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Your engine's radiator performs the essential task of cooling the radiator
fluid (or coolant) that keeps your engine running at the proper temperature,
and in many cases, it also cools the automatic transmission fluid. There are
no moving parts in a radiator, but corrosion from both the inside and the
outside eventually takes its toll, resulting in a leak. A green puddle of
coolant under your car is usually the first sign of a radiator leak. In most
cases, this leak is small enough that you can add coolant until a replacement
radiator can be obtained.
Modern vehicles' radiators typically have aluminum cores (the finned part) and
plastic side tanks. When used with today's modern radiator fluids (and with
proper preventative maintenance), these modern radiators can last up to
150,000 miles. This was not always the case. The copper core and brass side
tank radiator of most older vehicles typically lasts half that long. However,
when you consider that newer vehicles have much more complex engine
compartments with tight access to radiators, at least it is much easier to
replace a radiator on an older vehicle.
Note that the vehicle shown in these photos is an older vehicle without the
usual "nest" of hoses and wires, and without a fan shroud. Newer vehicles will
present a much more complicated job that can take much longer.
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Park your vehicle in a well-lighted area - outside in daylight is best - and
let your engine cool down before performing the next steps.
The first thing you need to do is locate the source of the coolant leak. It
might not be coming from the radiator. The best way to confirm the source of
the leak is to wash the radiator and hoses with water, and then start the
engine and look for new signs of coolant.
If you have determined that the radiator is the culprit, there are a number of
connections to the radiator that you will need to identify - and ensure that
you can access - before attempting to remove the radiator. Check for each of
the following:
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Look to see if the radiator has a shroud (duct work) that directs the flow of
air through the radiator. This shroud will have to be removed in order to get
to the radiator.
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Find the upper and lower radiator hose connections. You will need to remove
these hoses at the point that they attach to the radiator. Can you reach them
and their hose clamps?
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Is the vehicle equipped with electric cooling fans? These fans typically
attach to the radiator frame. They may need to be removed before removing the
radiator.
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Is your vehicle equipped with an automatic transmission? If so, there may be
cooling lines that attach to the radiator side tank.
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How is the radiator attached to the vehicle? There are many different mounting
methods. The most common are bolts through brackets on the radiator. However,
some designs have rubber pads or pins that have separate clamping pieces
bolted to the vehicle.
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