Radiator Replacement - '98 Silverado

[chriscreags]

Hi all,

I purchased a '98 C1500 last month and I am about to possibly take on my second major project on it. I have a radiator that is leaking on the seam where the plastic meets the aluminum. To save money, I would like to attempt to replace it myself. I was wondering if anybody can shed some light on what the procedure is. I'm thinking about also replacing the thermostat and hoses while I'm at it.

If anyone can give me a step by step or a summary of how to take this on I would greatly appreciate it. I'm an at home mechanic in the making, so any help would be great.

Thanks!

 

[mechanicx]

Autozone has a free online repair manual. It's not the best but about like a Chilton or Haynes and will get you by with general stuff.

repair info

 

[Chris142]

The radiator is simple. Remove the fan shroud. Remove the radiator upper mounts. Remove the trans cooler lines and Engine oil cooler lines if it has them. Remove both coolant hoses and there may be a heater hose on the passenger side, remove the hose that goes to the coolant overflow bottle.

You do not have to remove the fan or lower shroud.

Lift radiator out. Replace the lower hose while the radiator is out.

Put new seals on the engine oil cooler lines before you put those back on and check the big nuts that hold the coolers into the new radiator to make sure they are tight.

If I'm really hurrying I can have one out and back in in 20 minutes.

The stat is on top. 2 bolts and it's out.

When you refill it with coolant fill it up. Start it, fill it more if it will take any more, put your NEW radiator cap on and let it run untill the stat opens. Turn the engine off. Walk away, have lunch or whatever. Recheck the level in the radiator and bottle. Fill as needed.

Fan shroud bolts should take a 10mm socket and extension, Upper mounts are also 10mm.

Trans cooler lines are either 1/2 or 5/8.......1/2 most common.

Oil cooller lines 20mm or 19mm. 20mm more common.

Stat bolts are either 13mm or 9/16 or a mix of both.

 

[cchase]

Chris142 did a great write-up. Not sure if he missed anything. Just remove the fan shroud, remove all the lines connecting the radiator, pull it out, slide new one in, reconnect all lines.

 

[GMBoy]

Official GM version (but just like Chris142):



Service Information

1998 Chevrolet Chevy C Pickup - 2WD | Chevy Pickup, GMC Pickup, Suburban, Tahoe, Yukon (VIN C/K) Service Manual | Document ID: 190699
Radiator Replacement
Removal Procedure

Drain the coolant from the cooling system. Refer to Cooling System Draining and Filling .
Remove the upper fan shroud. Refer to Fan Shroud Replacement .



For the 4.3L, 5.0L, and the 5.7L engines, remove the upper insulators and brackets.



For the 6.5L and the 7.4L engines, remove the upper insulators and brackets.
Disconnect the upper and lower radiator hoses. Refer to Radiator Hose Replacement .
Remove the transmission fluid cooler pipes.
Remove the engine oil cooler pipes. Refer to Engine Oil Cooler Hose/Pipe Replacement .
Remove the lower fan shroud bolts and the lower fan shroud. Refer to Fan Shroud Replacement .
Disconnect the coolant recovery reservoir/surge tank hose.
• Refer to Coolant Recovery Reservoir Replacement .
• For diesel engines, refer to Surge Tank (Diesel) Replacement .



For the 4.3L, 5.0L, and the 5.7L, remove the radiator from the lower insulators and brackets.



For the 6.5L and the 7.4L, remove the radiator from the lower insulators and brackets.
Inspect all of the parts and connections for leaks and wear.
Replace the parts and/or connections, as necessary.
Installation Procedure




For the 4.3L, 5.0L, and the 5.7L engines, install the radiator on the lower insulators.



For the 6.5L and the 7.4L engines, install the radiator on the lower insulators.
Install the coolant recovery reservoir/surge tank hose.
• Refer to Coolant Recovery Reservoir Replacement .
• For diesel engines, refer to Surge Tank (Diesel) Replacement .
Install the lower fan shroud bolts and the lower fan shroud. Refer to Fan Shroud Replacement .
Tighten
Tighten the bolts to 9 N·m (71 lb in).

Notice: Use the correct fastener in the correct location. Replacement fasteners must be the correct part number for that application. Fasteners requiring replacement or fasteners requiring the use of thread locking compound or sealant are identified in the service procedure. Do not use paints, lubricants, or corrosion inhibitors on fasteners or fastener joint surfaces unless specified. These coatings affect fastener torque and joint clamping force and may damage the fastener. Use the correct tightening sequence and specifications when installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.

Install the engine oil cooler pipes. Refer to Engine Oil Cooler Hose/Pipe Replacement .
Tighten
Tighten the fittings to 24 N·m (18 lb ft).

Install the transmission fluid cooler pipes.
Tighten
Tighten the fittings to 26 N·m (19 lb ft).

Install the upper and lower radiator hoses. Refer to Radiator Hose Replacement .



For the 4.3L, 5.0L, and the 5.7L engines, install the upper insulators.



For the 6.5L and the 7.4L engines, install the upper insulators.
Install the upper fan shroud and the upper fan shroud bolts. Refer to Fan Shroud Replacement .
Tighten
Tighten the bolts to 9 N·m (71 lb in).

Refill the coolant in the cooling system. Refer to Cooling System Draining and Filling .
Leak test on the cooling system. Refer to Cooling System Leak Testing .
© 2010 General Motors. All rights reserved.

 

[chriscreags]

Awesome, thanks so much for the instructions guys. I'm going to stop by a local independent parts store that was recommended to me tomorrow and get a price on a replacement.

One other question: Just by looking at the radiator assembly, how could I tell if I have a transmission fluid cooler/engine oil cooler? My truck has the 5.0 liter engine (don't know if that helps)...Reading back on GMBoy's post, it sounds like my truck doesn't have any of that stuff.

 

[Chris142]

Originally Posted By: chriscreags


One other question: Just by looking at the radiator assembly, how could I tell if I have a transmission fluid cooler/engine oil cooler?


If it's an automatic trans it will have 2 smaller lines on the passengers side of the radiator that go into the plastic tanks.

The oil cooler lines are on the drivers side. If it has those.

 

[bigmike]

If you have them and you're going to disconnect the trans cooler lines to do the radiator anyway, it would be a good time to flush the transmission too. The lower hose is the return, IIRC. Located on passenger side and mine are metal. Fairly small (5/8").

 

[mrsilv04]

Watch to be sure that you get a radiator for *your* application, and not a radiator that "sorta fits" multiple applications.

I ran into this when replacing a radiator in my old Monte Carlo. I went to AutoZone and the radiator that they said would "fit" my Monte had little resemblance to the OE one.

I finally found a store that had a Modine brand radiator in stock, and it looked and fit just like the OE one. It was only a few dollars more than the "sorta fits" one, and came with a lifetime warranty.

 

[GMBoy]

Originally Posted By: Chris142
Originally Posted By: chriscreags


One other question: Just by looking at the radiator assembly, how could I tell if I have a transmission fluid cooler/engine oil cooler?


If it's an automatic trans it will have 2 smaller lines on the passengers side of the radiator that go into the plastic tanks.

The oil cooler lines are on the drivers side. If it has those.



Exactly correct.

 

[artificialist]

Many times an auto parts store will stock a radiator with an automatic transmission cooler only, then tell you to just cover up the fittings if you install on a manual transmission vehicle.

 

[Chris142]

Originally Posted By: artificialist
Many times an auto parts store will stock a radiator with an automatic transmission cooler only, then tell you to just cover up the fittings if you install on a manual transmission vehicle.
no need to cover the unused cooler holes. Theres nothing going to leak out of them if they are just left open.

 

[chriscreags]

Update: Radiator has been replaced with a new one, and fresh coolant (not Dex-cool).

Next project are new tires, then new intake manifold gasket.