Remove Radiator - 50i

[Bengineer330]

Trying to remove the radiator to replace it and also make room to replace the AC Compressor. I got the fan out but can’t seem to see what is holding the Plastic Cover over the radiator on?

Anyone remove this yet?

[Sophisticated Redneck]

Originally Posted by Bengineer330

Trying to remove the radiator to replace it and also make room to replace the AC Compressor. I got the fan out but can’t seem to see what is holding the Plastic Cover over the radiator on?

Anyone remove this yet?

I removed mine to make more room when I was taking off the heads about a year ago so going off memory here but If you look at the plastic cover that holds it down (assuming you already got the two torx head scews on the side out) you can see it has a plastic that wraps around underneath the front plastic trim that is attached to the entire front end on the passenger side by the condenser ac/fittings and ultimately helps hold down the condenser. Same thing on the drivers side. Looking through the kidney grills you can see two more torx screws to remove (one on each side). I remember having to bend the crap out of that plastic on the passenger side around the condenser lines as I didn't want to remove the lines and have to evacuate and recharge the a/c. But since you are working on the compressor anyway, I would just remove those to make it much easier.

[Movado750]

Ditto. it is not easy, tackling it today,,

[Bengineer330]

Thanks for the Help. I got it off and the radiator out. Glad you said there were 4 torx screws holding it, one on the left side was hidden by some rubber stuff protecting the AC Lines and i had had enough cocktails to say EFFF it and was about to just rip it out. Too much plastic in the car anyways, LOL. And when pulling the cover out you have to bend the crap out of the grill piece to get it out just like Sophisticated Redneck said.

So far i have the radiator out, power steering cooler out, condenser out, serpintine belt off, ac belt off, and now gonna tackle trying to get the AC Compressor out. Got lots of space for activities in the front though!

Trying to keep track of what I'm doing for a write up....difficult when your in the thick of it

[Bengineer330]

Completed the compressor replacement last weekend and now have nice cold AC again.

To update on the radiator cover, I broke the Radiator Support Air Duct top piece while bending the ever loving piss out of it to get the cover back. Hindsight if you really need to get it out I'd suggest removing the Radiator Support Air Duct. This video gives a general idea of what's needed; Hint, you need to remove the bumper...