Ducato x250 radiator change. (1 Viewer)

[Johnnyb]

Has anyone changed the radiator on a 2.3 engined x250 & can give me any pointers before I start? I've found quite a few guides for the previous shape Ducato but none for the x250.

The problem I've got is a small amount of coolant dripping off the intercooler which is fastened to the bottom of the radiator. I've had a very quick look at the hoses which all seem dry at the clamps so suspect the radiator is at fault.

 

[DanielFord]

I could be wrong, but I think you have to remove the front bumper first, then you can get at the rad.

 

[Johnnyb]

Thanks for the replies so far.

Yes, using water and having to top it up occasionally. I've followed the overflow pipe but it disappears into an area I can't see properly. Not spotted the fan switch yet. The radiator itself is pretty difficult to see, it has the fans on one side, the air con condenser on the other and the intercooler along the bottom.

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[dave newell]

Yes I've done a couple of X250 rads, one on my own van.

Open the bonnet.
Remove the front grill panel.
Remove the slam panel.
Remove the cap from ther expansion bottle/header tank.
Disconnect bottom hose and drain coolant.
Disconnect top hose.
Disconnect fans.
Lift rad out.
Reverse procedure and refill with fresh coolant.

Unless you know its been done within a couple of years I'd replace the cambelt and water pump while you've got the front off becaue access is so much better with all that bodywork out of the way.

Rad swap according to Autodata is 1.35 hours.

D.

 

[TheBig1]

Download the X250 workshop manual here
https://www.dropbox.com/s/4ki7hp9ihep5vkz/DUCATO_CD3.ISO?dl=0

 

[Johnnyb]

Thanks for the links and suggestions everyone, really appreciate it.

To answer a few questions, the van is 6 years old and has covered 19000 miles. The antifreeze is ok and the cambelt and water pump were changed just over 2 years ago. It does seem quite rare for the radiator to fail on the x250 as there is hardly any info about but I'll be giving it a very close going over before I start tearing it to pieces

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[Johnnyb]

To give an idea of the topping up required, a 300 mile non stop journey will see the level in the header tank drop around 2cm so not losing gallons but enough to raise concerns. As mentioned, I can see coolant dripping off the bottom of the intercooler (which is on the bottom of the radiator), what route the coolant is taking to drip off the intercooler is the puzzle.

 

[olsgreen]

Old thread I know, but I've got exactly the same issue.

What was the outcome? Did you change the rad?

 

[Landy Andy]

I’ve changed mine and there are a few variations of X250 rads. You will need to know what you’ve got, and what you want.

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[Landy Andy]

Some sites have full engineers drawing for the rads which is a great help. Main points on the 250 were the thickness and the size of intercooler mounts on the bottom from memory. There were also massive differences in cost when looking into it.

 

[dunnah01]

Radweld isn't as demonic as many think and will usually sort out small weeps

 

[Simon Meadwell]

My Citroen relay work van looses about 25mm in header about every two to three weeks. Nobody can trace the leak so i top up every week if required no problem.

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[dunnah01]

I'd never recommend using it over changing a rad but I've chucked some in a few cars to get by with generally good results and no bad things happening. Usually the repair lasts as long as I have the car (between 1 day and 2 years ) The Radweld I'm used to is pretty thin and pours easily but there are different flavours of the same thing out there.

 

[olsgreen]

I used radweld on an old escort and it did the trick, not willing to stick it in my van!

 

[chatteris]

K seal is what you need, had a leak on the heater of my x250 work van put 2 bottles of k seal in 6 years ago and had no problems since then

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[RustyRuss]

We went to northern Spain in my MX5 mk1 (see Avatar to the left). The temp guage went through the red zone and out the other side as we neared the channel tunnel on the way down. I suspected a sludgy radiator. We ran no faster than 80mph on the French motorways in full July sunshine with the lid down and the heater on max blowing through the windscreen vents. I had phoned the guy I get all my MX5 bits from whilst still in the chunnel carpark and he said a replacement rad would be £35 plus around the same for delivery to Bilbao. I gave him the Spanish address and the bloody radiator got there before we did! I found a nice high kerb in a nudist beach car park and swapped out the old one. I always carry a basic set of tools, socket set, spanners, screwdrivers etc. so it wasn't difficult to do. Took a bit longer than I expected though as the views were so appealing........

How did the original OP get on? Did he get it fixed? I hate it when you follow a thread for ages and don't get the final chapter, it's a bit like someone nicking the last page out of your holiday novel!!

Cheers!

Russ

 

[olsgreen]

RustyRuss Funnily enough I'm in southern France and I'm weighing up my options... I think I may well do it down here or at least get it so that if it does go I can do it!

 

[B-well]

How did the original OP get on? Did he get it fixed? I hate it when you follow a thread for ages and don't get the final chapter, it's a bit like someone nicking the last page out of your ho...........

Russ

HOW DID THIS END.................

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