Flushing the radiator through......

[Mini1275]

I'm guessing it's easier to take the radiator completely out and flushing it through (bottom to top?) rather than trying to undo the bottom hose whilst the radiator is still held in?, the radiator has gone slightly orange inside and could do with a good wash-out, possibly replacing?.

Thanks guys

[skunk20]

I'd say so yes, unless your lucky and the jubilee clip is pointing in the right direction and you have a long screw driver, managed it once, but more hassle than its worth, also when it comes to putting the rad back in I tend to put the bottom hose on first so I know its gone on square and made a good seal.

Might be telling you something you already know now (sorry), but just in case: getting the radiator out is fairly easy, I'm assuming we are talking about the normal side mounted radiator. Just undo the top bracket bolts that holds it to the thermostat housing, then there is one bolt through the bottom of the rad, the nut is captive so no need to worry about loosing that, you may need to take the grill off to get better access to the bolt especially if you've got a round nose, clubman’s you can probably manage without. Undo the bottom hose where it goes into the engine and heater take off. Then slide the radiator out, should be able to do it with the fan still there, if it wont I think there’s about 4 screws holding a bit of cowling on around the radiator, removing that will allow the rad to come straight out.

Again apologies if you knew that, hope it helps.

Simon

[Mini1275]

Thanks Simon, much appreciated . Always better to double check!.

[Cooperman]

Minis are prone to overheat if the rad is 'iffy' so it's a good idea to change it when it gets a bit old and grotty. Just get a standard Cooper 'S' rad from, say, Mini Spares. I always change the bottom hose as well, as it's so easy to doi with the rad off if you fit it to the bottom of the rad before putting the rad in the car.