Replacing Your Car Radiator – A Step By Step Guide

A car radiator is a vital component of the vehicle that removes the heat from the engine, thereby keeping it cool. The heat from the engine is removed via thermal heat exchange and then transferred to the coolant where it gets circulated through a thermostat and the radiator.

Over time, your car may start showing some signs and symptoms of a damaged radiator. While you can get the radiator repaired in some instances, others may call for the car radiator replacement. Here are the warning signs that suggest that your car radiator needs to be replaced at the earliest:

If you notice the steam billowing from under the hood when it is in motion, it means that the engine of your car is heating and the radiator is not working well to suppress it. This situation calls for replacement.
You need to replace the car radiator when the temperature gauge constantly indicates the high temperature of the engine.
The accumulation of rust is another warning sign of a damaged car radiator that needs a quick replacement.
The formation of brown debris within the radiator also suggests that the car radiator needs a replacement.

Do not worry if you are unable to locate your nearby mechanic to replace the radiator. The following step-by-step guide will help you in changing the radiator:

Step 1:

Locate the drain plug of the radiator. It is situated near the lowest point of this machine. Open it and drain the coolant present inside it.

Step 2:

Remove the hoses attached to the radiator by loosening the clamps from the attachment area. We also recommend you pull out the auxiliary belts from the pulleys of the radiator. Now, remove the cooling fan and radiator shroud from the radiator. Remove the remaining bolts, clips, mounting screws, and other things. Do not misplace them and keep them in one location so that it becomes easier for you to later attach them in the right order.

Step 3:

Lift the radiator from the engine. There may be some remaining coolant inside the radiator. Ensure to use a catch basin while removing the radiator from the engine.

Step 4:

Keep your new car radiator ready, and make sure to place it in the right position, exactly where the previous radiator was placed. In the meantime, you can clean the area where the new radiator has to be installed. Do not disturb the remaining machinery while performing the cleaning process.

Step 5:

Replace all the other accessories with the new one – bolts, screws, clips, and others. If the previous accessories are in a good condition, you can use them to fix the car radiator in place.

Step 6:

Reinstall the cooling fan and shroud, and reattach all the cooling hoses. While performing this step, ensure that the accessories are attached properly, but avoid tightening them too much. It is because cooling hoses are prone to becoming brittle with age. If the existing cooling hoses are showing any sign of aging, replace them with new ones.

Step 7:

Reinstall the auxiliary belts in order by sliding them back over the pulleys and then adjusting them accordingly using nuts and bolts.

Step 8:

Mix the coolant with distilled water. Make sure the proportion of water with coolant is right. Pour it properly without spilling. Start the vehicle and let it run to check the circulation of the coolant. Add some more, if needful.

Step 9:

Locate a bleed valve and open it with a wrench to bleed the air into the radiator and check it for bubbles. When the bubbles stop forming, know that your coolant is at the proper temperature.

Takeaway:

Car radiator replacement should be taken seriously to avoid any further damage to the engine of your vehicle. The above-listed instructions will help you perform the procedure aptly.