Free Automotive Repair Advice by Certified ASE Technicians
How To Repair / Radiator-1 / Radiator-2 / Radiator-3 / Radiator-4
How to Change a Radiator
The vehicle's radiator is the component
that removes heat from the engine through
thermo heat exchange. It is usually located
in the front of the vehicle under the hood.
The engine creates heat from the internal
combustion that continuously occurs inside
the engine, this heat is transferred to the
engine coolant, then circulated through the
thermostat then to the radiator. Inside the
radiator there are many small tubes with
cooling fins attached that allows the
coolant to be cooled and then returned to
the engine in a continuous cycle. Radiators
are mostly made of 2 plastic tanks and an
aluminum core.
(READ COMPLETELY BEFORE STARTING!)
Step
1 of 11. Identify Radiator Removal Points Cooling
System Components (top)
The thermostat housing is where the
thermostat resides, it is connected to the
radiator upper tank. The system is filled
and checked at the radiator cap
(IMPORTANT! A cooling system can have up to
15 p.s.i. when hot, only repair or check
when ENGINE IS COLD as personal injury can
result.) The radiator is held in place
by the radiator holder brackets and is
usually near the top radiator tank. Some
radiator configurations may vary in
appearance but the concept is the same.
(Wear protective gloves and eyewear when
replacing.)
Step
2 of 11. Disconnect Negative Battery Terminal
Make sure the ignition key is in the off
position, loosen the terminal pinch bolt and
disconnect the battery terminal (gloves
suggested). Anytime you perform repair work
like this it is a good idea to disconnect
the battery to avoid electrical short
circuits. Always disconnect the negative
battery cable to avoid a short to ground and
NEVER let the wrench contact to positive
side of the battery. Make sure the battery
is clean at all times. If corrosion exists
rinse battery with water (hose) and sprinkle
with baking soda to naturalize the remaining
acid.
Step
3 of 11. Drain Cooling System
(Bottom View) Locate the radiator
drain valve, turn it counter clockwise to
loosen. On some cars there is a protective
plastic splash guard that may need to be
removed to access the radiator drain valve.
RADIATOR
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Radiator Cooling System Replacement Parts
Before starting determine which cooling
system parts are needed. Inspect your
cooling system radiator, hoses, thermostat,
radiator cap and water pump then purchase
the appropriate parts to complete the job.
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Purchase
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Radiator - A Radiator will
last between about 70,000 and
130,000 miles depending on how many
times the coolant has been changed.
If you do not change your coolant
regularly, between 30,000 and 40,000
miles the coolant chemical base
changes from a cooling system
protector to a acidic chemical that
will corrode your radiator and cause
a radiator to fail prematurely.
Service your radiator and cooling
system regularly for a long trouble
free life for your vehicle.
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Purchase
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Radiator Cap - A Radiator
Cap is used to accomplish two operations.
First it is were the cooling system
is refilled with engine coolant. The
second is the pressure that is
retained by the cap when the vehicle
is operating. For ever two pounds of
pressure a cooling system can hold,
it gains one degree of boiling
point. The hotter a engine can run
and not boil over, the more efficient
it becomes. A typical system will
hold between 15 and 18 P.S.I. If a
radiator cap cannot hold this
pressure a vehicle will over heat.
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Purchase
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Radiator Hose - A
radiator hose is used to transfer
coolant from the engine to the
radiator and back again. Radiator
hoses are made of rubber and are a
regular maintenance item. Most
radiator hoses will last between
60,000 and 100,000 miles depending
on cooling system service. Don't
wait until the hose is ready to fail
before replacing it. |
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Purchase
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Thermostat - A cooling system
thermostat is used to control the
operating temperature of the
vehicles engine. Most thermostats
open and let the engine coolant flow
to the radiator about 195 degrees F.
Replace your thermostat every time
you service the cooling system to
avoid a thermostat failure. A stuck
thermostat is a very common problem
in
overheating vehicles. |
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Purchase
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Water Pump - A water pump is
used to circulate engine coolant
inside the engine and out to the
radiator and back again. When a
water pump fails it can make a
groaning or squeaking noise. A water
pump also has a shaft seal that can
fail allowing coolant to leak
externally. |
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Purchase
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Radiator Cooling Fan Motor -
A radiator cooling fan motor is used
to pull or push air through the
radiator to help cool the vehicles
engine. Mounted on the radiator fan
housing, it is very easy to replace. |
Also see:Additional "How to" Car Repair or Services
1.How to Replace Air Filter
2.How to Change a Cabin filter
3.How to Change Oil and Filter
4.How to Tune Up with Throttle Bore Service
5.How to Replace a Radiator
6.How to Replace Fuel Filter
7.How to Read Trouble Codes
8.How Filters Work
9.How to Replace Front Brake Pads
10.How to Replace Rear Brake Pads
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