CSF7042 - CSF 2-Row Subaru Aluminum Radiator
CSF7042 - CSF 2-Row Subaru Aluminum Radiator
Subaru Impreza WRX 2008-2014
Subaru WRX STI 2008-2021
Congratulations on your purchase of the CSF Subaru GR Radiator! The following instructions will assist you through the installation process. Please read them BEFORE beginning the install to familiarize yourself with the steps and tools needed. If you feel you cannot properly perform this installation, we HIGHLY recommend you take the vehicle to a qualified and experienced automotive technician.
Table of Contents
Parts Included
CSF 2-Row Subaru Aluminum Radiator
Parts Needed
Manufacturer recommended coolant
Tools Needed
Stock Radiator Removal
Put your car on a safe level area and allow it to cool down. When in doubt let it sit longer, as coolant can hold heat for quite some time and severe burns are possible if you don't take your time.
Using a flat-blade screwdriver loosen the plastic clips retaining the air inlet scoop and then remove them using a trim tool. Once both are taken out remove the whole assembly from your engine bay.
Now is a good time to remove the coolant reservoir cap above the head of the engine. This will help the coolant drain out a little bit more easily.
Lifting the car up and supporting it on jack stands, start to remove the under tray by removing the two 12mm bolts at the front and single 12mm bolt at the rear
Next remove the two clips at the rear by pulling down on the bottom part and gently rocking the clip towards the rear of the car. They can be a bit tight, but make sure you don't pull hard enough to break them as they can get brittle over time.
On each side remove the three trim clips by pulling outward on the middle component to loosen, and then gently pry the lower half out. After all of them are removed you can lower and remove the skid tray from your vehicle. Set it somewhere out of the way.
Next position a drain pan or container to collect the coolant and remove the drain plug using a phillips head screwdriver
Using the drain plug can take a long time, however it's generally the cleanest way to do it. If you're impatient (or it's done draining) you can start on the lower radiator hose. Using needlenose pliers squeeze the spring clamp together until it locks in place fully expanded. A good way to get the hose loose at this point is to gently try twisting it back and forth to break the seal between the lower hose and the radiator. The stock hose clamp is small enough that it can be difficult to remove with the lower hose so oftentimes it's easier to hold the clamp over the radiator fitting while pulling the lower hose free. Even if the radiator is completely drained more coolant will come out at this point since the hose will also drain additional coolant from the engine block as well.
Once completely drained unhook the fan connections on both sides of the vehicle.
Next go back up to the top side of the engine bay. Remove these two bolts on the radiator fans to allow the crossover pipe to come free.
Use your pliers to remove the spring clamp and pull this hose off and out of the way.
Use your pliers again to remove the clamp and pull the upper radiator hose free.
Remove the upper radiator mounts using a 12mm socket.
The radiator mounts are different side to side but they are also marked appropriately as ML (Driver's Left USDM) and MR (Driver's Right USDM)
It's now time to carefully pull the radiator free. Go slow at first to make sure nothing is still attached. It's a good idea to dump it out the rest of the way in your drain pan once it's removed from the car as there can still be some coolant left over inside.
Remove the remaining two bolts holding the fan to the radiator and pull each one upward and out to remove from the stock radiator.
Take a second and double check to make sure the rubber mounts aren't still attached to the lower radiator and that they're still seated correctly on the vehicle side. Once done you can set the stock radiator aside.