Radiator replacement/swap instructions needed

CANDACEISBIZARRE

MEMBER
2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER
195,000 MILES

I got stuck at the bottom of a really muddy slick hill and I got stuck up. I had to get pulled by a chain up the hill to get unstuck. So I had someone else to drive my car out of there and when they were pulling my car out the chain came unloose and when he re-hooked the chain up to my car he must have hooked the chain up to my radiator or something because when they pulled it all the way up out of there I walked up the hill behind it and I saw a bunch of dark brownish looking fluid everywhere. Looked kind of like oil and two rubber circle plug pieces that were broke off laying on the ground too. I hurried up and took it close to park it and it started running hot and they looked under it and said that my radiator was busted it had a hole in it. I have a radiator out of a Suzuki Sidekick car that he gave me to use to replace my bad one with. He took a tape measure and measured the radiator and he said he thinks it will fit. Do you think that I will be able to use that good radiator out of the Suzuki Sidekick car to put in my car? And how do I take my radiator out and how do I put that one out of the Suzuki back into my car correctly and what all fluids and parts do I need to have to fix it with?

3 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
108,179 POSTS

Welcome to 2CarPros.

Honestly, I can help you with the removal and replacement of a direct fit part, but I have no idea if the other will work. There are specific mounting points, radiators have different capacities, they have different core thickness for different coolant abilities, if your car is an automatic, then it will have transmission cooling lines to it in a specific place, the radiator hoses could be located in different places and could be different sizes, the cooling fans have to mount to it and the list goes on. Without being there, I have no idea what exactly you are facing. I strongly recommend getting a direct fit part in this case.

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Here are the directions for replacing the radiator with a direct fit part. The attached pics correlate with the directions. You will see in the pics, there are a lot of mounting points for different things that are needed and will most likely not be the same on the Suzuki radiator.

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PROCEDURES
RADIATOR

REMOVAL

pic 1

WARNING: Do not open the radiator draincock with the system hot and under pressure because serious burns from coolant can occur.

NOTE: It is not necessary to discharge the air conditioning system to remove the radiator.

1. Drain cooling system.
2. Remove radiator fan.
3. Turbocharger Equipped Vehicles: Disconnect and cap the power steering hoses.
4. Disconnect lower radiator hose (3).
5. Non-Turbo Vehicles with Automatic Transmission: Remove two fasteners attaching transmission oil cooler to radiator.

Pic 2

6. Non-Turbo Vehicles: Remove lower radiator air seal from side radiator air seals (2, 3).

Pic 3

7. Remove fasteners (2) attaching AC condenser to radiator. Reposition AC condenser.
8. Turbocharger Equipped Vehicles: Remove fasteners (5) attaching charge air cooler to radiator.

Pic 4

9. Remove radiator assembly (2) by lifting it up from the engine compartment. Care should be taken not to damage the cooling fins and tubes during removal.
10. Non-Turbo Vehicles: Remove the lower air seal from radiator.

CLEANING
Clean radiator fins are necessary for good heat transfer. The radiator and air conditioning fins should be cleaned when an accumulation of debris has occurred. With the engine cold, apply cold water and compressed air to the back (engine side) of the radiator to flush the radiator and/or A/C condenser of debris.

INSPECTION
Inspect the radiator tanks for cracks, broken or missing fittings also inspect the joint where the tanks seam up to the radiator core for signs of leakage and/or deteriorating seals.
Inspect radiator core for corroded, bent or missing cooling fins. Inspect the core for bent or damaged cooling tubes.

INSTALLATION

pic 5

1. Non-Turbo Vehicles: Install the lower air seal to radiator.

NOTE: Turbocharger Equipped Vehicles: When lowering radiator, make sure lower radiator pins engage properly through charge air cooler locating tabs (1).

2. Position radiator into mounting position.
3. Position A/C condenser against radiator. Hand start fasteners.
4. Turbocharger Equipped Vehicles: Install fasteners attaching charge air cooler to radiator. Torque fasteners to 8 Nm (70 inch lbs.).

Pic 6

5. Install radiator fan/shroud assembly. Hand start fasteners.
6. Torque all condenser fasteners to 8 Nm (70 inch lbs.).
7. Torque all radiator fan fasteners to 6 Nm (55 inch lbs.).
8. Non-Turbo Vehicles with Automatic Transmission: Install fasteners attaching transmission oil cooler to radiator. Torque fasteners to 8 Nm (70 inch lbs.).
9. Raise vehicle on hoist.

Pic 7

10. Non-Turbo Vehicles: Connect the lower air seal to the side air seals.
11. Connect lower radiator hose. Align the hose and position the clamp so it will not interfere with engine components.
12. Connect the radiator fan electrical connector.
13. Turbocharger Equipped Vehicles: Connect the power steering hoses.
14. Close radiator draincock.
15. Lower vehicle.

Pic 8

16. Turbocharger equipped vehicles: Inspect radiator inlet neck O-ring. Replace if necessary. Install radiator inlet neck. Torque fasteners to 6 Nm (55 inch lbs.).
17. Connect upper radiator hose. Align the hose and position the clamp to prevent interference with the engine or hood.
18. Install upper radiator closure panel and center brace.
19. Install grille.
20. Install battery tray and battery.
21. Connect positive battery cable. Connect negative battery cable.
22. Install air cleaner housing assembly.
23. Fill cooling system with coolant.
24. Operate engine until it reaches normal operating temperature. Check cooling system for correct fluid level.
25. Turbocharger Equipped Vehicles: Check power steering fluid level. Fill as needed.

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Let me know if this helps or if you have other questions.

Take care,
Joe

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