it never rains, it pours...coolant. all over the place., need new rad, need DYI tips Options

[axelrduvirage]

well, took the ol' Celi out for a quick spin today after recharging the battery and inflating the tires. had to get it going. may have to take it to the shop next week for springs / struts installation...yay . so i pull onto the gas station for a splash and dash and notice this familiar smell. coolant!!! all over everything in the engine bay. P.U. anyway enough beetchin'...

any HOT tips on replacing the rad. it's on order and should be here tomorrow (Friday) or Monday latest. are there any "do this before you do that" instructions from anyone who has DYI'ed a rad? i'm pretty handy and replaced the rad on my 540i, no problem.

any help, tips, warnings, caveats and "i told you so's" would be appreciated.

BTW pray for nice weather, it's been everything and anything around here lately. today sunny, calm and 10°C, saturday -5°c freezing rain and high winds (not Mr. Fix-it-in-your-driveway weather )

This post has been edited by axelrduvirage: Mar 6, 2008 - 8:03 PM

[axelrduvirage]

update...

finished the job on saturday in a beautiful winter storm (winds, rain, dropping temps, snow, sleet, etc...) everything is where it should be and there are no more leaks. had to tighten the ATF feed line coupling after i saw it piss out onto the driveway. the fans haven't come on for me yet, but i was working in -5°C weather by the time i finished and didn't have time to really warm up the car (1/2 hour drive). i was away this week so will keep working on it when the weather gets nicer. the rad flush is on my spring cleaning list.

thanks for the replies.

alltracman78 - thanks, now i know what you meant by the switch and connector