11-25-2012, 09:23 AM
ColoradoHummerH3
Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 1


Radiator Removal
Instructions work great. When removing the transmission lines, there is a tool that you can buy for about $5.00 called a GM transmission line puller that will help speed up the job. Once you remove the line, use an earplug to stop up the line. I will also stress, if the hose clamps lock out when taking them off, be careful when putting back on, they do have alot of spring to them.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Robrote
2008 H3, 5 cyl, Auto, Air. Radiator Removal guide.

I just finished replacing the Rad in the above mentioned vehical and thought I would give my novice instructions on the procedures I used.

First off, you do not need to remove the fan clutch to perform this job. It will give you a little extra room, but not needed.

1. Remove the skip plate in the vehical. This is held on by 4 bolts. 2 10mm and 2 13mm.
2. Move the dust flap up and out of the way and remove the lower Rad hose to drain the system.
3. Remove the upper hose from the Rad. You can pinch the factory hose clamps with channel lock type pliars, to remove the hoses.
4. There is a small vent line on the left side (pass side) of the Rad. Remove it from the clip and move the hose out of the way.
5. The fan shroud has a inner and outter ring. With the top hose out of the way, you can now slide the inner ring all the way around. This will give you enough clearance to remove the shroud (it'll make sense when you're doing it). There are two tabs on each side of the shroud, just push them in and wriggle the shroud off.
6. From under the car, remove the two protective covers over the trans line clips. Using a small flat head screw drive, pry the clips off (this is one of the most time consuming parts of the job). One the clips are free, just pull the trans lines out of thier fittings. You will lose around 1 qt of Dexton IV fluid.
7. Remove the top center Rad hold down. The Rad is now loose and can be moved around a little.
8. You have to remove two bolts holding the AC condensor to the Rad. One is on the driver side and can be removed by going through the grill. It's a 10mm. Use a 10 inch ext on your ratchet. The second bolt can be removed by moving the rad forward a little. It's also a 10mm and very easy to remove. The lower part of the AC Cond. is an interference fit plastic clip that it sits in, on the Rad. Nothing fancy about pulling it off the Rad.
9. At this time, you can remove the Rad and replace.

A few notes- The job took me about 2 hours. The Trans fluid is Dextron IV and is very expensive as far as ATF goes. If you reuse the original hose clamps and you compressed the clamp as to where it is locked into the open position, I cannot stress enough to be extrememly careful when 'unspringing' the clamp. You could easily lose an eye, break a finger etc by the pressure in which those clamps are held.

Feel free to add any other tips that I may have missed.

Tools required
Ratchet
Sockets- 10mm, 13mm
Flat head screw drivers
Channel lock pliars

Parts
New Rad (amazon 235.00 with shipping)
1 gal. Anti freeze
1 quart of ATF fluid