumper removed and the radiator free.

However I can’t seem to find a way to snake the radiator past the AC hardline that runs beneath it. Note that this is the North American spec condenser and I believe may have a slightly different layout. Is removing the bumper beam going to be helpful to “fold” the condenser outwards more?

Would anyone have advise on getting past this final hurdle? I’m trying to avoid needing to open the AC system.

Thanks so much.

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[lambertius]

Ooof, yeah now I see what the issue is. Sorry man, I can't help you - when we did it we assembled it into the car and I never really paid that much attention.

 

[tulit]

I got the job done and documented what I could. It tries to cover some of the differences between the USDM, with the bigger condenser, and European market cars (which complicates things a bit more I think for the USDM cars).

https://gransportmaserati.wordpress.com/2020/07/19/gransport-4200-radiator-replacement/

 

[lambertius]

I got the job done and documented what I could. It tries to cover some of the differences between the USDM, with the bigger condenser, and European market cars (which complicates things a bit more I think for the USDM cars).

https://gransportmaserati.wordpress.com/2020/07/19/gransport-4200-radiator-replacement/

On the very first parts diagram, part #11 - where is that? When I converted my car I bought all the brackets and fittings, but that was the one mounting point I couldn't work out. I currently have the car apart for the body work, so if you could show a photo of how its fitted up I'd very much like to get it installed!

 

[tulit]

Just one of the two top rad mounts
The bracket it bolts to is integral to the body.

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[lambertius]

Well there we go! I don't recall that mounting tab being on the chassis, so I reckon it is a specific difference between the regional models. Thanks!

 

[philgarner]

Thanks for your write up on your site tulit, that will be helpful. I'm considering whether I take on this job over the winter for mine as it is definitely leaking. Can anyone confirm if you need to drain down the AC system to get the radiator out on euro-spec cars?

Also if anyone has a line on the reasonably priced radiators let me know, looks like everywhere is out of stock - next cheapest is Maranello at £355+vat.

 

[conaero]

You don’t need to drop the AC gas and eBay has the rads for £180 last time I looked.

 

[2b1ask1]

Biggest issues are snapping bolts (holding rads together and in place) and having enough height on the vehicle to drop the rad out of the bottom.

 

[2b1ask1]

Absolutely replace the bolts as they are more likely to snap on reassembly.

 

[conaero]

Those will be the nightmare 8mm bolts that hold the top cowell to the front of the rad?

 

[2b1ask1]

Those will be the nightmare 8mm bolts that hold the top cowell to the front of the rad?

Yes indeed; Who thought self tapping the plastic would be a good thing?

 

[2b1ask1]

You need roughly 80% of the height of the radiator under the cross member to get the radiator out otherwise it will get stuck!

 

[tulit]

Thanks for your write up on your site tulit, that will be helpful. I'm considering whether I take on this job over the winter for mine as it is definitely leaking. Can anyone confirm if you need to drain down the AC system to get the radiator out on euro-spec cars?

Also if anyone has a line on the reasonably priced radiators let me know, looks like everywhere is out of stock - next cheapest is Maranello at £355+vat.

I've heard its possible. The big difference is the pipes don't run under the radiator so it doesn't get locked in place. The condenser is also half the size so gives a bit more room to maneuver. It may still be a bit easier to do if you separate it.

I'm 99% certain it's impossible on the larger NA spec condenser design because one of the condenser pipes actually runs diagonal under the radiator. A few folks mentioned they had done it but I really can't see how. I screwed around with it for a few days, finally broke down and got the AC recovered and had the radiator out in 5 mins.

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[tulit]

Those will be the nightmare 8mm bolts that hold the top cowell to the front of the rad?

I found getting everything loose and resting the radiator stack on its bottom bolts and tilting the top back (it tilts quite a bit) gave more than enough room to get to them.

Luckily nothing was rusted on my car so didn't end up breaking any of them either.

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