PM Gasuout...he has the info you are looking for.
Radiator needs replacing
Looking to receive advice from a person that “has been there done that.” My radiator is leaking coolant and needs to be replaced. The vehicle is a Chevy Kodiak 08 C5500 diesel 6.6L. Was trying to do this myself as a shade tree job but have the following concerns. Was told the whole stack (oil, ac, heat exc) in front of the radiator has to be removed. If I have to disconnect the AC lines then this job is over my head. The overflow / fill tank looks to have a solid band holding the hose to the radiator, thus the question, will I need special (GMC) tools to do this job? Any guidance will be appreciated. Also was looking for a total metal radiator to replace the 15258918 plastic/metal radiator, do you know of one? Thanks
1 - 11 of 11 Posts
Radiator removal
I just got my radiator repaired after the fan came apart and knocked holes in the radiator and tore up all the cowling. The mechanic removed all the hoses and attachments over the radiator and it was raised up out of the slot where it sits. No other coolers had to be disconnected.
J. V.
I just got my radiator repaired after the fan came apart and knocked holes in the radiator and tore up all the cowling. The mechanic removed all the hoses and attachments over the radiator and it was raised up out of the slot where it sits. No other coolers had to be disconnected.
J. V.
Kodiak and J.V., thanks for your input. Kodiak, I have PMed Gasuout. J.V., when "the mechanic removed all the hoses", did he have to disconnect the coolers (mainly AC and oil) from their lines? Hope the info on your 06 C4500 will be the same for my 08 C5500. Thanks again CAH
My son is visiting me. He is a truck mechanic. Going to change the antifreeze tomorrow on my Kodiak. When I mentioned about the repair manual showing that all the items in front needed to be removed his statement was. I don't think that's true. He showed me how he would do it. Much simpler than my repair manual stated.
Went back to my 2005 repair manual. Instead of the 2006 and newer manual. Here is the procedure without pictures.
Radiator Replacement
Removal Procedure
Important
Always install a new set of insulators when replacing a radiator. Used insulators may be worn or too large for the new radiator. These conditions may cause the new radiator to be loose.
1.Remove the surge tank. Refer to Surge Tank Replacement .
2.Remove the clamp at the radiator inlet using J 38185 .
3.Remove the inlet hose from the radiator.
4.Remove the clamp at the radiator outlet using J 38185 .
5.Remove the outlet hose from the radiator.
6.Remove the upper air baffle assembly. Refer to Radiator Air Baffle and Deflector Replacement - Upper .
7.Disconnect the automatic transmission cooler lines. Refer to Transmission Oil Cooler Line Quick Connect Fitting in Automatic Transmission - Allison.
8.Disconnect the engine oil cooler lines. Refer to Engine Oil Cooler Pipe/Hose Quick Connect Fitting .
9.Remove the outlet heater hose clamp at the radiator using J 38185 .
10.Remove the outlet heater hose from the radiator.
11.Remove the fan shroud bolts from the top of the radiator support.
12.Remove the upper radiator support bracket bolts. Refer to Radiator Support Replacement .
13.Remove the air cooler bolts.
14.Remove the upper transmission oil cooler bracket nuts and reposition the bracket.
15.Remove the radiator*(2).
16.Remove the radiator insulators*(1,3).
17.Inspect the following components. Replace the components as necessary:
The radiator
The insulators
The hoses and clamps
The mounting hardware
Hopefully Gasuout will respond to your PM. He also replaced his Inter-cooler in another thread. Cracked Intercooler
Went back to my 2005 repair manual. Instead of the 2006 and newer manual. Here is the procedure without pictures.
Radiator Replacement
Removal Procedure
Important
Always install a new set of insulators when replacing a radiator. Used insulators may be worn or too large for the new radiator. These conditions may cause the new radiator to be loose.
1.Remove the surge tank. Refer to Surge Tank Replacement .
2.Remove the clamp at the radiator inlet using J 38185 .
3.Remove the inlet hose from the radiator.
4.Remove the clamp at the radiator outlet using J 38185 .
5.Remove the outlet hose from the radiator.
6.Remove the upper air baffle assembly. Refer to Radiator Air Baffle and Deflector Replacement - Upper .
7.Disconnect the automatic transmission cooler lines. Refer to Transmission Oil Cooler Line Quick Connect Fitting in Automatic Transmission - Allison.
8.Disconnect the engine oil cooler lines. Refer to Engine Oil Cooler Pipe/Hose Quick Connect Fitting .
9.Remove the outlet heater hose clamp at the radiator using J 38185 .
10.Remove the outlet heater hose from the radiator.
11.Remove the fan shroud bolts from the top of the radiator support.
12.Remove the upper radiator support bracket bolts. Refer to Radiator Support Replacement .
13.Remove the air cooler bolts.
14.Remove the upper transmission oil cooler bracket nuts and reposition the bracket.
15.Remove the radiator*(2).
16.Remove the radiator insulators*(1,3).
17.Inspect the following components. Replace the components as necessary:
The radiator
The insulators
The hoses and clamps
The mounting hardware
Hopefully Gasuout will respond to your PM. He also replaced his Inter-cooler in another thread. Cracked Intercooler
Radiator removal
I did not stand as he removed everthing, but best I remember the lines to transmission cooler and ac condensers were intact when I walked back and looked under the hood. I watched the mechanic remove lots of braces from above the radiator, lots of bolts.
J. V.
I did not stand as he removed everthing, but best I remember the lines to transmission cooler and ac condensers were intact when I walked back and looked under the hood. I watched the mechanic remove lots of braces from above the radiator, lots of bolts.
J. V.
Ron, thanks again for your input. Looks like I will need the special J38185 tool for a version of a JC clip. Will a flat bade work for the "Transmission Oil Cooler Line Quick Connect Fitting, which I think is located at the radiator? Still looking for an all metal radiator, I am guessing the receiving quick connect fitting on the radiator will have to be moved over to the new radiator. I have no heater hoses on my radiator, they seem to tap off the main hoses, could only see one, the other ran to the back part of the engine. With the forum's help looks like I could tackle this job. Thanks CAH
J.V., more good news, to have the cooler and condenser stay intact will add more positives in my direction in doing this job. Four radiator websites have responded with no all metal radiator for my 08 Kodiak. How long was your radiator replacement repair time? Thanks for your input...CAH
radiator removal
I do not know how much time is charged by GM. I waited in the waiting room while it was pulled. Took about 2 hours from start to out. I was surprised at the total bill. The cost for all was $800 for labor,new fan, all new cowling, hoses on the intercooler and repair of the 2 torn holes in the radiator. I was expecting the bill to be more.
J. V.
I do not know how much time is charged by GM. I waited in the waiting room while it was pulled. Took about 2 hours from start to out. I was surprised at the total bill. The cost for all was $800 for labor,new fan, all new cowling, hoses on the intercooler and repair of the 2 torn holes in the radiator. I was expecting the bill to be more.
J. V.
The hose clamp pliers are noting special. If you do not have one check with one of the auto parts stores they will have some type of pliers that will work.
Were you able to replace ? Looking to do the same.Looking to receive advice from a person that “has been there done that.” My radiator is leaking coolant and needs to be replaced. The vehicle is a Chevy Kodiak 08 C5500 diesel 6.6L. Was trying to do this myself as a shade tree job but have the following concerns. Was told the whole stack (oil, ac, heat exc) in front of the radiator has to be removed. If I have to disconnect the AC lines then this job is over my head. The overflow / fill tank looks to have a solid band holding the hose to the radiator, thus the question, will I need special (GMC) tools to do this job? Any guidance will be appreciated. Also was looking for a total metal radiator to replace the 15258918 plastic/metal radiator, do you know of one? Thanks
1 - 11 of 11 Posts
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