Logo Automobile Information Add Site to Favorites  
Auto Repair
Auto Repair Home
Auto Repair Ask a Car Repair Question
Auto Repair Car Question Forum
Auto Repair Questions by Manufacturer
Auto Repair Questions by Topic
Auto Repair First Things to Check
Auto Repair How to Repair or Service
Auto Repair Car Repair Manuals
Auto Repair How Does it Work
Auto Repair Car Repair Video Series
Auto Repair Auto Maintenance
Auto Repair Car Sound Problems
Auto Repair Auto Term Abbreviations
   
   
 
Popular Site Links

  

Auto Repair Automobile Safety Inspection
Auto Repair Brake Replacement Guides
Auto Repair Service Engine Soon Light
Auto Repair Belt Routing Diagrams
Auto Repair Avoid Car Repair Rip Offs
Auto Repair Trouble Code Table
Auto Repair How to use Diagnostic Tools
Auto Repair Smog Test Preparation
Auto Repair Hybrid Car Information
Auto Repair Test Equipment Store
Auto Repair Auto Parts
 
Search Website
 
 
Recent Repair Topics

 

Auto Repair2005 Mercury Monterey Heat
Auto Repair1979 Dodge Van Engine R...
Auto Repair1992 Ford Station Wagon ...
Auto Repair1988 Ford F150 Fuel Tanks
Auto Repair1976 Ford F150 Cranks B...
Auto Repair2006 Honda Civic
Auto Repair1999 Dodge Durango Shif...
Auto Repair More Repair Topics...
 


     
       


Car Repair Help by Professional Mechanics



How Do I Repair My Car? / How Do I Change My Car Radiator?

How Do I Change My Car Radiator?

The vehicle's radiator is the component that removes heat from the engine through thermal 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.

Step 1: Identify Radiator and Cooling System Components (under hood)

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.  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.

Step 2: 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: 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.

Step 4: Remove Lower Hose Connections and Drain Radiator

(Bottom View) After the coolant has drained completely, locate lower hose connections to remove clamps and hoses. If your vehicle has lower radiator mounts or cooling fan mounts, remove those bolts also. NOTE: (The cooling fan bolts are optional. Sometimes it is easier to disconnect the wires to the fans and remove the cooling fans with the radiator.)

Step 5 - Remove Upper Hose Connections

Locate upper radiator hose to remove hose clamps and hose connection. Locate and remove upper cooling fan mounting bolts as required.

Step 6 - Remove Upper Radiator Mount

Locate upper radiator mounting brackets and remove the mounting bolts. If you have elected to remove the cooling fans with the radiator, locate the electrical connector and disconnect it as needed. If you are leaving the cooling fans behind when removing the radiator, remove the upper cooling fan mounting bolts. (Note in this photo an air impact gun is being used but a regular wrench will work just fine.)

Step 7 - Remove and lift Radiator from Car, Truck or SUV

After all previous steps have been completed; inspect the general area of the radiator making sure all other obstructions have been cleared. Next, lift radiator from vehicle removing the cooling fans if needed.

Step 8 - Remove and Inspect Radiator

After removing the radiator from the vehicle, inspect the unit for mounting hole location and other key mounting brackets. Now you are ready to install the new radiator.

Step 9 - Replacing the New Radiator

Remove the radiator from the shipping carton and inspect it thoroughly for damage. Make sure all mounting holes are in the correct location and the overall size is correct.

Step 10 - Installing Cooling Fans

Remove the cooling fans from the old radiator and install onto the new radiator. Make sure the cooling fan motor turns freely after the cooling fans have been installed. Clean electrical connector and make sure it is free from debris.

Step 11 - Installing Radiator

After the radiator is ready for installation, inspect the vehicle cavity that the radiator resides in to make sure all dirt and leaves have been removed. Reinstall radiator and reconnect all hoses, clamps and mounting bolts. After reinstallation is complete, refill the radiator with engine coolant or water.  With the radiator cap off allow the engine to warm up. Top off the coolant level until at the full level. Reinstall the radiator cap and recheck the system for leaks. (Note: make sure the coolant reservoir is about half full with engine coolant, and recheck the coolant level when cold.)

How Do I Repair My Car? / How Do I Change My Car Radiator?

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.

ASK RADIATOR QUESTIONS - Join our question and answer forum where free auto repair questions are answered every month. After you have completed our free signup you will able to ask a question and receive an answer from one of our many forum members. If you elect to donate any small amount of money we will assign one of our 2CarPros Certified Repair Technicians to answer your question. Questions with donations are answered promptly and 100% of the donation is awarded to the technician helping you.

GET ONLINE CAR REPAIR MANUALS - Get instant access to your vehicles wiring diagrams, firing orders, component locator, vacuum diagrams, repair procedures, specific testing and diagnostics for troubleshooting, steering and suspension information, heating and air-conditioning problems, safety belt and airbag restraint repair, factory bulletins and general information and much more. We recommend that anyone needing technical repair information should have a quality auto repair manual for their car.

 

 

 

 

 





     
Popular Service Repairs
Test Fuses
Replace Front Brake Pads
Check Engine Light
Rear Brake Shoes
Rear Brake Pads
Test Alternator
Replace Air Filter
Test Battery
Tune Up
More Service Repairs...
Advertisement
Car Questions
Acura
Alfa Romeo
American Motors
Audi
BMW
Buick
Cadillac
Chevy
Chrysler
Citron
Daewoo
Daihatsu
Dodge
Eagle
Ferrari
Fiat
Ford
Geo
GMC
Honda
Holden
Hummer
Hyundai
Infiniti
International
Isuzu
Jaguar
Jeep
Kia
Land Rover
Lexus
Lincoln
Mazda
Mercedes Benz
MG
Mercury
Mini
Mitsubishi
Nissan
Oldsmobile
Opel
Peugeot
Plymouth
Pontiac
Porsche
Renault
Rolls Royce
Rover
Saab
Saturn
Scion
Seat
Skoda
Subaru
Suzuki
Toyota
Vauxhall
Volkswagen
Volvo

Home l Help l Privacy Policy l User Agreement l About Us l Computer Repair Question l Contact Us l Link to Us l We're Hiring l Affiliate Program
  Copyright © 1999 - 2009 2CarPros.com - Professional Mechanics Online