GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Radiator Replacement LA3, LY9

Tools Required

    • J 38185 Hose Clamp Pliers
    • J 44827 Transmission Cooler Quick Disconnect

Removal Procedure

  1. Drain the coolant. Refer to Cooling System Draining and Filling .
  2. Remove the radiator support brackets. Refer to Radiator Support Bracket Replacement .
  3. Remove the cooling fans. Refer to Engine Cooling Fan Replacement .

  4. Object Number: 756145  Size: SH
  5. Remove the 2 upper condenser mounting bolts.
  6. Raise the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.

  7. Object Number: 823326  Size: SH

    Notice: The transmission oil cooler system uses quick connect fittings throughout the system. Use a special tool to disconnect these quick connect fittings. Removing the transmission oil cooler lines without this tool will result in damage to the radiator, the transmission, and the transmission oil cooler caused by mixing the transmission oil and coolant or due to transmission oil loss.

  8. Using the J 44827  (2) disconnect the lower transaxle oil cooler line from the radiator.

  9. Object Number: 836698  Size: SH
  10. Using the J 38185 disconnect the lower radiator hose (1) from the radiator.

  11. Object Number: 756179  Size: SH
  12. Remove the lower condenser mounting bolts.
  13. Remove the radiator side seal push pins.
  14. Separate the side seals from the radiator.
  15. Lower the vehicle.
  16. Remove the radiator.

Installation Procedure

  1. Install the radiator into the insulator in the frame.
  2. Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.


    Object Number: 756145  Size: SH
  3. Install the upper condenser mounting bolts.
  4. Tighten
    Tighten the bolts to 6.5 N·m (58 lb in).


    Object Number: 756179  Size: SH
  5. Raise the vehicle.
  6. Install the lower condenser mounting bolts.
  7. Tighten
    Tighten the bolts to 6.5 N·m (58 lb in).

  8. Push the lower transaxle oil cooler lines into the radiator until you hear the lines engage.
  9. Gently tug out on the transmission oil cooler lines to verify that the lines are engaged into position.
  10. Connect the lower radiator hose to the radiator.
  11. Using J 38185 slide the clamp into the original position on the hose.

  12. Object Number: 823328  Size: SH
  13. Connect the auxiliary transmission oil cooler line to the radiator (3).
  14. Install the side seal pushpin into the radiator.
  15. Ensure that all seal are in place around the radiator.
  16. Lower the vehicle.
  17. Install the cooling fans. Refer to Engine Cooling Fan Replacement .
  18. Install the radiator supports. Refer to Radiator Support Bracket Replacement .
  19. Fill the cooling system with coolant. Refer to Cooling System Draining and Filling .

Radiator Replacement LY7

Tools Required

    • J 38185 Hose Clamp Pliers
    • J 44827 Transmission Cooler Quick Disconnect

Removal Procedure

  1. Drain the coolant. Refer to Cooling System Draining and Filling .
  2. Remove the radiator support brackets. Refer to Radiator Support Bracket Replacement .
  3. Remove the cooling fans. Refer to Engine Cooling Fan Replacement .

  4. Object Number: 1319120  Size: SH
  5. Remove the 2 upper condenser mounting bolts (1).
  6. Raise the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.

  7. Object Number: 1204991  Size: SH
  8. Using J 38185 disconnect the lower radiator hose from the radiator.

  9. Object Number: 1213016  Size: SH
  10. Remove the front air deflector. Refer to Front Air Deflector Replacement in Body Front End.
  11. Notice: The transmission oil cooler system uses quick connect fittings throughout the system. Use a special tool to disconnect these quick connect fittings. Removing the transmission oil cooler lines without this tool will result in damage to the radiator, the transmission, and the transmission oil cooler caused by mixing the transmission oil and coolant or due to transmission oil loss.

  12. Using J 44827 disconnect the lower transaxle oil cooler line from the radiator.

  13. Object Number: 1319370  Size: SH
  14. Remove the lower condenser mounting bolts (1).
  15. Remove the push pins from the radiator side seal.
  16. Separate the side seals from the radiator.
  17. Lower the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
  18. Remove the radiator.

Installation Procedure

  1. Install the radiator into the insulator in the frame.
  2. Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.


    Object Number: 1319120  Size: SH
  3. Install the upper condenser mounting bolts (1).
  4. Tighten
    Tighten the bolts to 6.5 N·m (58 lb in).


    Object Number: 1319370  Size: SH
  5. Raise the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
  6. Install the lower condenser mounting bolts (1).
  7. Tighten
    Tighten the bolts to 6.5 N·m (58 lb in).

  8. Push the lower transaxle oil cooler lines into the radiator until you hear the lines engage.
  9. Gently tug out on the oil cooler lines to verify that the lines are engaged into position.

  10. Object Number: 1204991  Size: SH
  11. Connect the lower radiator hose to the radiator.
  12. Using J 38185 slide the clamp into the original position on the hose.
  13. Install the side seal pushpin into the radiator.
  14. Ensure that all seals are in place around the radiator.
  15. Lower the vehicle.
  16. Install the cooling fans. Refer to Engine Cooling Fan Replacement .
  17. Install the radiator supports. Refer to Radiator Support Bracket Replacement .
  18. Fill the cooling system with coolant. Refer to Cooling System Draining and Filling .

Radiator Replacement LS6

Tools Required

J 38185 Hose Clamp Pliers

Removal Procedure

  1. Drain the coolant. Refer to Cooling System Draining and Filling .
  2. Remove the radiator support brackets. Refer to Radiator Support Bracket Replacement .
  3. Remove the cooling fans. Refer to Engine Cooling Fan Replacement .

  4. Object Number: 1319120  Size: SH
  5. Remove the 2 upper condenser mounting bolts (1).
  6. Using the J 38185 disconnect the upper radiator hose clamp.
  7. Remove the upper radiator hose from the radiator.
  8. Using the J 38185 disconnect the surge tank inlet hose clamp.
  9. Remove the surge tank hose from the radiator.

  10. Object Number: 1204991  Size: SH
  11. Using J 38185 disconnect the lower radiator hose from the radiator.

  12. Object Number: 1319370  Size: SH
  13. Remove the lower condenser mounting bolts (1).
  14. Remove the push pins from the radiator side seal.
  15. Separate the side seals from the radiator.
  16. Lower the vehicle.
  17. Remove the radiator.

Installation Procedure

  1. Install the radiator into the insulator in the frame.
  2. Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.


    Object Number: 1319120  Size: SH
  3. Install the upper condenser mounting bolts (1).
  4. Tighten
    Tighten the bolts to 6.5 N·m (58 lb in).


    Object Number: 1319370  Size: SH
  5. Raise the vehicle.
  6. Install the lower condenser mounting bolts (1).
  7. Tighten
    Tighten the bolts to 6.5 N·m (58 lb in).


    Object Number: 1204991  Size: SH
  8. Connect the lower radiator hose to the radiator.
  9. Using J 38185 slide the clamp into the original position on the hose.
  10. Install the side seal pushpin into the radiator.
  11. Ensure that all seals are in place around the radiator.
  12. Lower the vehicle.
  13. Install the upper radiator hose to the radiator.
  14. Using the J 38185 reposition the upper radiator hose clamp.
  15. Install the surge tank hose to the radiator.
  16. Using the J 38185 reposition the surge tank inlet hose clamp.
  17. Install the cooling fans. Refer to Engine Cooling Fan Replacement .
  18. Install the radiator supports. Refer to Radiator Support Bracket Replacement .
  19. Fill the cooling system. Refer to Cooling System Draining and Filling .