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2003 VY Commodore Radiator Removal

silvereels

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As they made the VY over a five year period GM put different radiators in them. I am having difficulty in separating the radiator from the auto transmission condenser that sits in front of it of my 2003 VY 3.8litre. I don't want to have to take the front bumper off if I can get away without doing so. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
 

bazagorokan

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As they made the VY over a five year period GM put different radiators in them. I am having difficulty in separating the radiator from the auto transmission condenser that sits in front of it of my 2003 VY 3.8litre. I don't want to have to take the front bumper off if I can get away without doing so. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
on my vy ss 5.7 , there are large plastic clips on both the radiator and condenser , I think 4 . the condenser clips push in to the radiator clips , you have to prise them apart maybe with a large screw driver . be careful not to damage the cooling fins . you will need a good torch or light to see what you are doing . you may have to unclip the top aircon pipe to condenser to give you some clearance to give you room to move the condenser away from the radiator so you can lift the radiator up and out , good luck and look carefully what you are doing .....cheers.
 

krusing

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That is correct,
I replaced the Radiator in my VY, and unclipped the Condenser with a screw driver, DONT piece the Condenser.
Be careful of undoing the Auto Trans Pipes, that you don't crack them, AND/OR LOOSE THE AUTO TRANS BARB SEALS/GASKETS,
they could remain on the end of the pipes fittings, or stay in the radiator fitting,
They are just like small round gaskets, where mine were like small green gaskets.
When I removed the Radiator, the cooling fans and radiator are removed as one,
If you miss them when you install the new radiator, they will leak like everywhere,
And Auto oil is a **** to clean up.
On the new/replacement radiator when clipping the cooling fans on the replacement radiator, heat the clips up with a heat gun or hair drier, because if you try and slide the fan unit into the clips they could break,
Then the fan housing is floating.
last of all, bleed it properly.
Most of all, take your time,
Good luck ;)
 

lowandslow

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If the radiator coming out is stuffed, use said long screwdriver and a hammer and break the clips off. Will save you much headache and skinned knuckles.
 

silvereels

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on my vy ss 5.7 , there are large plastic clips on both the radiator and condenser , I think 4 . the condenser clips push in to the radiator clips , you have to prise them apart maybe with a large screw driver . be careful not to damage the cooling fins . you will need a good torch or light to see what you are doing . you may have to unclip the top aircon pipe to condenser to give you some clearance to give you room to move the condenser away from the radiator so you can lift the radiator up and out , good luck and look carefully what you are doing .....cheers.


Thanks bazagorokan
 

silvereels

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If the radiator coming out is stuffed, use said long screwdriver and a hammer and break the clips off. Will save you much headache and skinned knuckles.

Thanks lowandslow, I wore gloves luckily
 

silvereels

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That is correct,
I replaced the Radiator in my VY, and unclipped the Condenser with a screw driver, DONT piece the Condenser.
Be careful of undoing the Auto Trans Pipes, that you don't crack them, AND/OR LOOSE THE AUTO TRANS BARB SEALS/GASKETS,
they could remain on the end of the pipes fittings, or stay in the radiator fitting,
They are just like small round gaskets, where mine were like small green gaskets.
When I removed the Radiator, the cooling fans and radiator are removed as one,
If you miss them when you install the new radiator, they will leak like everywhere,
And Auto oil is a **** to clean up.
On the new/replacement radiator when clipping the cooling fans on the replacement radiator, heat the clips up with a heat gun or hair drier, because if you try and slide the fan unit into the clips they could break,
Then the fan housing is floating.
last of all, bleed it properly.
Most of all, take your time,
Good luck ;)


Thanks krusing
 
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