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Radiator Replacement

cao88c

By cao88c
in Ask A GM Technician

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cao88c Enthusiast

cao88c

Posted
Posted

Hey folks,

 

I'm new to this site, and I'm glad I stumbled across it. Been reading lots of good stuff.

 

I have a 1999 Suburban C1500 with a 5.7 (350) engine. Well, the radiator has developed a leak so I went ahead and ordered a new one today hopefully it will be here by Friday so that I can have something to do this weekend! Anyways, I was looking at the old radiator (still in vehicle) and I'm noticing that I have 4 metal hoses (2 on each side of the tanks). I did some research online and found that the two on the driver's side are oil cooler lines, and the two on the passenger side are tranny cooler lines.

 

The questions that I have are:

 

When I disconnect these lines, is oil going to spew out of them? If so, what can I use to stop it?

 

Also, does anyone have some sort of a writeup on changing a radiator on a suburban? Or any tips/ tricks?

 

I do a lot of work on Jeeps, (mainly axles) so I do have a lot of tools and mechanical know how, but being that this is the wife's vehicle, I want to make sure that everything is right. And I really don't work with auto trannys therefore I don't like messing around with anything that has to do with transmission.

 

Any and all help is appreciated,

 

THanks

hubbycap Senior Enthusiast

hubbycap

Posted
Posted

Probably some small amount of oil and tranny fluid will leak out, but of course it won't be under pressure. Nothing a couple of shop rags can't handle.

 

I haven't removed a radiator from a suburban, but other than opening the drain cock and emptying the coolant from the radiator, I can't think of anything that you wouldn't notice in disconnecting the shroud, fittings and hoses that would not be obvious.

 

When you get your new radiator, check the type and position of fluid connections before you start the exchange. It's the best time to discover a problem there. :rolleyes:

gmtech4 Senior Enthusiast

gmtech4

Posted
Posted

nothing crazy about changing a rad Chris,roll the the retaining clips off the fitting as not to disfigure them and roll them back on before putting the lines back in,that is the only thing I've seen some people do incorrectly,lines and coolers dribble abit but blast off the rad mount with either shampoo or what ever,no probs,funny my wife never drove our ol' 'burb,lord rest her soul,see I tore her heart out to put in other lady ,god help me,lol,new girl runs good though,her memory lives on ,sniffle ,I'll stop now,I'm here all week,try the veal!

cao88c Enthusiast

cao88c

Posted
  • Author
Posted

THanks guys, gmtech4, what retaining clips and fitting are you talking about? Also, I havent had time to look at it (when I get home, it dark out). How does the bottom of the radiator mount? Does it bolt on, or does it sit in a cradle?

 

Thanks again

gmtech4 Senior Enthusiast

gmtech4

Posted
Posted

the cooler lines should be clipped in the fittings,take the plastic cover off then you can see the clips I was talking about,rad sits in rubber mounts

gmtech4 Senior Enthusiast

gmtech4

Posted
Posted

if you can remove the plastic cap,look for the clip in a groove ,the fitting screws into the cooler yes,do not take them out ,look close with a light .

cao88c Enthusiast

cao88c

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Ok, once again, got home late and it was dark out. I have to pry out the plastic where the oil cooler and tranny cooler lines go connected into the radiator?

 

I received the new radiator today, and it comes with 4 brass fittings and o-rings similar to the fittings used on the oil and tranny cooler lines. I thought that those would just un-screw.

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