Find solution

How to Replace the Radiator in a 1997 Silverado

Replacing the radiator in your 1997 Silverado is a basic automotive repair to perform. Your radiator plays an important role in the trucks overall cooling system. Its primary function is to keep the engine from overheating. As your engines temperature rises, a cooled mixture of coolant flows into the engine and reduces its temperature. Over time, the radiator becomes damaged resulting from objects hitting the front during operation. This damage can cause the water not to properly flow into the engine as necessary. Performing a routine inspection for damage can help prevent your radiator from falling and causing engine overheating.

Instructions

Removal

1

Park the truck on a level surface, and set the parking brake. Lift the front end using a floor jack, and carefully place it onto the jack stands. Brace the rear wheels using wheel chocks as an added safety measure.

2

Raise the hood, remove the radiator fill cap and disconnect the negative battery cable. Place the recycling container under the radiator drain plug.

3

Unscrew the drain plug bolt, and drain all of the antifreeze from the radiator. Securely seal the recycling container, and safety move it to the side.

4

Remove the radiator safety shield (shroud) mounted on the top of the radiator. The shroud is held in place using two bolts on either side.

5

Remove the main intake radiator hose that attaches to the thermostat housing cover. This hose is held in place by a squeeze-type hose clamp. Detach the hose that leads to the antifreeze reservoir tank.

6

Make note of the lower hose connections, which include the radiator hose leading to the water pump, and also the heater core hose line. Disconnect these lower hoses held in place by squeeze clamps.

7

Reach underneath the truck, and remove the lower radiator mounting bolts. Then, take out the upper mounting bolts from the engine compartment and lift out the radiator.

Installation

8

Carefully hold the replacement radiator in place, and screw in the upper mounting screws by hand. This will hold the radiator in place and allow you to install the lower bolts.

9

Install the lower bolts, and securely tighten all of the mounting bolts in place. Reconnect the lower radiator and heater core hoses, and secure them in place using the hose clamps.

10

Connect the upper radiator and reservoir hoses and secure them using the hose clamps. Re-mount the safety shield (shroud), and secure it in place using its mounting bolts.

11

Start the engine, and fill the radiator with a new 50/50 mixture of antifreeze and water. Let the engine idle for several minutes to bleed out trapped air within the cooling system. Replace the radiator fill cap, and inspect all the connections for leaks.

12

Safely raise the truck and remove the floor jacks and wheel chocks. Lower the truck to the ground.

Posted by Unknown at 2:30 AM

Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to Pinterest

Labels: 1997, a, how, in, radiator, replace, silverado, the, to