How to remove radiator from 2003 Monte Carlo?

Question

The car overheats periodically, especially recently when in the mountains. I removed the overflow water bottle to clean it out and discovered that the dark stuff on the inner walls was actually grease. After trying TSP and Tide I ended up cleaning it with paint thinner, followed by flushing with water. But, I figure the whole system needs flushing, especially the radiator. I plan to remove the radiator, flush with paint thinner to dislodge/dissolve the grease, then wash out thoroughly with Tide and water. I will also flush the rest of the system with a water hose. If you've fixed this problem (i.e., grease in the radiator) successfully yourself I'd appreciate hearing your input. Thanks.

Answer 1

Unfortunately it sounds like you have a bigger problem than a dirty radiator! If the "muck" in your header tank is actually oil then it sounds like your head gasket is gone & that is why your car is overheating, especially under heavy loads going up mountains.

You can test this easily enough by taking it to a mechanic & have a "TK test" done. This checks the coolant system for carbon monoxide (engine fumes). Do this before you clean any more of you system as it will only get contaminated again if you continue to drive it. Something you can check for yourself, although it's not fool proof, is remove the oil filler cap & check the inside of the cap. If it has a mayo like substance on it then book it in for the gasket.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

Answer 2

If you don't know how to remove the radiator then you don't need to be doing this job.  The radiator is simple in itself, several bolts on the top and hoses and it lifts right out.  How do you plan to clean the engine out and how do you plan to keep it clean.  What I did was to replace my gm radiator in my 1500 truck.  The oem radiator was half the size of my new radiator.  I would be very careful with what you're planning on doing.  Check other stuff too, like hose collapsing, pumps with the blades missing or worn, thermostats.  Don't just hold your investigation to the radiator.  I've always had wierd stuff in my overflow tank that looked like oil and was hard to get out.

(just read the other answers, you know, I wouldn't panic.  If you're using water, or the oil level goes down, you might have a worry depends on how much the level drops.  I've had a mercury villager, 204000 miles on it and the water level always goes down around town.)

Answer 3

well not so hard to remove only a few bolts and a hoses transmission lines take about 30 minute or so... and really it would be smarter not to use paint thinner but to take it to a radiator shop and have them acid dip it.. you can flush the motor with a hose and let the car run will pump out a lot of the trash and really its not grease but oil and thats another problem you should have to look into ....