How to replace the radiator in a 1997 Corolla (with photos)
This is a very simple job that requires a minimum set of tools, you just need to have some free time and patience. Basically it involves draining the coolant, removing the radiator (a couple of screws), installing the new one, and refilling the system.
The dealer told me that they charge between $500 and $600 plus taxes to replace a radiator (parts and labour). I decided to do it myself when I found out that an aftermarket radiator is only $115 plus taxes. When I added the coolant cost, the total was below $150, so it’s fair to say that I saved around $400 dollars or so.
Before you start, you need the following (as seen below):
You need a minimum set of tools (at least one 10mm wrench, one 12mm wrench, a flat screwdriver, and pliers. Other tools may be needed, but technically that's all what you need)
Obviously, a new radiator and fresh coolant are required, destilled water, as well as a bucket, some rags, the repair manual if you can get one, etc. Just the usual, nothing out of the ordinary.
Safety first! The engine must be completely cool. Disconnect cable from negative terminal of battery. Wait at least 90 seconds before proceeding with work.
Remove the plastic splash guard under the front of the car (you need to remove the guard on both the driver and passenger side, it is easier to drain and to connect and disconned hoses). It is held up with about 8 bolts (10mm). This allows you to get to the drain spout and the bottom hose.
Put a bucket under the car and drain the fluid out of the radiator. You just unscrew the spout found on the bottom of the radiator on the passenger side of the car. You can open the radiator cap to equalize the pressure to make it flow better.
Now that the radiator is empty it's time to start disconnecting all the parts.
Disconnect the electric cooling fan connectors
Disconnect radiator hoses - There are two large coolant hoses, the upper hose and the lower hose. Loosen the clamps and slide the hoses off. Move the bucket under the bottom hose to catch any other fluid.
Disconnect the coolant reservoir hose
Oil cooler hoses under the car (transmission fluid lines in cars with automatic transmission) - There are two lines that run from the radiator to the transmission. Loosen and remove these, catching any fluid that drains out. These lines do not exist on a manual transmission Corolla.
Radiator brackets at the top - Unbolt these two brackets from the top (12mm). Be careful not to snap the bolts, I did killed the two bolts in my car because of the extreme rust, even when I applied WD40 lubricant and did it carefully.
Lift out the radiator, and remove the two lower radiator supports (made of rubber, you can pry them off with a flathead screwdriver.
Remove electric cooling fans - Unbolt the four bolts that hold the fan to the radiator (10mm).
Installation:
Basically, reverse the instructions above to install the new radiator.
Install electric cooling fans to the new radiator (four screws 10mm)
Place the two lower radiator supports (made of rubber) in position in the new radiator
Place the radiator in position, and install the two brackets at the top (12mm). After installation, check that the rubber cushion (in the top brackets) is not depressed. Torque to be applied to the 12mm bolts is 13 N-m (130 kgf-cm, 9 ft-lbs)
If your Corolla has an automatic transmission, reconnect the oil cooler hoses under the car.
Reconnect the coolant reservoir hose
Reconnect the radiator hoses (upper and lower)
Reconnect the cooling fan connector
Fill with engine coolant
Connect cable to negative terminal of the battery
Start the engine to make sure it doesn't leak. You’re done, but keep an eye on the coolant level for a few days to make sure it doesn’t have any leaks in it.
If you need a new radiator, hopefully this post will help you.
Perhaps you cam save a few hundreds dollars too!
Last edited by Marcos Santiago; 05-26-2007 at 09:10 PM.
This is what the original radiator looks like – rusted, corroded, falling apart, full of sulfites, etc. I guess it’s not that bad, the after 10 years of service in the Canadian weather (winters), and after 250,000 kms.
This is what the new radiator looks like, after installing the electric cooling fan (I understand that some cars have two fans). At the bottom, you can see the two pipes for the oil cooler hoses (for auto transmission). The original radiator didn’t have those (my car is a manual transmission).
The new radiator is thicker, and longer, than the OEM. It will provide increased cooling performance. Now I feel like street racing...
its thicker because its made to be able to also handle the cooling load of an automatic transmission as well as the engine. the 7th gens with AC have 2 fans. one is where yours is and the other is a slim fan infront of the AC condensor which blows through both the AC and the Radiator.
the ae92 with ac has 2 fans as well, Usually with something like a rad you get what you pay for in how long it will last. The materials they are made out of and coated with usually go with the price, some rads will only last 3 - 5 years before they rot out.
ya, i dont get how his 10 yr old radiator is that bad off and mine which is 14 yrs old seems just fine. i make sure tho, when i wash the engine once a year than i also wash out the radiator well so that gunk doesnt build up.
oh ya, why did you you bottled water and not distilled water? you dont want calcium in there!
ya, i dont get how his 10 yr old radiator is that bad off and mine which is 14 yrs old seems just fine. i make sure tho, when i wash the engine once a year than i also wash out the radiator well so that gunk doesnt build up.
oh ya, why did you you bottled water and not distilled water? you dont want calcium in there!
I did use distilled water, that's what it is in the plastic bottle in the photo... it says right there on the label (it's French) .
This radiator was literally falling apart, especially at the top right corner (on the photo), but it didn't leak yet. And I too washed the engine once a year since I got the car (I'm the second owner).
This kind of rotting is more or less "normal" given the Canadian winters and the amount of salt that we use on the roads.
About how long the new aftermarket radiator will last... well, I'll be really happy if it lasts 5 years... that would be fair given the price I paid for it...
Last edited by Marcos Santiago; 05-27-2007 at 07:41 AM.
I hope thats not distilled water for drinking. Because those have minerals in them, and those minerals cause calcium forming and that clogs your coolant channels and decreases cooling (coats the insides of the cooling system).
Tap water is just fine. I use tap water on all the cars I've worked and theres been zero problems ever.
err.r.....distilled water is distilled water---has nothing but H20 and nothing else, that's why they label distiilled don't you think?
In places where you don't have hard water, you can get away with just using the tap. But many places do have hardwater so what's a couple of bucks to buy 2 jugs of distilled water?
if you tast distilled, tastes old and kinda funky. if it's a little sweet, you have regular drinking water--- the one with all the minerals in it which is good for ya.
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Last edited by RningOnFumes; 05-27-2007 at 11:18 AM.
err.r.....distilled water is distilled water---has nothing but H20 and nothing else, that's why they label distiilled don't you think?
Yes, but sometimes they add minerals to distilled water thats for drinking. Looks like the canister he has, even though its marked distilled, so better check the label for details.
You can get distilled water from gasstations (those certainly dont have anything extra).
Yes, but sometimes they add minerals to distilled water thats for drinking. Looks like the canister he has, even though its marked distilled, so better check the label for details.
You can get distilled water from gasstations (those certainly dont have anything extra).
And drinking distilled water isnt good for you.
Really? Sometimes they ADD minerals to distilled water?
Why would they do that?
The very purpose of "distillation" is to remove all minerals and salts from the water, so it doesn't make sense to put them back in there. Distilled water is distilled water, at least in Canada I guess YMMV depending on your country.
Anyway, here's the overview of the process... I hope it helps someone somewhere...
Really? Sometimes they ADD minerals to distilled water?
Why would they do that?
The very purpose of "distillation" is to remove all minerals and salts from the water, so it doesn't make sense to put them back in there. Distilled water is distilled water, at least in Canada I guess YMMV depending on your country.
Anyway, here's the overview of the process... I hope it helps someone somewhere...
they often add a little calcium carbonate to water intended for drinking to give it a natural water taste.
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