Hi all

My radiator is shot and needs replacing. Before I tackle the job at home, has anyone here managed to change the rad in a 3.6 (or 4.4) without removing the A/C refrigerant?

The workshop manual indicates that to remove the radiator one has to first remove the 'cooling module'- being the combined condenser fan and core, intercooler, and radiator- from the car. Once removed as a package, it can be separated it into its component pieces. This process includes removing the AC refrigerant, which means it's beyond the realms of DIY.

The cooling module is held together by two full-height plastic brackets, one each side of the assembly. They sandwich the rad, intercooler, and condenser together.

The sceptic within me thinks that there's sufficient room either side of the module to loosen these brackets in-situ. This would allow the rad to be pulled without removing the intercooler or condenser from the car.

The unknown in this equation is which bolts and clips need to be removed to loosen the brackets (beyond the obvious two in each corner of the rad), and how inaccessible these might be.

All insights appreciated


Will 2007 FFRR Vogue 3.6 TDV8 (Buckingham Blue)
1979 Jaguar XJ12 5.3 LWB (Juniper Green)

Hi there,

I am also interested in how to remove the intercooler without removing the whole pack.

Any ideas ?

It can be done, takes just some time and effort, as it clearly is designed to be taken part as one unit.

Did the job on my frontyard 2 years ago, when my 3,6 decided not to hold coolant in anymore.

Basically everything from the front end must be taken apart to have the room for the job. When the HVAC-module is visible, there´s like 752 small screws around it. Pretty much all must be unscrewed to be able to bend the plastic surroundings open.

It´s quite straight forward job, as you start to dismantle things, you keep seeing what needs to be taken out next. Tricky part may be the fan, there´s not much room when in place and mine didn´t want to come out, so if can get the fan out, more room will be available and less cuts in your hands.

Will attach couple of pics when I find them. -07 Stornoway Gray TDV8

Thanks a lot for the feedback.
It sounds like an impressive job when you take the front part away. Indeed quite straightforward for the basic elements.

On mine, I will be able to remove the engine-side fan. I took it off 2 weeks ago when I changed the alternator.

On my L322, I may have to change the intercooler. I have the whole set : black smoke when on full load, DTC's on the engine...

I will keep you posted of the jobs done.