Removing Radiator ?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,369
Likes: 79
From: West Coast
Removing Radiator ?
So unfortunately the stock radiator on my 2001 finally cracked at the water neck, evidentially plastic is not the most durable of products 
Good news is I have a nice Aluminum Hvy Duty replacement on the way
So it looks fairly simple process to remove/replace: Drain, remove Shroud, replace with new Hoses, Refill, Burp and Drive.
Any Tips or hidden bolts/clamps that will stop me in my tracks at the worst time?
Any thing I should look out for, or advice on proper steps to take ?
Any help in advance is greatly appreciated as this is my next weekend project!
Thanks and
Good news is I have a nice Aluminum Hvy Duty replacement on the way
So it looks fairly simple process to remove/replace: Drain, remove Shroud, replace with new Hoses, Refill, Burp and Drive.
Any Tips or hidden bolts/clamps that will stop me in my tracks at the worst time?
Any thing I should look out for, or advice on proper steps to take ?
Any help in advance is greatly appreciated as this is my next weekend project!
Thanks and
Drifting
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,482
Likes: 2
From: Pearland, TX
I've done it a few times. If your new radiator is thicker than the OEM thn getting the fans in may take some finagling. Othat than that, it's pretty simple.
Are you leaving the condenser in place? Every time I've removed the radiator, I also took out the condenser. I'm not sure it's doable with teh condenser in.
Are you leaving the condenser in place? Every time I've removed the radiator, I also took out the condenser. I'm not sure it's doable with teh condenser in.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
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From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Pretty straightforward really. Depending on which brand of rad you chose, some very minor trimming of the radiator support shroud may be required. Be sure the round rubber grommet on the bottom (pass. side) is in place when stabbing in the new unit. It sometimes may get pulled out with the old radiator and get overlooked.
Btw, the AC condenser can stay in place, just use caution not to damage the fins, etc.
HTH
Btw, the AC condenser can stay in place, just use caution not to damage the fins, etc.
HTH
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,369
Likes: 79
From: West Coast
Got a new DeWitts on the way, so hopefully plug n play no trimming, although the unit is twice the size, so Dremel on the stand by if needed!
Besides the 4-bolts holding the shroud radiator support in place are there others that need removal or any other hidden clips?
What holds the fans in place, and are bolts easily accessible?
Thanks!
Besides the 4-bolts holding the shroud radiator support in place are there others that need removal or any other hidden clips?
What holds the fans in place, and are bolts easily accessible?
Thanks!
Last edited by BACNBLK; Apr 1, 2012 at 10:43 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,836
Likes: 244
From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Have a pair of tin snips or sharp side-cutters (wire cutters) or a Dremel with a cut-off wheel attachment on hand. Unless DeWitts has changed their design, there will be a couple small cutouts/notches that need to be made in the plastic radiator shroud. No biggie really.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 855
Likes: 71
From: Byrnes Mill MO
Just took mine out this morning. Did not remove the condensor. Hardest part was opening all of the wire harness clips that were attached to the fan assembly and getting to the clamp on the lower radiator hose.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,066
Likes: 9,833
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
On both my 97 and 03 the big problem was getting the fan shroud out and back in. The wiring harness on the front passenger side on both cars kept acted like a hook holding the lower tab on the shroud preventing me from pulling it out of the car. It took quite a while to get the harness moved enough so the shroud could be pulled up.
Bill
Bill
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,369
Likes: 79
From: West Coast
Good to know, thanks for the tip!
Amazing how some little tab or clip can stop progress in short order!
Also did you all replace T-Stat at same time, seems like that might be cheap insurance as well?
Amazing how some little tab or clip can stop progress in short order!
Also did you all replace T-Stat at same time, seems like that might be cheap insurance as well?
Safety Car
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 4,812
Likes: 46
From: Taylorsville North Carolina
Might be a good time to go ahead and change those hoses if you haven't lately. Also, use an air compressor and clean out the a/c condensor as best as possible while you can get at the back of it. Good luck. I have the DeWitts and track the crap out of my car with temps never getting above 202*. Why people spend more for the Ron Davis I will never know.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,369
Likes: 79
From: West Coast
Might be a good time to go ahead and change those hoses if you haven't lately. Also, use an air compressor and clean out the a/c condensor as best as possible while you can get at the back of it. Good luck. I have the DeWitts and track the crap out of my car with temps never getting above 202*. Why people spend more for the Ron Davis I will never know.
Looking forward to that, mine always ran a bit warm in Sacramento summer heat, all New Hoses and New T-Stat, fresh coolant, should be good for a few years!
Last edited by BACNBLK; Apr 2, 2012 at 09:33 PM.
Team Owner
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From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
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From: Norman Oklahoma - The Only State in the Union with no Blue Counties!
Team Owner
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From: Overwhelmed as one would be, placed in my position.... DFW, TX
St. Jude Donor '05
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2000
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From: Shenandoah Valley Virginia
One additional thing to look at while you have everything apart - the serpentine belts. You will never have an easier time to change them out especially the AC compressor belt. Check carefully for cracks or wear on the ribs. At 38K miles mine mime didn't need replacement, but since the car sees a lot of high RPM's on the track, I did them when the DeWitts radiator went in. I figured it was cheap insurance.
Former Vendor
Joined: Jan 2000
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From: Brighton
Might be a good time to go ahead and change those hoses if you haven't lately. Also, use an air compressor and clean out the a/c condensor as best as possible while you can get at the back of it. Good luck. I have the DeWitts and track the crap out of my car with temps never getting above 202*. Why people spend more for the Ron Davis I will never know.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,369
Likes: 79
From: West Coast
