Radiator

Removal and Installation

Removal - all models

1. Drain the cooling system
2. Remove the two nuts that hold the recovery bottle to the firewall (10mm, I think), then pull the hose off of the radiator.
3. Remove the coolant fan.
4. Remove the radiator hoses from the radiator.
5. Remove the bolts that hold the radiator to the bracket.
6. Use wire cutters to cut the large round plastic fasteners which hold the shroud to the radiator. You will need some new ones for reinstallation, but you can buy a box of them in the HELP! section of your local auto parts store for a couple of dollars.
7. Pull the radiator out.

One note - the Haynes manual says you have to remove the hood to remove the radiator. I've done it in the driveway on two Fieros, and never had to remove the hood.

From: Sketch

Cleaning

For the past few days, my Fiero has been running warmer than usual, especially for this time of year.

Last night I got down on my back and looked up under the front bumper at the AC Condensor/Radiator. I found a plastic grocery bag, several large Oak leaves, and a piece of a Hardie's deluxe cheesburger wrapper obstructing the cooling fins. I used a soft brush to clean away all the dirt and insects after removing the trash. Cooling is back to normal now.

I remembered the plastic grocery bag blowing across the highway last Wednesday on my way home from work, and thinking "I hope that thing doesn't get sucked up on my converter and stink up things." That has happened before. But, I didn't even think about the radiator.

The air intake for the Fiero is close to the road and the radiator is not visible without crawling under the car. All kinds of junk can get sucked up in there. How long has it been since you have given yours the old eyeball?

From: Randy T. Agee