First off, I know that the pro techs sometimes get grief and abuse around here, and then in a stunning bit of irony, get asked the next day for help fixing the wife's minivan. Let me point out that I have never been one of those to heap abuse, and (in younger days) know what it's like to earn a living out of one's rollaway (on an earlier generation of cars).
Anyway... I just got through pulling the radiator from the wife's '98 Grand Voyager. There is a stunning amount of carnage laying around the shop floor. In my defense, I will say that the rear hatch is not among the parts I pulled in my [successful] attempt to keep the A/C system intact. At fault, among other minor nuisances, were the two lower fasteners attaching the condenser to the radiator. Seeing how this thing is put together, I see two ways of doing the radiator R&R - pull the condenser with the radiator (including an A/C recharge with the job), or pull the nose of the van.
I would appreciate input on any or all of the following questions from real world techs:
1. Does R&R radiator automatically include recharge A/C, or do you pull the nose, or do you use some third method?
2. Can the transmission cooling lines be replaced with high-pressure fuel hose, or do they have to be molded, kryptonite-impregnated dealership hoses?
3. Is a cracked radiator tank (120k miles) on these vans rare as hen's teeth, common as dirt, or somewhere in between?
Thanks for your time.
