Radiator removal

Tiny
SACFOX186
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 CHRYSLER 300M
  • 3.5L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 165,000 MILES
I removed the fan, the coolant hoses, the upper and lower hoses and the 2 screws on the front of the radiator, but the problem is; I i'm not sure how to get to the bolt on the driver side of the radiator. Do I remove the front bumper for access? If so how?
Thursday, November 12th, 2020 AT 11:04 AM

16 Replies

Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Here is the process from the manual. Take a look at this and then let us know if you need more info. If you still can't get it, can you get a couple pictures of what you are dealing with then we will go from there? Thanks
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Thursday, November 12th, 2020 AT 11:33 AM
Tiny
SACFOX186
  • MEMBER
  • 38 POSTS
Got it. But now the lower coolant line doesn't even fit. The fitting's all wrong. And it's getting colder, will what's left in the engine (coolant) hold through a couple more days? Lower 40's coming up.
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Thursday, November 12th, 2020 AT 1:59 PM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
I am not sure I understand. The lower radiator hose does not fit on the new radiator? Is this the hose that was on the vehicle or did you change it?

Also, do you mean will the coolant in the engine be ok for it to sit through the cold weather until you get the new hose? Clearly you can't drive it with the hose off so if this is what you mean, it will be fine. You don't need to worry about the engine not having coolant in it through cold weather. The purpose of coolant is to keep the engine from overheating and the alcohol in the coolant is only to keep the coolant from freezing. You don't want frozen coolant when you start the engine because the engine will overheat before it thaws (maybe) and frozen liquid expands and it will possibly crack the engine.
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Thursday, November 12th, 2020 AT 2:19 PM
Tiny
SACFOX186
  • MEMBER
  • 38 POSTS
The lower oil coolant line I think that's what it is. Not the larger coolant hose. I guess it's time for another radiator. Besides it's going up for sale. It's got me burning mad. A money pit.
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Thursday, November 12th, 2020 AT 2:30 PM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Haha. Totally understand. Yes. If you cannot thread that oil line back in then you cannot drive it either. You will just have transmission fluid spraying everywhere and it will not build pressure due to the large leak.

However, if that is left off until you get what is needed, that is fine. You will not lose all your transmission fluid but just keep a bucket under it. Plus it will be okay for a while, just make sure you top of the transmission fluid before you finish the job.
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Thursday, November 12th, 2020 AT 6:15 PM
Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,648 POSTS
Hello, I'm Danny.

Sorry your getting frustrated. So I just want to add my 2 cents. I've attached a picture below and circled the oil cooler and transmission cooler lines in red. Which is the line that is not attaching due to thread or adapter issues? Get back to us and we'll go from there. Hope this helps and thanks again for using 2CarPros.
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Thursday, November 12th, 2020 AT 6:25 PM
Tiny
SACFOX186
  • MEMBER
  • 38 POSTS
Lower transmission coolant line. I'm looking at this and it seems that "nipple"remains. I undid the old one leaving it in the line to remove radiator faster. So I should try to remove the old one and the line should attach?
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Friday, November 13th, 2020 AT 1:06 AM
Tiny
SACFOX186
  • MEMBER
  • 38 POSTS
This hose that resembles horseshoe shape is what's messing me up.
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Friday, November 13th, 2020 AT 9:08 AM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
I just want to make sure I am understanding. I pointed to the old and new lines. Is this correct? If it, then yes, just unscrew those band clamps and remove that brass connector and then slide that line onto the hard line for the oil.

Does that make sense?
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Friday, November 13th, 2020 AT 4:22 PM
Tiny
SACFOX186
  • MEMBER
  • 38 POSTS
I am trying to remove brass connector. But that is the toughest hose to get off. There's not much of a line to snip it.I wish I could. Thanks.
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Friday, November 13th, 2020 AT 6:01 PM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
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It may be molded to the line. Luckily it is a rubber line so worst case, you could cut it and then just use a coupler to add an extension. Let me know if you need help figuring that out.
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Saturday, November 14th, 2020 AT 10:09 AM
Tiny
SACFOX186
  • MEMBER
  • 38 POSTS
Well, I have it all back together. I used the old one, tightened the nipple, then I was able to loosen the hose with pliers and a screw driver, then I slid the old one out, put the new one in and hooked everything back up. But now another minor problem; how do you replenish the coolant? Do you start it and while engine is cool pour coolant in the plastic bottle and hope it gets sucked into the radiator?
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Sunday, November 15th, 2020 AT 8:25 AM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
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There are a number of ways to do it. I attached the info from the manual and a guide that will help in more general terms. However, you want to fill the radiator with as much as it will hold then let the engine warm up so the thermostat opens then it will pull it in from the radiator and you will want to keep the funnel full while it is filling the engine and hoses.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/coolant-flush-and-refill-all-cars
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Sunday, November 15th, 2020 AT 3:38 PM
Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,648 POSTS
Hello again.

Glad to hear you were able to finish the repair. Let us know if you have any further questions on this repair. Hope this helps and thanks again for using 2CarPros.

Danny-
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Friday, November 20th, 2020 AT 10:39 PM
Tiny
SACFOX186
  • MEMBER
  • 38 POSTS
Yeah. Thanks for the help. I tell people if they need help on their car to go here.
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Saturday, November 21st, 2020 AT 1:33 PM
Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
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You're welcome !
Hope you will use our site again in the future. Thanks again for using 2CarPros.

Danny-
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Saturday, November 21st, 2020 AT 2:02 PM

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