Radiator Removal Replace Reinstall 5.0

[EMBPilot]

Hey guys
98 5.0 AWD

need your help once again, after fixing the rear I seem to have a new more urgent matter on hand...

there is a steady stream of coolant leaking down the passenger side of the radiator, and i mean FAST. it will dump about 1/4 of the reserve tank each time the system is pressurized.

since its running down the seam between the plastic end piece where its crimped to the rad im suspecting a new radiator should do the trick. NAPA has one for $260.

im no auto repair expert, i give myself a 5 on a scale of one to 10. keep that in mind.

reading the factory service manual its saying that i have to remove the FAN in order to get the rad out. to do so i'll need special fan clutch holding tools and fan wrench. this part is whats making me shy away from this project, the rest looks straight forward.

can you guys give me some insight on whats involved with this job?

or should i leave this to the pros?

Thanks in advance,
Kevin

 

[section525]

The tools are pretty simple. They look similar to this:

The bigger, sqaure one holds the pully in place, while you use the thin, normal-looking wrench to loosen the fan.

It's really pretty simple. What does the manual say about removing the AC lines?

 

[EMBPilot]

i dont have those tools.. hummm, the hanes book says nothing about removing the fan, unlike the service manual. neither of them mention anything about the AC lines... i dont think the AC lines are an issue since the radiator is pulled UP for removal.

 

[section525]

Any auto parts place (Autozone, Pep Boys, Checkers/Schucks/Kragen) should have the tool to loan.

Let me check my manual...

 

[EMBPilot]

further looking at the truck i dont know why the factory service manual has you removing the fan to begin with?! it looks like i can take the fan shrowd and slide it back over the fan, and leave it there. and go about the radiator removal with the fan still installed?! it looks like there is plenty of clearance.

 

[AMMO_HOOAH]

Don't even bother trying to leave the fan on you'll bust some knuckles cut your self, and end up taking off the fan anyway. Just "rent" the tool from advance or autozone and remove it. One piece of advice I have is to remove one or two of the bolts that hold the fan to the clutch it frees up some room for the wrenches. the A/C lines aren't a problem, but getting the condenser(I think that's what it's called) off of and back on the slide bracket is kind of a PITA. Also don't forget that you'll lose some tranny fluid in the swap, and pick up some thread sealer too. The first one I did leaked out of the brass fittings for the tranny lines. If you have any more questions I just did this again (see why Here)

 

[idoticsoigpa]

I just took the radiator out of my 1998 EB 5.0 AWD this evening, and no you don't have to remove the fan to take the radiator out. Remove the shroud and slide it back over the fan and the radiator can come out. The biggest pain is separating it from the A/C condenser. You have to separate the clip on the lower right of the radiator, and then slide the radiator to the driver's side to separate the clips on the driver's side. I don't know if you have to remove the serpentine belt or not, but I did.

 

[koda2000]

check out the how-to "sticky" by joedirt. tells you exactly how to replace the radiator with pictures. i'm pretty sure he says you can leave the fan in place without too much trouble.

also, you may want to shop the internet for a replacement radiator. $260 is very high. you can find 2-row exact replacement rads (with free shipping and a warranty) for a lot less money.

edited.