How to Change a Radiator on a 95 Grand Am

You can take your 95 Grand Am to a radiator shop for repairs, but if it is an old unit and has already been through one or more fixes, it might be a good idea to replace the radiator to prevent engine overheating and costly repairs. Moreover, you do not even have to take your Grand Am to the shop--follow this guide to help you remove the old radiator and install the new one yourself.

Things You'll Need

• Wrench
• Catch pan
• Phillips screwdriver
• Ratchet and socket set
• Line wrench
• Plastic bag
• Correction fluid
• Rib joint pliers
• Floor jack
• 2 jack stands
• Ratchet extension
• Distill water
• Antifreeze
• Small funnel

Instructions

Remove the Radiator

1. Park your car in a level surface and disconnect the black, negative battery cable using a wrench.

2. Place a catch pan under the radiator, loosen the radiator cap, open the drain valve and remove all the coolant. Then close the radiator drain valve.

3. Take the air-intake duct assembly off to gain better access to the radiator using a Phillips screwdriver, ratchet and socket.

4. Detach the upper oil cooler line from the radiator if your Grand Am has an automatic transmission. Only use a line wrench to disconnect the line to prevent damage to the retaining nut. Then cover the line opening with a plastic bag to prevent contamination of the system.

5. Disconnect the brace that runs from the strut tower to the radiator. Use a wrench or ratchet and socket.

6. Matchmark the hood latch attached to the upper radiator support using correction fluid. This will help you reinstall the latch at the same exact position. Then remove the hood latch using a ratchet and socket.

7. Disconnect the upper radiator hose. Use a pair of rib joint pliers to slide the clamp off the hose. Then carefully twist and pull the hose off the radiator fitting.

8. Disconnect the overflow hose from the radiator neck using the rib joint pliers.

9. Unplug the cooling fan and other electrical connections that might interfere with the removal of the radiator.

10. Unbolt the cooling fan assembly using a ratchet and socket and remove it from the engine compartment.

11. Raise the front of the vehicle using a floor jack and support it on two jack stands.

12. Detach the radiator splash shield from under the vehicle (if equipped). Use a ratchet and socket.

13. Disconnect the lower radiator hose using the rib joint pliers to slide the clamp off the hose. Carefully twist and pull the hose off the radiator fitting.

14. Detach the lower cooler line from the radiator using the line wrench if your vehicle has an automatic transmission. Then cover the line opening with a plastic bag.

15. Lower the vehicle.

16. Detach the condenser assembly from the radiator using a wrench and ratchet and socket if your Grand Am is equipped with air conditioning.

17. Detach the radiator from the engine compartment using a ratchet, ratchet extension and socket. Then lift the radiator out of the vehicle.

Install the New Radiator

1. Set the new radiator in place and tighten the mounting bolts using the ratchet, ratchet extension and socket.

2. Install the condenser assembly to the radiator using the wrench and ratchet and socket if your Grand Am is equipped with air conditioning.

3. Raise the front of the vehicle using the floor jack and support it on the jack stands.

4. Attach the lower cooler line to the radiator using the line wrench. Start the retaining nut by hand to avoid damage to the thread. Then tighten the nut.

5. Connect the lower radiator hose and secure the clamp with the rib joint pliers.

6. Attach the radiator splash shield using the ratchet and socket if your vehicle is equipped with one.

7. Lower the vehicle.

8. Set the cooling fan assembly in place and tighten the mounting bolts using the ratchet and socket.

9. Plug the cooling fan electrical connector and other electrical connections you had to unplug.

10. Connect the overflow hose to the radiator neck using the rib joint pliers.

11. Connect the upper radiator hose using the rib joint pliers to secure the clamp.

12. Install the hood latch following the matchmarks using the ratchet and socket.

13. Connect the brace to the strut tower and radiator using the wrench or ratchet and socket.

14. Attach the upper cooler line to the radiator if your Grand Am is equipped with an automatic transmission. Start the line-retaining nut by hand. Then tighten the nut with the line wrench.

15. Install the air-intake duct assembly if you had to remove it. Use the Phillips screwdriver, ratchet and socket.

16. Refill the cooling system with a 50/50 mixture of distilled water and antifreeze. Pour the coolant through the radiator neck using a small funnel. Make sure the coolant level is about an inch bellow the bottom of the radiator neck and between the "Low" and "Full" marks in the coolant reservoir.

17. Connect the black, negative battery cable using the wrench.

Tips & Warnings

• Never remove the radiator cap when the engine is hot. This could spray steam hot coolant out of the radiator and cause serious skin burns injuries. Always store old coolant in a sealed container and a safe place to recycle. Pets and kids may die if they can reach and drink the coolant.

References

• General Motors Haynes Repair Manual; Richard Lindwall and J.H. Haynes; 2001
• Modern Automotive Technology; James E. Duffy; 2003