Radiator Installation (Full Version)

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Radiator Installation

  

JerryN -> Radiator Installation (5/6/2008 5:50:13 PM)

I'm in the process of replacing the radiator on my '96 Dakota (3.9L V-6). I would like to know what the two small hoses at the bottom of the radiator are, and what to expect when I remove them. No, I don't have a Haynes manual, the new radiator and fresh coolant have cost me enough as it is. [:D] Besides the hose question, I'd welcome any other suggestions from folks who've done this before. Thanks in advance.
-Jerry

  
gillisfire20 -> RE: Radiator Installation (5/6/2008 6:25:03 PM)

The two hoses at the bottom are your  transmition lines. They feed into the radiator to keep the trany fluid cool. You are more than likley going to need a special tool to get the one on the right side off and possibly the left also. The tool cost only about $10 and is a set of plastic rings that will slide into the connection and push the locking teeth loose. The other option you have is to cut the lines just behind the fitting and slide the hose onto the new nipples and use hose clamps to hold them in place. The hole process is fairly easy. Unbolt the shroud and push it back, unbolt the radiator and all water lines and take on the challange of the trany lines.

noodle -> RE: Radiator Installation (5/6/2008 7:35:39 PM)

If your careful, you wont need the special tool to unclip the transmission cooler lines. just be careful not to break the clips because they are hard to find. 

JerryN -> RE: Radiator Installation (5/7/2008 11:42:36 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: noodle
If your careful, you wont need the special tool to unclip the transmission cooler lines. just be careful not to break the clips because they are hard to find. 

The clips themselves appear to be plastic with two ears on them. If I attempt to remove the lines without the special tool, do I squeeze or compress the ears? And when I replace the lines on the new radiator, do they just press on?

noodle -> RE: Radiator Installation (5/7/2008 2:00:15 PM)

correct

LegendRacer6 -> RE: Radiator Installation (5/7/2008 8:34:05 PM)

Not to take over the thread, but what radiator (model name/#) did you buy Jerry? I have to replace mine in a '93 V-6 manual trans, sometime this week.

Post any tips that could help me before I do mine lol

JerryN -> RE: Radiator Installation (5/9/2008 2:32:58 PM)

LegendRacer6,
Your '93 apparently uses the same radiator as my '96 except you may not need the automatic transmission cooling line connections on the bottom. I got mine from the local Advance Auto Parts, part #431336, brand name Ready-Rad, online price is $161.98 which (I think) is same as what I paid at the store. Only problem I'm having is removing the transmission cooling lines [:@] as I mentioned above. The connector fitting is metal, about 1" long, flared at the end, and there is a yellow plastic sleeve inside with two ears, one on each side. The connection line from the radiator is 3/8". I have attached two pics of disconnect tool sets, maybe somebody could please tell me which set to use???  

[image]local://upfiles/88674/849895AAFEE64472A6920CF0922935E5.jpg[/image]

[image]local://upfiles/88674/B38FF44FD2694972B1F483A83B52AF66.jpg[/image]

Bad96_3.9 -> RE: Radiator Installation (5/9/2008 8:07:03 PM)

they are a PITA to get off but i would just use the yellow ears so you dont break them off with the disconnect tool...

JerryN -> RE: Radiator Installation (5/9/2008 8:23:30 PM)

So do you compress the yellow plastic ears together with a needle nose pliers, or do you grip the ears and slide the plastic sleeve out of the fitting??? I feel like an idiot because I can't figure out how to take these things off. [:@] Here's a drawing I made of the fitting, if anybody can explain the damn thing I'd appreciate it.  

[image]local://upfiles/88674/0991238FC5B6498AB111ACD456B00D5C.jpg[/image]

Bad96_3.9 -> RE: Radiator Installation (5/10/2008 6:27:20 PM)

that is a pretty good drawing, lol. but you squish te yellow ears together, i just use my fingers, but you can use pliers too. push the line onto the fitting like you are trying to put it on and the press the ears in and pull back. they stay in the line when you take it off. They are supposed to be"quick disconnect" lines...but they never are!!! i usuall end up getting pissed at them and just keep pressing on the ears as i push and pull violently on the line and it comes off.

JerryN -> RE: Radiator Installation (5/10/2008 7:56:42 PM)

Bad 96, thanks for your response. Last night I decided that one way or another the cooling lines were coming off the radiator today, and they did but I used the "John Wayne" technique (a big pair of slip-joint pliers) and tore them off the radiator. I kinda let my temper take over. [&o] Schedule for tomorrow: (1) use my Dremel tool to cut off the [image]http://www.dodgeforum.com/upfiles/smiley/smiley35.gif[/image] bottom radiator hose spring clip that I can't reach to compress; (2) pull the old radiator and the [image]http://www.dodgeforum.com/upfiles/smiley/smiley35.gif[/image] fan shroud that's been in the way; and (3) get the [image]http://www.dodgeforum.com/upfiles/smiley/smiley35.gif[/image] cooling lines off the torn-off stubs!

JerryN -> RE: Radiator Installation (5/16/2008 4:19:24 PM)

Just a wrap-up comment from my radiator project. I did end up cutting off the bottom radiator hose spring clip and replacing it with a conventional hose clamp. As for the transmission cooling lines, the new radiator came with alternate 3/8" nipples to take the "quick-disconnect" fittings. If any of you do this project in the future and end up damaging/destroying the plastic press-to-release inserts in the fittings like I did, Advance Auto carries replacements. Dorman part #800-006, GM/Chrysler Retaining Clips, 3/8", $4.94 for a box of 5. The local Dodge parts guy was clueless, even when I showed him the good piece. His data base showed hose clamps vice quick-disconnects. [:D] BTW, there's no special tool for these fittings (see Bad 96's post above) but a pair of needle-nose pliers might help to squeeze the ears. Thanks everybody for your help and comments.

Bad96_3.9 -> RE: Radiator Installation (5/17/2008 8:17:33 PM)

good to see you have it done. i am glad someone else has the same problems at the dealer as i do!!! lol.

  

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