How to Take a Jeep Radiator Off

Removing the radiator from your Jeep may look daunting at first, but it's really not too complicated and can be done with common tools that most do-it-yourself mechanics will have in their garage. Here's how to go about removing a radiator from your Jeep.

Things You'll Need

• Wrenches and sockets (10 mm on most years)
• Crescent wrench
• Pliers
• Flathead screwdriver

Instructions

1. Remove the electric fan attached to the radiator, if present. The electric fan is connected only at the top by two bolts, and also by the electrical harness. Disconnect the electrical harness by unclipping the connector and pulling the wiring apart carefully. Then unscrew the two fasteners at the top of the fan and gently pull up and out. The bottom of the electrical fan connects to the radiator itself via two plastic tabs. Try not to break these tabs so that installation of the fan is possible once the new radiator is put in.

2. Remove the radiator hoses from the radiator. This is almost always done using a flathead screwdriver for the hose clamps, but some Jeeps use a pinch-style design which requires pliers to open and pull down the hose. If the hose does not easily come off, try twisting it slightly on its mount, being careful not to damage it. This is a great time to inspect the hoses and see if they need replacing. Signs of wear include bubbles, rusted or collapsed springs, and fraying or cuts in the hose itself.

3. Remove the transmission cooler lines. These can be found at the very bottom of the radiator and consist of a spinning nut on a hard metal line. Do not bend this line or replacement will be necessary to prevent the transmission from overheating. Once they are unthreaded from the radiator, tuck them away somewhere so that they won't get pinched or damaged while removing the radiator.

4. Remove the radiator. The radiator is much like the electric fan in that it is only bolted to the vehicle on the top. The bottom simply rests in pre-formed mounts from the factory. The plate just in front of the radiator where the hood latch is located must be removed, and then the radiator lifts right out. Be sure the radiator is drained of any fluid before it is lifted out or there will likely be a mess. Discard old coolant properly.