Radiator replacement/fluids 04 tahoe

[BlueCollarTahoe]

switched out my grill for an aftermarket one, noticed now rusty and ancient the radiator is. i know the truck is old and this is most likely the factory one. i was thinking of replacing it before it croaks, and changing out the fluid. what you guys think? go acdelco? after market? im at 130k miles now, whats a good interval for this?

 

[OR VietVet]

I don't think you can go wrong with an AC Delco radiator. If the one you see is the original, then you will be like quality. Radiator cap too. Thermostat at same time.

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I love spending other people's money.

 

[Big Mama]

I’m with Ron here. The rust may be superficial from water not coolant. If you want to get a replacement for a backup go AC Delco and the mixture your rig recommends. If, however, you see lots of coolant on it I’d swap and flush the system so you have a good start date.

 

[BlueCollarTahoe]

didnt see any coolant on it and my temp level stays level at the same place...but man if you flick the fins it just falls apart. rusty as hell. last thing i want is for this truck to croak heat/ac wise this summer. i rather be proactive than reactive. i had the water pump blow on me on a summer day wasnt fun.

 

[Fless]

Radiator cap too.

Agree with @PNW VietVet except that these don't have radiator caps, just the surge tank cap (which had a link). I knew what he meant.

 

[Big Mama]

Ah didn’t know the find were what you were saying rusted. In that case yes, do it soon.

 

[SnowDrifter]

I want to clarify, when you say radiator, do you indeed mean radiator? Or are you looking at the a/c condensor, which sits forward of the radiator?

That aside, OE radiator and thermostat, IMO. Had poor luck in the aftermarket with both. No RTV needed. Lube it with some coolant and toss together as per the appropriate torque specs.

For coolant, personally I use this stuff at a 60/40 ratio. Yes, this, specifically. Had a couple back and forths with the MFR about the formulation and a long chat about plasticizers, as well as it's ability to protect both iron and aluminum parts.

If you don't feel like re-inventing the wheel, use dexcool. PM me if you want to chat about it, else that discussion will derail this thread real quick. Meh.

Stick with spring clamps on the rad hoses. If yours are rusted, get new ones. I have a personal vendetta out against worm drive stuff (InB4 "they work for me").

Get a rad with a drain if you can. Much more sanitary when doing maintenance than having to bag off your a/c compressor and belt then rip the hose off and curse as it makes a mess.

 

[BlueCollarTahoe]

im talking about the fins right behind the grille. ill take a picture of it this week and upload.

 

[BlueCollarTahoe]

also was thinking about putting in a light bar there...someone told me its not a good idea to have too much blocking the fins as this is how ir cools with airflow? how true is this? i was thinking a light bar or some yellow strobes for helping around the garage at work in the grille.

 

[Tonyrodz]

im talking about the fins right behind the grille. ill take a picture of it this week and upload.

That sounds like your ac condenser, not the radiator.

 

[BlueCollarTahoe]

 

[Fless]

The small rectangular one in the middle is your tranny cooler. The power steering cooler (vertical, on the right) looks pretty sorry. I wouldn't hit that one with much water, it might just fall apart. The big one that looks like it takes up the whole background is for your A/C; the radiator will be right behind that, closer to the engine.

 

[BlueCollarTahoe]

yea it crumbles if you touch it the power steering part. in my head i thought everything was like that until i found a recent pic i took of it. worth it to replace the power steering part? how the rest look? would putting strobe hazard lights/light bar across mess with theser parts?

 

[Tonyrodz]

Seems like alot of those power steering coolers---that I've seen--just disintegrate. I just deleted mine with no ill affects.

 

[mikeyss]

Seems like alot of those power steering coolers---that I've seen--just disintegrate. I just deleted mine with no ill affects.

I wouldn't recommend removing the power steering cooler IF you have hydroboost. The power steering fluid is used to operate the hydroboost as well as steer the vehicle, so the fluid gets toasty. Also if you replace the cooler, you have to bleed the power steering system. IMO I would definitely not remove it.

 

[BlueCollarTahoe]

not sure if i have hydroboost....guess ill leave it be for now. how the rest of the setup look? thoughts on the lightbars above/below the tranny cooler? obviously wont be on all the time but think it would mess with the air flow in there?

 

[Dantheman1540]

ID replace the PS cooler with an OEM one they aren't that expensive and not to difficult to swap. If you ever do need a new radiator the Mishimoto after market radiator is super nice I have one and it keeps temps in the 170s.

 

[BlueCollarTahoe]

how can i check if my truck has hydroboost to replace that thing?

also...im having my mechanic do this but to exchange the old fluids with new fluids is the proper way to maintain this? want to keep up with the maintenance on this truck keep it going long as possible. not sure if it was done when i got the truck...ive done everything else at the proper intervals except this and the antifreeze change out..which im also planning to do. just doing the research and thanks for helping a new jack out.

 

[Tonyrodz]

I wouldn't recommend removing the power steering cooler IF you have hydroboost. The power steering fluid is used to operate the hydroboost as well as steer the vehicle, so the fluid gets toasty. Also if you replace the cooler, you have to bleed the power steering system. IMO I would definitely not remove it.

Good call. I don't have it tho.

 

[Tonyrodz]

how can i check if my truck has hydroboost to replace that thing?

Easiest way to tell--does your pwr steering pump have this hose coming off of it on the ds?

If it does, then you have hydroboost.