small radiator leak

It isn't a big deal to remove but you may have to break open the a/c lines located on the right side.

Mine is an 84 and I had the top of my radiator repaired - twice - before it closed a leak for good. I don't think it is that uncommon of an issue. Seen it on more than a few cars.

 

Hi montreal 328 i just replaced mine on the 308 not to hard to do.I'am in dorval let me know if you need a hand.

 

Through the top is not supposed to be too bad a job. I've got to do it myself. I can't comment with certainty on a 328 though, as the radiator is canted.

 

I helped a friend pull his radiator a while ago. Not a difficult job. IIRC, drain radiator, remove the lid, fans, and hoses. Then remove the 2 mounting bolts, spacers, etc on top/sides. Tilt the top of the radiator towards the rear of the car and extract. I do not recall having to deal with any A/C components at all. One more thing, note where the rubber strips are located on the bottom brackets. They need to be fitted properly in order for the radiator to fit back in all the way.

 

You may not need to deal with the A/C lines. Break open = disconnect. If you need to pull them and you're unsure as to whether or not the Freon/refrigerant has been fully evacuated from your system, it's best to have an appliance service buddy or shop verify that. If there's any left it's best to keep it contained....nasty stuff. I'm not sure about Quebec, but the EPA is all over it here in the US. I had a friend who is an appliance repair tech bring his gauges over to verify that mine was empty/depressurized before I pulled the compressor, etc.

 

Just start unscrewing the lines and see what happens. If there is anything in there it will start hissing at you. If so, just screw it back up and take it down to someone who can recover it for you.

On the other hand you can always open the lines up and let it out yourself. You are not supposed to do that - but you could do that if you know what I mean. Frankly, if the a/c isn't working I would be surprised if there is anything in there to begin with.

After that, just unscrew the two little bolts on each side of the top and CAREFULLY raise it out. The condensor is attached to it on all four corners so they both will come out as one unit. It is easy easy easy but heavy and it would really help if you have a friend come over and lift the other side. It will take all of 5 seconds to get it out of there with his help but without it you may find it so heavy and awkward that it could slip back down. If that happens you can destroy your condensor when it drags against the center if the two fans which it most likely will.

How do I know this for a fact?

My a/c hasn't worked since 06 and I still haven't figured out how this happened because as best I can remember my radiator has not been out since the late 90's. When I pulled my radiator out two weeks ago I saw that my condensor is torn open in two places on the bottom EXACTLY in the same positions as each of the fan center pieces. They line up perfectly so there is no doubt at all that this is what happened. I'll post a picture. Obviously (very obviously) someone tried to raise mine out and let it fall back in - hitting the fans and busting up a damn near impossible to get a/c condensor. I have one on order at this very moment with Rutlands. Pissed me off...

Anyway, call a friend and don't let this happen to you.

 

Tisk, tisk. Not cool. No pun intended.

 

I know.

He shouldn't do this but it won't hurt to unscrew a little and see what happens before planing a trip down to the shop.

 

I had a mobile AC guy pull the remaining R12 out for me before a major. It was the best 20 bucks.

Take good care of the AC parts. It's nice when that stuff works.

 

agree, if it's empty it's empty.

 

Sorry, but Bad Idea (the unscrewing part).

If you don't have guages, check for pressure by pressing the pin on the Schrader suction side (low pressure) service port. (Press the pin with something other than your finger!!) The service ports are on the top of the compressor.

If you try to unscrew the hose fittings when the system is under pressure, you run a (bigger) risk of galling the fittings or distorting the relatively soft hard line components, etc. And if you do get them apart to get some refrigerant escape, the fitting will probably keep slow leaking when you tighten it again, thus practically defeating the point of recovery.

R12 should be recovered, both for the environment (ozone layer) and to keep it available (as the only source now is recycled recovery - oh, and China).

-frank

 

Dr. Tommy, thanks for the "heads up" on getting help removing the Radiator. I have an 84 QV that is weeping also around the top of the Radiator and I was going to "go it alone", no doubt I probably would have damaged the ac condensor doing so. Were you able to remove yours without pulling the front Hood? I probably will do as Pad suggested and pull it, just courious I guess.

 

I am by no means a "mechanic" (trust me!) so if I can do it you can.

There are threads here on doing it, so print them out, TAKE YOUR TIME, and you can easily do it. Mine came out from the top.

After removal, I took it to my local radiator shop and they boiled it out and repaired the leak.

This was 2 years ago and it is still perfect.

Installing it is easier than removal

 

LOL!