RADIATOR, Engine Cooling
DESCRIPTION
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A heavy duty cross-flow aluminum/plastic radiator is used. The radiator consists of an aluminum core and plastic end tanks, which are fastened to the core with clinch tabs and sealed with a high temperature rubber gasket.
Vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions use a combination A/C condenser/transmission oil cooler located on the front of the radiator.
If the plastic tank has been damaged, individual parts are not available, and the radiator must be replaced.
OPERATION
As air passes through the radiator core, the heat within the coolant is dissipated into the ambient air.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - RADIATOR COOLANT FLOW
The following procedure will determine if coolant is flowing through the cooling system.
If engine is cold, idle engine until normal operating temperature is reached. Then feel the upper radiator hose. If hose is hot, the thermostat is open and water is circulating through cooling system.
REMOVAL
When removing the radiator or
A/C condenser for any reason, note the location of all radiator-to-body
and radiator-to-A/C condenser rubber air seals. These are used at
the top, bottom and sides of the radiator and A/C condenser. To prevent
overheating, these seals must be installed to their original positions.
CAUTION:
- Disconnect the negative battery cable.
- Raise and support the vehicle (Refer to 04 - Vehicle Quick Reference/Hoisting/Standard Procedure) .
- Remove the lower engine shield.
- Drain the cooling system (Refer to 07 - Cooling - Standard Procedure) drain coolant into a clean container for reuse.
- Lower the vehicle.
- Remove the air cleaner body (Refer to 09 - Engine/Air Intake System/BODY, Air Cleaner/Removal) .
- Evacuate the A/C system (Refer to 24 - Heating and Air Conditioning/Plumbing - Standard Procedure) .
- Remove the coolant recover bottle hose from fan shroud.
-
Remove the upper radiator
hose.

-
Remove nuts (3, 5)
the A/C lines (2, 4) from the condenser.

- Remove the radiator upper seal (2).
- Remove the upper bolts for the electric cooling fan shroud.
- Disconnect the cooling fan wire harness connector (3).
- Position the upper section of the cooling fan away from the upper support and carefully lift the cooling fan from the lower radiator tabs (4).
-
Remove the lower radiator
hose.

- Remove the front grill (Refer to 23 - Body/Exterior/GRILLE - Removal) .
- Remove the bolt (1) that secures the transmission cooler lines (3) to the transmission cooler (4).
-
Remove the radiator
mounting bolts.
NOTE: The lower part of radiator is equipped with two alignment dowel pins. They are located on the bottom of radiator tank and fit into rubber grommets. These rubber grommets are pressed into the radiator lower crossmember.
WARNING: When removing radiator, note position of the rubber seals located on the sides of the radiator. To prevent possible overheating, these seals must be installed to their original positions.
-
Lift the radiator up
and out of vehicle taking care not to damage radiator fins.

- Separate the transmission cooler (5) from the condenser (2) and position aside.
- Remove the A/C condenser (2) from the radiator (1) and position aside.
-
Remove the air seals.
INSPECTION
The radiator cooling fins should be checked for damage or deterioration. Inspect cooling fins to make sure they are not bent or crushed, these areas result in reduced heat exchange causing the cooling system to operate at higher temperatures. Inspect the plastic end tanks for cracks, damage or leaks.
Inspect the radiator neck for damage or distortion.
INSTALLATION
Before installing the radiator
or A/C condenser, be sure the radiator-to-body and radiator-to-A/C
condenser rubber air seals are properly fastened to their original
positions. These are used at the top, bottom and sides of the radiator
and A/C condenser. To prevent overheating, these seals must be installed
to their original positions.
CAUTION:
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- Position the air seals onto the radiator.
- Install the A/C condenser (2) onto the radiator (1). Tighten bolts to 8 N·m (70 in. lbs.).
- Install the transmission cooler (5) onto the A/C condenser (2). Tighten bolts to 8 N·m (70 in. lbs.).
-
Guide the radiators
alignment dowels into the rubber grommets located in lower radiator
crossmember. Install and tighten mounting bolts to 8 N·m (70 in. lbs.).

- Install the transmission cooler lines (3). Tighten bolt (1) to 8 N·m (70 in. lbs.).
-
Install the front grille (Refer to 23 - Body/Exterior/GRILLE
- Installation)
.

- Install the lower radiator hose.
- Position the lower cooling fan tabs onto the mounts located on the radiator (4).
- Install the cooling fan shroud bolts and tighten to 9 N·m (80 in. lbs.).
- Connect the cooling fan wire harness connector (3).
-
Install upper radiator
seal (2).

- Install the A/C lines (2, 4) to the condenser. Tighten nuts (3, 5) to 8 N·m (70 in. lbs.).
- Install the coolant recovery bottle hose onto fan shroud.
- Install the upper radiator hose.
- Charge the A/C system (Refer to 24 - Heating and Air Conditioning/Plumbing/Standard Procedure) .
- Fill the cooling system with correct coolant (Refer to 07 - Cooling - Standard Procedure) .
- Install the air cleaner body (Refer to 09 - Engine/Air Intake System/BODY, Air Cleaner/Installation) .
- Raise and support the vehicle (Refer to 04 - Vehicle Quick Reference/Hoisting/Standard Procedure) .
- Install the lower engine shield.
- Lower the vehicle.
- Connect the battery negative cable.
-
Start engine and check
for leaks.
