How to Change a Dex-Cool Radiator
- 1). Unplug the cooling fan, if your vehicle has an electric fan. Remove the cooling fan assembly from the front of the radiator, using the sockets. Slide the drain pan under the radiator petcock. Open the petcock and allow the coolant to drain. Discard the coolant in an appropriate manner.
- 2). Loosen the hose clamps on the upper, lower and recovery tank hoses, using the screwdriver. Pull the hoses off the radiator. Unbolt the radiator from the vehicle. In some vehicles, you may have to remove the upper support, which is done using the appropriate socket.
- 3). Slide a clean drain pan under the cooler lines, if your vehicle has separate transmission and/or oil coolers. Remove the lines with the appropriate line wrench, then unbolt and remove the coolers. Unbolt the air conditioning condenser, but do not remove the lines. Move the condenser out of the way.
- 4). Lift the radiator out of the vehicle. Watch for attached rubber insulators or other "bumpers" that keep the radiator from rubbing on the frame of the vehicle. If they stick to the old radiator, remove them -- you will need them for the new radiator.
- 5). Attach the insulators to the new radiator, if needed. Fit the new radiator into the engine compartment. Tighten the radiator-retaining bolts firmly. Reattach any oil coolers and the condenser to the radiator. Reinstall the fan and plug it in.
- 6). Close the radiator petcock. Reattach the upper, lower and recovery tank hoses and tighten the clamps. Fill the radiator. Bleed the coolant system pursuant to your vehicle's specifications. You can find instructions for bleeding the system in the owner's manual or an aftermarket repair manual for your specific vehicle.
