Replacing a Freelander 2 radiator

THIS 2013 Freelander 2 with 75,000 miles on the clock had no signs of overheating, just a puddle of leaked coolant under the front while parked up and a ‘low-coolant’ warning message on the dash. A pressure test confirmed a leak from the bottom edge of the radiator where corrosion could be seen, confirming a replacement radiator would be required.

The last radiator I replaced in a car took around 15 minutes – just two bolts and two compression clips to undo, lift the old one out and drop the new one in – and the radiator cost about £40. I was shocked that almost the complete front of the car had to be dismantled on this Freelander 2 to replace the radiator. The radiator isn’t overly expensive but, if air conditioning is fitted, its condenser needs to be removed, involving draining and refilling the refrigerant, at extra cost. Then