Radiator replaced, need advice on lines and fluids

[Lv1G6He3V2]

In prep. for upgrading to e-fans, a friend and I also upgraded my radiator to a 34" from the old 28". The lines went on with a little elbow grease. I think the rubber (or PVC?) hoses will be fine, but we will have to test for leaks. That's pretty straightforward: if old clamps leak, cut hose back an inch and put new clamps on.

 

 

1. What worries me is the transmission lines feel loose (inside the nut) even with the nuts tight. Is this normal?

 

We kept the old nuts on the lines since we weren't familiar with the snap rings on the new nuts that came with the radiator. Advice? Eyeballing it the nuts appear to have the same dimensions. We were careful not to cross-thread. If we need to change the nuts, are the snap rings much trouble?

 

 

2. Also not sure which types of fluids to buy. I just want to top them off with the same stuff.

• The engine coolant is red.
  
• The transmission fluid is red.
  
• Not sure about the third pair of lines but I think they just route engine coolant through the throttle body (for cold climates).
  

 

'99 Sierra 1500 5.3L V8 4l60E RWD

 

 

3. Are there any additional steps we should take to avoid damaging the engine/transmission on first start? Most of the coolant drained out of the lower hose, so I assume the engine has lost most of it, but adding coolant to the tank should settle down into the engine by itself. I'm not sure how to add transmission fluid; I guess there's a cap and dipstick somewhere in the engine compartment.

[bossier62guy]

Dexcool is actually orange....if it's red maybe someone mixed some other color with it at one time or another. Just pour it in the reservoir until it's at the correct level. You may have to add more after you get the air out of the system. Dex VI transfluid is what GM recommends now....it's expensive and you add it thru a tube on the left side of the engine near the firewall (looking into the engine compartment). Be careful how much you add since it's supposed to be checked warm. Read your owners manual, it will tell you exactly how to ensure it's topped off correctly. Can't help you with the other questions but hopefully someone else will chime in.