What Does It Mean When Mercedes Says 'ESP Inoperative See Owner's Manual'
Radiator
1. Kia Sedona 2.9 TDI LE Auto 2003
LV02S Task 2
Remove & Refit Coolant Radiator
Coolant Pressure Test
Check Antifreeze Strength & Type
2. NOTE: The air conditioning system has been pre drained for your safety. If you were
opening the system a new receiver drier and o ring would need to be fitted. The gas
would also need to be drained and refilled along with adding some compressor oil.
3. You will need the following tools and equipment to remove the radiator.
Pry-bar, 2 x hose clamps, hose clip removal tool, 3/8 socket set.
4. You will also need a clean drain tray to catch the coolant in, this must be clean
because to be environmentally friendly coolant should always be reused wherever
possible. A clean water can and some funnels will also be useful.
5. You will also need to use a coolant pressure testing kit.
6. Once the vehicle is safely on the lift raise the bonnet and locate the cooling system pressure cap.
**DANGER** ensure that the engine is cold and remove the coolant pressure cap slowly to avoid
scalding. The system is pressurised to 1 bar (14.7 psi) whilst the engine is running and once
switched off until it has cooled. If it is still warm place a rag over the cap and undo slowly
releasing the pressure. Never open a hot cooling system straight away you will be scalded.
7. Raise the vehicle on the lift and locate the radiator drain tap on the O/S lower of the
radiator. You can reach it by putting your hand through this gap.
8. You can just about see the coolant drain tap through the gap between the front sub
frame and the radiator mount/cross-member.
9. Remove the 2 x 10mm bolts and the jubilee clip holding the engine air intake to the
slam panel and remove it.
10. Undo the electrical connector connecting the horn, there is a small plastic tag that you
have to depress with your thumbnail.
11. Remove 2 x 10mm bolts holding the bonnet latch to the slam panel, do not remove
the latch just leave it in place.
12. Now release the clips holding the wiring loom in place on the slam panel, leave the
wiring loom in place, you are removing the slam panel soon.
13. Remove 6 x 13mm bolts there are 3 at each end of the slam panel, carefully remove
the slam panel and place it on the bench.
18. Now you need to remove the electric cooling fan and cowling from behind the coolant radiator. It
is pretty tight between the radiator and engine so you need to take care not to damage the
radiators delicate cooling fins. Undo 3x 10mm bolts holding the fan the first is here.
20. To get to the lower cooling fan bolt you will need the following tools from your 3/8
drive kit. It is quite difficult to access the lower of the three bolts, however this kit
makes it quite easy to reach once you have located it.
22. Lift the cooling fan clear of the vehicle taking care not to damage the delicate radiator
core.
23. Remove the top radiator hose, you need to squeeze the clip with pliers, leave the clip
in place and pull/twist the hose until it is clear.
24. Next you need to remove the power steering cooler hoses, there are two on the N/S
of the radiator. Clamp them both off to avoid losing the power steering fluid. Remove
the clip and pull/twist the hose to remove it.
25. You will need to use the remote clip removal tool to access the lower power steering
cooler hose clip. Note the position of the hose clamp to prevent fluid loss. Clean
away any spilled fluid with a rag.
26. Remove the lower radiator hose using the remote clip removal tool.
27. Remove the bolt holding the air conditioning (AC) pipe from the AC condenser
(radiator) and separate the joint.
29. The radiator will now be free to lift out of the vehicle, ask a fellow student for help
with this.
30. Inspect the radiator core for corrosion especially at the bottom where the dirt collects
the most.
31. Inspect the radiator tanks and seals, hose fittings for leaks and cracks. Check that the drain tap is
tight!! Also check the condition of the radiator mountings. Finally have a look at the core, are
there any leaks? Is it corroded? Are a large number of fins damaged? Record your findings on
your jobcard.
32. Now follow the removal steps in reverse order to reassemble the vehicle. Take care
not to miss anything out. If you skip any steps it may mean doing something twice!!
33. During rebuild note that the hoses need to be positioned correctly to prevent rubbing
whilst the vehicle is moving. Note the markers on the radiator hoses.
35. Always refill the coolant slowly to prevent air locking and spillages. This will save you lots of time
later on. Use a strainer funnel to prevent dirt entering the system. Don’t forget to check the
power steering oil reservoir too as some of that fluid will have spilled.
36. Once the system is refilled you can use the coolant pressure tester to check your work.
Fit the adapter cap (4) to the system. Make sure the cap aperture is clean before
fitting otherwise it will leak!!
37. Fit the pressure tester and pump it up to 1 bar (14.7psi) this mimics the pressure created by the
heat of the engine during running. Allow the system to rest for 5 minutes, if the pressure remains
then the system is leak free. If not start trying to locate the leak by listening and looking.
38. Once you have checked the system you can check the condition of the coolant
pressure cap. It should blow off at just over 1 bar any more or less then it is faulty.
Also check the physical condition of the cap.
