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Like all of the components inside of a car, sooner or later the time will come when your radiator needs replacement. The good news here is that, for those with a DIY inclination and some basic automotive know-how, this task can be accomplished fairly easily. If you would like to increase your knowledge of automotive repair, read on. This article will discuss the first phase of a radiator replacement--removing a bad radiator.
Step 1: Take off the shroud.
Your car's radiator can be found under the hood next to the engine. It can easily be identified by the fact that its sides are made up of horizontal metal ridges. Once you've pinpointed its exact location, the next step is to remove the fan shroud. The purpose of this component is to help direct the flow of air across the radiator, thus increasing the rate of cooling.
Look for a number of bolts protruding from the top of the fan shroud. By unscrewing and removing these bolts with an appropriately sized wrench, you should be able to lift the shroud out of place. Do this as gently as possible, wiggling it back and forth until it comes loose in your hands. If it won't come free, this probably means you missed one of the bolts.
Step 2: Drain coolant from the radiator.
To successfully--and safely--drain your radiator you will need a couple of items. First is a drain pan with a capacity of at least two gallons. Second is a pair of heavy-duty rubber gloves, which will keep the toxic substances from irritating the skin of your hands. Once you've got both of these things, head beneath the car and look for the petcock valve on the bottom of the radiator. All you have to do is pull down on the petcock to release the coolant inside. Just be sure that you've got your drain pan lined up before doing this.
Step 3: Detach the radiator and its hoses and wires.
Find the mounting bolts holding the radiator in place and unscrew them with the appropriately sized socket wrench. Because these bolts may be set back and difficult to reach, you may find it necessary to use a ratchet extension to get them loose. Once the bolts have been removed, it will be time to detach the two hoses.
Both the upper and the lower radiator hose are attached by metal clamps. Unscrewing the retaining bolt and lifting the clamp out of place will allow you to gently pull the hose free. Finally, you'll need to detach the radiator's wiring harness. Simply pull each of the wires out of its socket, taking care not to crack or damage the harness in the process. You should now be able to lift your radiator easily out of place.
For assistance, talk to a professional like Hillis 66 Service.
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