Hi folks, a few days ago, my 2000 SLE's radiator went out. I picked up a new one yesterday and it's ready to go in. As this is my first car, I have limited automotive experience and I can't afford to take it to a shop for them to do the work. Can anyone provide step-by-step radiator replacement instructions?

1: remove lower plastic splash panel under radiator
2: Losen radiator petcock on drivers side to drain fluid into a drip pan
3: remove radiator support brackets (3 or 4) on top of the radiator support and pull rubber cover off
4: remove radiator fan bolts (2 on each iirc), unhook electric connector from fans and lift fans out
5: remove upper and lower radiator hoses (easier with a hose clamp tool) spring clamps
6: unhook trans cooler lines by removing the small E clips hidden under the plastic covers, pull out with e-clip removed (dont lose them... radiator might not come with new ones)
7: remove radiator out the top.. takes a little wiggling and swearing..
8: install in reverse order..
9: remove thermostat and fill engine block up as much as possible...
10: install new T-stat and seal
11: fill radiator and bleed system (bleeder on t-stat housing)... monitor fluid level

Spring clamp removal tool:


radiator petcock on driver side:

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Shane "RedZMonte"
2004 Z16 Z06: Virgin
2000 SSEi: Kenwood DDX512, 3.25" MPS, ZZP DP, PLog, Puck Mount, NGK TR7's, DHP Tuned
1995 Monte Z34: T04e "60" turbo, 42.5# injectors, Borla Catback, OBDII swap, DHP Tuned, Much more...

Thanks for the list above! I just did this today, I would add tho, if u remover the passenger side radiator support bolts and remove one drivers side and loosen the other and then lift the support up as much as u can , it helps a lot for getting fans and then rad out! with less swearing ,lol....