Basic Steps In Replacing Your Car Or Light Truck's Radiator
Any engine that liquid cooled requires a radiator to cool the water, which will in turn, cool the engine. If the radiator is not functioning properly, the engine will overheat and will most likely be damaged (for example, a "blown" head gasket). When the radiator is not working correctly, it must be replaced. This is a task that won't be difficult for the person who is mechanically inclined.
The first thing you will want to do is gather the necessary tools. You will need a long, flat blade screw driver, as well as a short flat bladed screw driver, as well as a short angled pick to break the seal on the hoses and various sizes of open ended wrenches. A socket set and ratchet will also be necessary, as well as a bucket to drain the fluid into. Not having the right tools can easily turn this job into a nightmare, so make certain you have them before you start.
Before you get started, it is important to know a few precautions. The first is to never open the radiator cap if the engine is hot, as you could easily end up burned by the steam escaping. You should also dispose of the antifreeze immediately, as its sweet taste could be a temptation for children or pets. As it is very toxic, it must be disposed of at a recycling facility in your area.
The first step is going to be to remove the old radiator from your vehicle. This involves disconnecting the batter to make certain that none of the cooling fans are accidentally turned on when your hands are in the area. After this is done, you can then unscrew the drain plain on the radiator, which is usually located near one of the bottom corners, and let all of the antifreeze drain out into the bucket.
Once the radiator has drained, you can then remove all of the plastic covers that are near to the radiator. There may also be an electric connection that goes to the fan. This should be removed, as well as the fan assembly. However, before you remove them, make sure you take a good look at how they are positioned, as it will make it much easier for you to put them back together.
It is now time to disconnect all of the hoses from the radiator. You will find they will be attached with clamps and these can easily be loosed with the flat head screwdriver you have. All of the hoses should be inspected and if they look worn or cracked, this is the perfect time to replace them, as well.
You can then disconnect the cooling lines that are on the bottom of the radiator. You will need an open faced wrench to do this and make certain you do not damage any of them in their removal or you will have to replace these, a swell. After these have been disconnected, you can then remove all of the screws, brackets, or clamps that are holding the radiator in place and carefully lift the radiator up to remove it from its frame.
Now that the old radiator has been removed, you can take a minute to breathe before you start the installation of the new one. Basically, you are going to do everything you did before, but will be doing it backwards.
The first step is to put the new radiator in the frame and attach all of the screws, brackets, or clamps that will hold it there. You can then reconnect the cooling lines to the new radiator, while again, being careful not to put any bends or kinks into them. Once this is complete, move on to reconnecting the cooling hoses of the radiator.
After all of the hoses have been reconnected, you can then replace the fan assembly that you carefully studied before removing it. Just be certain that you do not forget to reconnect the electrical connection or the fans will not work. The last step is to replace all of the plastic covers that you removed before you started.
The last step is to refill the radiator with new liquids. Generally, most vehicles use a 50-50 ratio of antifreeze and water, but this will depend on the climate you live in and should be verified beforehand. When you are done, you will always want to verify that there are no leaks anywhere, by monitoring the temperature gauge and fluid levels. Don't forget to look under the vehicle to see if any hoses or connections are leaking. Test the car out and be proud of the fact that you just changed your own radiator and saved a lot of money on the labor costs.
Please note that if you need a radiator, Radiators Galore is one of the premier suppliers in the US. With over 52 nationwide shipping locations, you'll get a great quality radiator fast. Best yet, they're backed by a lifetime limited warranty.
About the Author
John David Embry has years of experience in the automotive industry. He specializes in used engines and radiators.
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