Tips/Advice When Installing Radiator in a C5
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 300
Likes: 34
From: Bella Vista, AR
Tips/Advice When Installing Radiator in a C5
I purchased an new ACDelco OEM radiator to replace the OEM radiator in my 99' C5. I'd like to install it myself. It looks straight forward enough that I think I can do it. Separating the radiator from the condenser and fan assembly looks a bit cumbersome. Any thoughts or tips on that part of it? Do I need a small pry bar to release the radiator in it's tabs from the condenser and fans? Does the front plastic shroud enclosing the condenser also need to be removed, otherwise cleaning the condenser would be more difficult, less space. Any thoughts or tips would be appreciated. Thanks
Last edited by Ceedub53; May 7, 2018 at 10:56 PM.
1/4 mile/AutoX
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 11,441
Likes: 2,186
From: Buffalo Texas
if you want easy, take off the sway bar all the way off or enough to drop the fan assembly out the bottom, makes it much easier. take off the front shroud also !!! shoot some water thought the condenser while you can get at it so easy with the rad. out !!!!!
Last edited by Pounder; May 7, 2018 at 11:06 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 107
Likes: 4
From: Hartsville pa
I purchased an new ACDelco OEM radiator to replace the OEM radiator in my 99' C5. I'd like to install it myself. It looks straight forward enough that I think I can do it. Separating the radiator from the condenser and fan assembly looks a bit cumbersome. Any thoughts or tips on that part of it? Do I need a small pry bar to release the radiator in it's tabs from the condenser and fans? Does the front plastic shroud enclosing the condenser also need to be removed, otherwise cleaning the condenser would be more difficult, less space. Any thoughts or tips would be appreciated. Thanks
Personally, if you remove the hood, the job goes from a 7 to a 2 on the PITA scale.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 353
From: Little Rock Arkansas
The first time I removed my radiator (to flush & clean it) I removed it through the top with the hood on. It's a pretty straight forward job but it does help if you have the front end lifted. Here's what I did;
1) Raise the car. I put all four corners on stands.
2) Drain Dex-Cool.
3) Remove air bridge and radiator shroud (make sure the rubber bushings stay put on the underside of the shroud).
4) Unbolt/remove the upper & lower radiator hoses (I replaced mine and I would recommend you do this) and the overfill hose.
4B) If you have an automatic you will also have to disconnect the hard line cooler hoses. Ensure you have a wrench that won't strip the ends of the lines
5) Disconnect the harnesses for the fans.
6) Pull the fan assembly out of the car.
7) Shimmy the radiator away from the condenser and remove from the car.
Installation is reverse. The system should then be filled with Dex-Cool and properly burped. Make sure the lower radiator bushings are still in good shape and do not pop out. If they're questionable replace them.
It took me a full afternoon to do this but now that I have experience I'd say it could be a 2 to 3 hour job at most.
1) Raise the car. I put all four corners on stands.
2) Drain Dex-Cool.
3) Remove air bridge and radiator shroud (make sure the rubber bushings stay put on the underside of the shroud).
4) Unbolt/remove the upper & lower radiator hoses (I replaced mine and I would recommend you do this) and the overfill hose.
4B) If you have an automatic you will also have to disconnect the hard line cooler hoses. Ensure you have a wrench that won't strip the ends of the lines
5) Disconnect the harnesses for the fans.
6) Pull the fan assembly out of the car.
7) Shimmy the radiator away from the condenser and remove from the car.
Installation is reverse. The system should then be filled with Dex-Cool and properly burped. Make sure the lower radiator bushings are still in good shape and do not pop out. If they're questionable replace them.
It took me a full afternoon to do this but now that I have experience I'd say it could be a 2 to 3 hour job at most.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,721
Likes: 104
From: Florida
Wow compared to everyone else in this thread I consider myself to be super lucky. Mine just popped out and in easy pezzy. Didn't have to remove anything other than the rad itself, no special tools.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 31,976
Likes: 487
From: Guinness Its whats for B'fast JAWGA
CI 3-4-5-9 Veteran
The first time I removed my radiator (to flush & clean it) I removed it through the top with the hood on. It's a pretty straight forward job but it does help if you have the front end lifted. Here's what I did;
1) Raise the car. I put all four corners on stands.
2) Drain Dex-Cool.
3) Remove air bridge and radiator shroud (make sure the rubber bushings stay put on the underside of the shroud).
4) Unbolt/remove the upper & lower radiator hoses (I replaced mine and I would recommend you do this) and the overfill hose.
4B) If you have an automatic you will also have to disconnect the hard line cooler hoses. Ensure you have a wrench that won't strip the ends of the lines
5) Disconnect the harnesses for the fans.
6) Pull the fan assembly out of the car.
7) Shimmy the radiator away from the condenser and remove from the car.
Installation is reverse. The system should then be filled with Dex-Cool and properly burped. Make sure the lower radiator bushings are still in good shape and do not pop out. If they're questionable replace them.
It took me a full afternoon to do this but now that I have experience I'd say it could be a 2 to 3 hour job at most.
1) Raise the car. I put all four corners on stands.
2) Drain Dex-Cool.
3) Remove air bridge and radiator shroud (make sure the rubber bushings stay put on the underside of the shroud).
4) Unbolt/remove the upper & lower radiator hoses (I replaced mine and I would recommend you do this) and the overfill hose.
4B) If you have an automatic you will also have to disconnect the hard line cooler hoses. Ensure you have a wrench that won't strip the ends of the lines
5) Disconnect the harnesses for the fans.
6) Pull the fan assembly out of the car.
7) Shimmy the radiator away from the condenser and remove from the car.
Installation is reverse. The system should then be filled with Dex-Cool and properly burped. Make sure the lower radiator bushings are still in good shape and do not pop out. If they're questionable replace them.
It took me a full afternoon to do this but now that I have experience I'd say it could be a 2 to 3 hour job at most.
Use some mechanics gloves around the power steering cooler, it will slice you.
You could pull the hood but don't have to. If you do have a friend with you, a second set of hands is really needed. I unbolt the entire bracket form the frame.
It is an ideal time to do the harmonic balancer if you have not replaced it yet.
Last edited by 93Polo; May 8, 2018 at 11:57 AM.
