YACT: Can I replace a raditator myself

[djheater]

I'm pretty technically competent. I haven't done a great deal of research on this but wanted to know what you guys thought before I got into it.


How complicated is the procedure?

 

[AnyMal]

Should be pretty straight forward. If you're still hesitant I recommend one of the Hays books, it shouod have illustrated step-by-step instructions.

 

[wischeez]

What kind of car is it in?

 

[ScoobMaster]

It usually is pretty easy. The upper and lower hoses are a breeze (just cut them off and use new ones). Where you will need to be careful is in removing the transmission cooler lines. They can sometimes be *VERY* tight and/or rusted and corroded. Take care not to round-off or strip the fittings during removal.

 

[scorp00]

Buy the hayes book and it's easy. Radiator replacement was the first car repair I did myself.

 

[djheater]

I think I'm getting off even easier beacase it's a manual, so I don't have to worry about the Transmission cooler lines.

I have the Hays around the house somewhere.....

The car is a 1998 Dodge neon SOHC, manual. From a little reading it looks like I should replace the Heater Hoses at the same time.

Thanks for the input guys, I'm gonna go price it at a mechanic and see what I'm saving myself.. looks like it will cost about $180 to do it myself (radiator, hoses, tools and hardware I invariably won't have on hand and will have to run to auto-zone to get).

 

[ScoobMaster]

Yes - do replace *ALL* the hoses (and get a new thermostat as well - they are cheap and you will not want to drain the system to replace one in the middle of winter ) If I were you i would also pick up a cheap "flush-n-fill" kit (your local Autozone or Parts America will have one) and backflush the engine block *BEFORE* hooking up that new radiator (you don't wan't any loose-flowing gunk in the engine block coming to rest in that nice new radiator do ya?)

 

[wischeez]

Should be fairly easy for you to do at home. Some sockets, screwdriver, maybe pliers and wrenches. Drain it out before you remove it and be careful putting the new one in. A shop will charge you somewhere between $50 and $75 an hour for labor usually.(Depends on where you live) To check the hoses and see if they need to be replaced, squeeze them. If they are easy to crush, should not need replacement. If they feel hard, or look split at the ends, it's a good idea to replace them to avoid problems down the road. After you get the new one in, fill it up with a 50/50 mixture of water and coolant. Run until the thermostat opens(without the cap on) and check to make sure the radiator is full. Don't want any air trapped in the heater core or engine block.


Also think about replacing the hoses if the car has a "few miles" on it to avoid any problems later.....

 

[Demon-Xanth]

It varies from stupidly easy to "Where the hell is it?!" hard depending on the application.