How to Replace a Radiator in a Jeep Grand Cherokee
The Jeep Cherokee is practical and sturdy, and if you maintain it properly, your Cherokee will continue to run smoothly for many miles. Part of this means taking care of problems such as a corroded or damaged radiator. If you have some mechanical skill, you can save money by replacing the radiator yourself. Here's how to replace the radiator in the 1999 to 2004 model Grand Cherokee.
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Things You'll Need
- Resealable container
- Wrench
- Replacement hoses, if necessary
- Replacement radiator
- Engine coolant
- Distilled water
Instructions
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1
Disconnect the negative battery cable before you begin the process of replacing the radiator. Then, remove the plug on the underside of the radiator and let the engine coolant drain into a resealable container.
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2
Remove the upper radiator hose and lower radiator hose. Inspect the hoses, and if they need to be replace, this is the perfect time to do it. Unfasten all of the bolts with a wrench, securing the grill reinforcement panel, and take off the panel.
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3
Unhook the transmission cooler lines, along with any electrical connections. Take off the radiator mounting support bolts, and remove the radiator support. Remove the bolts holding the radiator in place, and lift out the radiator.
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Slide the new radiator into place, and tighten the bolts according to specifications. Reattach the radiator support and the radiator mounting support bolts.
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Reconnect the electrical connections and the transmission cooler lines, and replace the grille reinforcement panel. Reconnect the negative battery cable.
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Fill the radiator with a mixture of half engine coolant and half distilled water, pouring slowly to avoid excess air.
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Start the engine and let it run for several minutes with the cap on very loosely to bleed air from the system, then top off the engine coolant mixture, if necessary. Replace the radiator cap securely.
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Tips & Warnings
Don't waste good engine coolant. If the coolant is clean, it can safely be reused. If you're unable to reuse it, take it to a garage or a hazardous waste facility for proper disposal.
Be sure the engine of your Jeep Grand Cherokee is completely cool before replacing the radiator because the hot liquid and steam can cause serious burns. Put a thick towel over the radiator cap and open the cap very slowly to allow any steam to escape. It's also a good idea to wear gloves and protective clothing.
Remember that cats and dogs are attracted to antifreeze, which can be fatal if ingested. Clean up any spills as soon as they happen.
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Comments
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this dosnt tell very little info.
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this site is not complete enough....what about the fan shroud...all one piece.........
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computimus
Jul 06, 2010
Just a heads up. The person that wrote this initially needs to also include a tool needed to disconnect the Automatic Transmission hose line. They are specific tools and can be bought at an Auto parts store. Also make sure that the radiator you purchase has the attachment bolts on top for the reusable rubber bolts for the fan shroud. The grill on front also needs to come off to remove the bolts on the back of the radiator. There are only two that hold the radiator in the horizontal area. The top has about 6 that need to come out. The fan shroud stays in but you need to move it out of the way so that you can pull the radiator up and out. There will be some damage to the radiator on removal but that is the whole point. The transmission lines need to be removed as well. You should not lose much oil. Plug them if you can with a bolt and rag. I just replaced mine and it so far has... -
aupilot
Jul 01, 2010
Agreed....This is a total pain in the butt job. 2 Bolts are nearly impossible to reach and you more or less have to rip the old radiator out and hope for the best. Once the old one is out you now have the problem of getting the new one in without causing too much damage to it....good luck. Right now I am stuck with a big hole in the front of my engine trying to find a way to wedge everything back in. Pay someone to do this job!
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jc071172
Nov 11, 2009
Me and my buddy, who has changed radiators on vehicles before(never a jeep GC though) attempted this last nihgt. It took us from 6pm till 1am to do this, and we still did not succeed b/c we ended up stripping the bolt that comes out on the back side of the radiator on the lower left for the lower left transmission line. We stripped it b/c we never could get a real good grip of the darn thing to make sure it was on there or not. So then I had to get it towed this morning just to fix that one little bolt on the lower trans line. My advice to anyone out there, 1) don't ever buy a Chrysler, 2)don't ever try to replace your own radiator unless its like a pickup truck that is less then a 92 model, 3) bottomline, just let someone do this for you. $500 is reasonable for new rad. part+labor, so if you can find $500 or less, DO IT!!!!
