replacing radiator

[akhoundog]

my 95 2.2 wagon is leaking from the lower area of the radiator so i plan on replacing it tomorrow.

anything special i need to know or replace while i'm in there? i plan on doing upper and lower hoses as well as thermostat.

thanks!

[pmesfun]

transmission cooler lines?

[LynchburgCSI]

Transmission cooler lines... yep. If it's an automatic, which being a wagon, I assume it is. It's pretty dang straight forward and it's actually the first repair I did on my old 5s wayyyyy back when I first got it.

Remove the two brackets at the top of the rad, drain the coolant, remove the two large clamps that hold on the coolant hoses, remove those two hoses, remove the clamps holding on the tranny cooler lines, remove those lines, disconnect the fan wires, and pull her straight out. Removing the fans is easy. Putting them back on the new rad can be annoying (3rd pic), but you'll get it. Be sure to bleed the coolant system correctly, and check the tranny fluid level after a bit (you shouldn't lose much, but just to be safe, do so).

[JohnGD]

You can get special 3/8" ATF hoses from your local NAPA (they also sell coolant hoses and fuel hoses, each for a specific purpose). Don't use just any rubber hose because ATF may attack it. You may need to use worm-gear clamps with aftermarket hoses. Or you can get OEM hoses from the dealer.

[LynchburgCSI]

I just reused the OEM hoses and clamps. The cart was fine until it hit a guard rail.

[71Corolla]

Speaking of radiators. I just put one in my '93, don't buy a "performance" brand radiator. Yes that's the brand name. The top left bracket doesn't fit correctly and has to be mounted crooked. The tranny cooler lines are slightly smaller in diameter which means the factor clamps won't hold them on, I had to use the dreaded screw clamps. The bottom right bolt does not line up with the fan shroud. It's also thinner than OEM, although it does have a higher density fin design (it does have the same fluid capacity at least).

I ordered it online, don't do that either. I want to return it but don't want to pay shipping (shipping to me was free). Mine was leaking like most of them do, the O-ring between the plastic cap and the aluminum core failed. Is it possible to buy the O-rings? The factory service manual talks about replacing them.

[akhoundog]

Thanks for the replies

Ill have to hit the parts store for the tranny lines, are these just normal rubber lines that are compatible with ATF? if so what's the internal diameter?

I picked up a murray radiator at schucks for 99 bucks with a "lifetime warranty", not sure if it's great or not.

does anyone know if cars with AC have a different radiator than ones with not? they didnt ask if my car has ac (it does) and now that i think about it it makes me a bit worried.

[akhoundog]

Originally Posted by JohnGD

You can get special 3/8" ATF hoses from your local NAPA (they also sell coolant hoses and fuel hoses, each for a specific purpose). Don't use just any rubber hose because ATF may attack it. You may need to use worm-gear clamps with aftermarket hoses. Or you can get OEM hoses from the dealer.

thanks i totally overlooked your post.

[akhoundog]

I got the new radiator in and everything works without a hitch. i noticed in my overflow reservoir there's a brown/black film on the inside and is smells of carbon?? weird, i know a blown headgasket can make the coolant smell of exhaust and have traces of oil but i have a hard time believing my HG is leaking. i dunno.



what causes the radiator fins to deteriorate like this? corrosion? all the lower bolts broke off from rust while trying to remove them.

[JohnGD]

That looks like external corrosion. My guess is Alaska road salt?

You can check with a radiator shop to check for exhaust gas in the coolant. There is a kit you can buy as well, but a pro shop may be cheaper and faster.

Originally Posted by akhoundog

I got the new radiator in and everything works without a hitch. i noticed in my overflow reservoir there's a brown/black film on the inside and is smells of carbon?? weird, i know a blown headgasket can make the coolant smell of exhaust and have traces of oil but i have a hard time believing my HG is leaking. i dunno.



what causes the radiator fins to deteriorate like this? corrosion? all the lower bolts broke off from rust while trying to remove them.

[akhoundog]

im thinking corrosion too. the car has only been here for about 3 years and was in pennsylvania the rest of it's life.

i got all the air out of the cooling system but do i need to do anything to the tranny fluid besides make sure it's full?

[LynchburgCSI]

IIRC, just check the tranny fluid after driving around, while the engine is on, after you've manually slid the shifter through all the gears, AND the tranny is in neutral. (You may want a friend to step on the brakes for you.)

[JohnGD]

Check the radiator cap carefully. Make sure the vacuum return valve is clean. Better yet replace it.

Drain/refill the transmission fluid, with Mobil-1 or Valvoline MaxLife (both are fully synthetic) for the Alaskan winter. 3 drains/refills with short drives in between should do, if you don't do the cooler line flush. Don't forget the differential too.

Originally Posted by akhoundog

i got all the air out of the cooling system but do i need to do anything to the tranny fluid besides make sure it's full?

[LynchburgCSI]

Rad cap... OEM ONLY PLEASE.