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Hey guys I’m going to show y’all how I replace my radiator for a 2002 Chevy Impala 3.8. Also where are some parts like the coolant level sensor, water reservoir, and so on. Okay there are some things you need to know about your radiator “from experience with this issue b/c of time consuming” make sure you know the size of the radiator core from ½ inch to 1 inch make sure y’all know for sure. I hope that anything I did helps someone like me before a lot of people gave me good advice. THANK YOU CHEVY LOVERS I’M JUST TRYING HELP JUST LIKE THIS FORUM DID ME.
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Parts you need for this project are:
New Radiator
Radiator Cap
“if needed “New thermostat
“ “coolant level sensor
“ “ New Radiator hoses
“ “ Fans
It all depends if you want to change this things while you’re doing this and it’s at your easiest reach.
Tools you need for this project are:
Set of ratchet and sockets
Philips & flat head screw drivers
Pair of pliers
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First disconnect negative from battery than empty fluids from radiator don’t forget to dispose of them the right way. Then remove the left & right front fender upper brace.
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After that remove bottom hose from radiator with pliers. Make sure you don’t bother trans cooler lines.
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Remove reservoir and disconnect small hose on radiator.
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Next unplug coolant level sensor with flat head screw driver.
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Remove battery and remove the plate were battery sits.
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Unplug small connection and loose up the big clamp. Unscrew two bolts to take air compartment of without taking the air filter off. Do not disconnect pmc computer inside the air compartment just pull it out and move it so you can take off the back of air compartment.
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After pulling carefully the pcm computer move to side and pop up the air compartment like this.
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This is the pcm computer and remember don’t unplug anything just move it away so you have room for radiator and fan together to come out.
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Pop clips that hold the wires from the pcm computer.
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Remove plastic cover if desired just twist oil handle pop out and take cover out, put back oil handle.
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Remove thermostat hose also disconnected from radiator too.
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Remove visible bolts and were my fingers are at.
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Remove aluminum bolts on both side and take support out. Once they are out put the pieces on both sides where the aluminum bots go to.
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Next you’re going to take off the wire retainers on the fan shroud so you can move them out the way. Unplug the connections to the fan and make sure you know were right and left connections go to on fan. Move wire connection out the way.
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With flat screw driver remove clip from coolant level sensor and make sure all hoses are removed. Then on trans cooler lines carefully unloose with ¾ combination wrench till you can take off with hand and move away carefully.
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Unscrew top right and left insulator after removal and after removal they look like this.
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After all of the instructions above the radiator is going to be loose just like a kids baby tooth ready to come out. Slowly push radiator towards motor like a 15 degree angle towards motor and pull up nice and slow, easy does it. Radiator and fan came off perfect.
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After removal of radiator with fan find the coolant level sensor and remove with flat head screw driver.
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Inspect new radiator to old radiator. Make sure that they are the same size of core as old one. On my new radiator I had new nipples for the trans cooler lines if they are bigger or smaller change them to the new ones.
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Take both screws off the fan and take the clip off too so you can take fan off old radiator. On coolant level sensor put the same one or replace coolant level sensor. Put back fan to the new radiator and put the clip back. Put bottom rubber insulators or replace them. If they keep falling off put tape around nipples and put back.
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Take your time and put back radiator, carefully try not to hit it too much. Then put back trans cooler lines top and bottom very carefully nice and easy. Put bottom radiator hose to new radiator.
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Reconnect coolant level sensor connection to coolant level sensor. Secure fan wires back to fan shroud and plug back the fan. If you have fan covers put back on.
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Connect the hose back on thermostat and radiator. Put the pcm back inside air compartment and put back air filter case. Put back screws and tight up big clamp. Connect small plug back to its place.
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Take off aluminum nut and bolt again and put brace back and put the 4 bolts again and push motor with hand at the same time your trying to put aluminum bots back to motor rack. Same on other side and here’s 2 more clear pictures. Twist oil handle and put back the cover.
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Put back plate and battery DO NOT CONNECT YET. Put water reservoir back. Tight bolts. Connect reservoir hose to radiator.
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Tight the bolts back upper left and right sides. Put back right fender upper brace and left upper brace. Refill car with proper fluids. Connect Battery.
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AND VOILA….THE END
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CONGRATULATIONS I HOPE THAT THIS HELPS YOU IN ANY WAY POSSIBLE. SINCE I DID MY RADIATOR MY CAR HAS BEEN GGGGGGGRRRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAATTT.
Parts you need for this project are:
New Radiator
Radiator Cap
“if needed “New thermostat
“ “coolant level sensor
“ “ New Radiator hoses
“ “ Fans
It all depends if you want to change this things while you’re doing this and it’s at your easiest reach.
Tools you need for this project are:
Set of ratchet and sockets
Philips & flat head screw drivers
Pair of pliers
First disconnect negative from battery than empty fluids from radiator don’t forget to dispose of them the right way. Then remove the left & right front fender upper brace.
After that remove bottom hose from radiator with pliers. Make sure you don’t bother trans cooler lines.
Remove reservoir and disconnect small hose on radiator.
Next unplug coolant level sensor with flat head screw driver.
Remove battery and remove the plate were battery sits.
Unplug small connection and loose up the big clamp. Unscrew two bolts to take air compartment of without taking the air filter off. Do not disconnect pmc computer inside the air compartment just pull it out and move it so you can take off the back of air compartment.
After pulling carefully the pcm computer move to side and pop up the air compartment like this.
This is the pcm computer and remember don’t unplug anything just move it away so you have room for radiator and fan together to come out.
Pop clips that hold the wires from the pcm computer.
Remove plastic cover if desired just twist oil handle pop out and take cover out, put back oil handle.
Remove thermostat hose also disconnected from radiator too.
Remove visible bolts and were my fingers are at.
Remove aluminum bolts on both side and take support out. Once they are out put the pieces on both sides where the aluminum bots go to.
Next you’re going to take off the wire retainers on the fan shroud so you can move them out the way. Unplug the connections to the fan and make sure you know were right and left connections go to on fan. Move wire connection out the way.
With flat screw driver remove clip from coolant level sensor and make sure all hoses are removed. Then on trans cooler lines carefully unloose with ¾ combination wrench till you can take off with hand and move away carefully.
Unscrew top right and left insulator after removal and after removal they look like this.
After all of the instructions above the radiator is going to be loose just like a kids baby tooth ready to come out. Slowly push radiator towards motor like a 15 degree angle towards motor and pull up nice and slow, easy does it. Radiator and fan came off perfect.
After removal of radiator with fan find the coolant level sensor and remove with flat head screw driver.
Inspect new radiator to old radiator. Make sure that they are the same size of core as old one. On my new radiator I had new nipples for the trans cooler lines if they are bigger or smaller change them to the new ones.
Take both screws off the fan and take the clip off too so you can take fan off old radiator. On coolant level sensor put the same one or replace coolant level sensor. Put back fan to the new radiator and put the clip back. Put bottom rubber insulators or replace them. If they keep falling off put tape around nipples and put back.
Take your time and put back radiator, carefully try not to hit it too much. Then put back trans cooler lines top and bottom very carefully nice and easy. Put bottom radiator hose to new radiator.
Reconnect coolant level sensor connection to coolant level sensor. Secure fan wires back to fan shroud and plug back the fan. If you have fan covers put back on.
Connect the hose back on thermostat and radiator. Put the pcm back inside air compartment and put back air filter case. Put back screws and tight up big clamp. Connect small plug back to its place.
Take off aluminum nut and bolt again and put brace back and put the 4 bolts again and push motor with hand at the same time your trying to put aluminum bots back to motor rack. Same on other side and here’s 2 more clear pictures. Twist oil handle and put back the cover.
Put back plate and battery DO NOT CONNECT YET. Put water reservoir back. Tight bolts. Connect reservoir hose to radiator.
Tight the bolts back upper left and right sides. Put back right fender upper brace and left upper brace. Refill car with proper fluids. Connect Battery.
AND VOILA….THE END
CONGRATULATIONS I HOPE THAT THIS HELPS YOU IN ANY WAY POSSIBLE. SINCE I DID MY RADIATOR MY CAR HAS BEEN GGGGGGGRRRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAATTT.
but like I said it all depends on the persons choice mine was change a day prior to radiator replacement also the thermostat and so on. Thanks for the look out on the wrong part name..
