[SeanFromTX]

My 2005's original radiator finally went at the 158,044 mile mark. It cracked in the exact same spot, but this write up saved me $400 in labor. Thanks Bremsen and other contributors.

 

[armadillo]

Thanks for the write up! I'm about to do this on my 05 QX once my Koyo arrives. Does the Armada have a huge cooler blocking the radiator as well? This thing blocks the whole radiator and from the pics I see of the Armada it looks like it's only a small cooler bolted in front of the radiator.

 

[diopena1]

You must mean the AC condenser. It attaches to the Radiator, and the lower front Radiator support via mounting tabs.
Once you get the radiator out, putting it back in, with this damn thing is probably the biggest pain of the process. But, like all things, its an acquired yet patient skill that will help.

I had a harder time pulling the fan shroud until I read the tech manual. Make sure you have enough lighting, and if you can have your smartphone, or tablet handy so you can reference the info compiled here.

Good Luck, and please post pics of the Koyo before you pop that beast in!!!!!

 

[armadillo]

You must mean the AC condenser. It attaches to the Radiator, and the lower front Radiator support via mounting tabs.
Once you get the radiator out, putting it back in, with this damn thing is probably the biggest pain of the process. But, like all things, its an acquired yet patient skill that will help.

I had a harder time pulling the fan shroud until I read the tech manual. Make sure you have enough lighting, and if you can have your smartphone, or tablet handy so you can reference the info compiled here.

Good Luck, and please post pics of the Koyo before you pop that beast in!!!!!

Yep that's it! I google image searched it

So the procedure should be about the same for my QX. I will be sure to post pics of the Koyo and probably some pics of the removal/install.

 

[blackArmada_Dxb]

Yep that's it! I google image searched it

So the procedure should be about the same for my QX. I will be sure to post pics of the Koyo and probably some pics of the removal/install.

Yes, please. Very interested in this since it seems to be a common problem with these trucks.

 

[regdawg]

Sorry I posted this in the general discussions area then found this thread.

I just installed a new radiator today but I have a couple of concerns:

1) My AC doesn't seem to be working, no cool air
2) I noticed the fan, behind the radiator isn't spinning even with the AC on but the temp gauge looks normal. Shouldn't this fan be spinning at all times? (I removed this fan to have more room to take the radiator out. Bad idea???)
3) I hear a hissing noise coming from the drivers side area of the radiator (see pick)
4) I've heard a grinding noise a couple of times I started the car, thinking it could be the fan trying to spin maybe?

Took me about 4 1/2 hours to get the darn thing in and I'm just baffled now with these issues.

Any help is appreciated. I hope I didn't screw up my mada.

 

[diopena1]

Hope you didn't pinch the AC condenser lines.... as for the grinding sound... drivers side?.... weird.

And yes, you did right by removing the fan. I say go over the install, and double check that all the parts are in place properly.
Next, and this may get expensive, take it to get the AC checked out. Either you ran out of freon, or it leaked out without you noticing it.

I'm not a fan of having to replace the radiator on my truck, but had to do it twice, so far without a hitch.

 

[regdawg]

Hope you didn't pinch the AC condenser lines.... as for the grinding sound... drivers side?.... weird.

And yes, you did right by removing the fan. I say go over the install, and double check that all the parts are in place properly.
Next, and this may get expensive, take it to get the AC checked out. Either you ran out of freon, or it leaked out without you noticing it.

I'm not a fan of having to replace the radiator on my truck, but had to do it twice, so far without a hitch.

I hope thats not the case. Is this part of the AC condensor line? Because during the install, my buddy loosen this and noticed it was releasing pressure. We thought it was coolant because green stuff was being released. I believe this is where the hissing may be coming from right now. After driving around to test it yesterday to pressurize the cooling system, came back home and parked turned the engine off and a hissing sound is heard in this general area. My dad suggested that it could have been the air in the cooling system being released due to the pressure since air probably got in when we filled up the coolant.

If low or no Freon is the case, is it hard to recharge the freon? I'm almost betting thats the issue.

 

[armadillo]

Yes, please. Very interested in this since it seems to be a common problem with these trucks.

I removed the fan as suggested in another thread and it made things way easier. I used the closed end of a combo wrench with 6 sides to loosen the 4 bolts so they wouldn't strip. Then I used a ratcheting wrench to get them looser until they were ready to be removed by hand. I had to get 2 from underneath.

I was ready to install my new Koyo but when I unboxed it I discovered one of the lower tabs where the AC condenser sits was broken so now I have to wait for the epoxy to dry (3rd pic).

So another tip for future installs. If your new radiator comes with caps for the tranny cooler inlet and outlet then you can just take those off and put them on your old radiator to stop the dripping.

 

[diopena1]

wow, you actually pulled the tranny cooler out.... Not bad. makes the install a bit easier actually..

 

[armadillo]

wow, you actually pulled the tranny cooler out.... Not bad. makes the install a bit easier actually..

Yeah I followed the directions from titantalk. It wasn't mentioned but one step was to remove all lines from the radiator and then there was a pic of the radiator and tranny cooler out together.

I think the hardest part for me was getting those 4 nuts started that hold the fan to the water pump when I was reinstalling it.

 

[blackArmada_Dxb]

I removed the fan as suggested in another thread and it made things way easier. I used the closed end of a combo wrench with 6 sides to loosen the 4 bolts so they wouldn't strip. Then I used a ratcheting wrench to get them looser until they were ready to be removed by hand. I had to get 2 from underneath.

I was ready to install my new Koyo but when I unboxed it I discovered one of the lower tabs where the AC condenser sits was broken so now I have to wait for the epoxy to dry (3rd pic).

So another tip for future installs. If your new radiator comes with caps for the tranny cooler inlet and outlet then you can just take those off and put them on your old radiator to stop the dripping.

Thanks and repped you for posting.

 

[5150ds]

Any benefit of koyo over stock?

 

[regdawg]

Any benefit of koyo over stock?

I think Koyo is all metal? I purchased a CSF radiator locally because couldn't wait to have my mada back on the road. Temps in my area are 100+ degrees and the CSF has been great so far, no issues. Have kept a close eye on the temp gauges and all are where they are suppose to be.

 

[armadillo]

Any benefit of koyo over stock?

I think Koyo is all metal? I purchased a CSF radiator locally because couldn't wait to have my mada back on the road. Temps in my area are 100+ degrees and the CSF has been great so far, no issues. Have kept a close eye on the temp gauges and all are where they are suppose to be.

It costs less and the plastic end tanks feel stronger than the OEM ones so we'll see how well it holds up.

The one I installed looked almost identical to the OEM with plastic end tanks.

 

[blackArmada_Dxb]

I've heard that Stillen aluminum radiator is the best

 

[E&J push'n wind]

I hope thats not the case. Is this part of the AC condensor line? Because during the install, my buddy loosen this and noticed it was releasing pressure. We thought it was coolant because green stuff was being released. I believe this is where the hissing may be coming from right now. After driving around to test it yesterday to pressurize the cooling system, came back home and parked turned the engine off and a hissing sound is heard in this general area. My dad suggested that it could have been the air in the cooling system being released due to the pressure since air probably got in when we filled up the coolant.

If low or no Freon is the case, is it hard to recharge the freon? I'm almost betting thats the issue.

regdawg,

I don't know if anyone has answered your question on this but yep! That there is a pressure fitting for the AC system. I ain't no AC professional but I'd take it to a shop that could evacuate the AC system and then recharge it. While your are at it, I'd have them replace the dryer as well since you breached it. You may be able to get away with just a recharge but if your AC system doesn't perform to your satisfaction, you will in the end, end up having to do this anyway. Just a thought FWIW.

 

[diopena1]

Had to re-do the damn radiator again!!!:censor::censor::censor::censor::censor:... stupid plastic tanks cracked again, so.... I called Stillen, $385 later (free shipping)... I had a Big chunk of Aluminum sitting at home.

Well, after a good 3 hour fight, out with the old radiator (actually 7 months old), in with the new, added about half a gallon more coolant since this one is 3 rows instead of 2. Had to move my intake inward a bit, might have to cut some of the fan shroud to compensate for this. The stillen radiator is thicker than the stock one.

Good news is that with the new model radiator lines up with all the peripherals (AC condenser, and external transmission cooler), it takes some massaging, but, it fits.
My hoses were good, but its suggested you swap them out (minimize the headaches later).
Now, I'm going to test this, and hopefully not get any leaks for a looooooooong time.

 

[blackArmada_Dxb]

You should have bought the koyo all aluminum radiator. Its far better than the Stillen and most consider it a lifetime replacement.

 

[Lotastyle]

It has been my experience that even with the crappy clamps being replaced with worm gear clamps that they loosen over time and allow some transmission fluid to leak or spew. This has happened when pulling heavy loads and upon inspection and re-tightening of the worm gear clamps (loose) that the radiator was not leaking. Upon doing this work and completely cleaning the guard underneath the engine, no additional trans fluid leaked. I topped off what leaked out on all occasions and ran for hundreds of miles, and have yet to replace the factory radiator on my 2007 Armada LE with 101k miles. The radiator may eventually fail, but the connections have persistently been the reasons for my trans fluid leaks.

Regards,
Lotastyle