DIY Replacing A Radiator in a 2003 Chevy Tahoe, step by step

Radiators break, it just happens, so when they break it's always nice to be able to do it yourself. This is a step by step DIY video showing you how to replace a radiator in a 2001-2006 Chevy Tahoe. There may be some differences from one car to the next but this will get you a feel for how a radiator can be replaced in about any car or truck. :)
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Пікірлер: 65

  • @josephclevel89
    @josephclevel8923 күн бұрын

    Seriously thank you for this video! Took me only 20 minutes to do it following this. You're a real hero!!

  • @KoalityofLife

    @KoalityofLife

    23 күн бұрын

    You're welcome. Glad the video helped and thanks for watching and commenting. :)

  • @RoninDosho
    @RoninDoshoАй бұрын

    I've watched about 5 different videos so far, before I start on my 05 GMC Sierra 5.3 radiator remove and replace. This one is the most concise and well shot video of them all. Thanks

  • @KoalityofLife

    @KoalityofLife

    Ай бұрын

    Thank you, it's nice to hear the video helped out. It always takes longer to do a job when you are trying to show everything but its worth it when you see posts like this. Thanks for watching. :)

  • @626dad
    @626dad Жыл бұрын

    You saved me 450.00 by doing it myself thanks. Mechanic wanted 600.00 to do what you showed me in 30 minutes.

  • @KoalityofLife

    @KoalityofLife

    Жыл бұрын

    Very nice, glad this video helped. :)

  • @bradyjoneswag7
    @bradyjoneswag7 Жыл бұрын

    Best video I’ve seen by far. I’ve been watching videos for 2 hours now. He even took the time at the end of the video to explain the tricky clips. And had the foresight to describe other versions of radiators for different trims and years.

  • @KoalityofLife

    @KoalityofLife

    Жыл бұрын

    Thank you and thanks for watching. :)

  • @xxJaliquexx
    @xxJaliquexxАй бұрын

    U hve inspired me

  • @KoalityofLife

    @KoalityofLife

    Ай бұрын

    Thank you and thanks for watching. :)

  • @rustyengle6342
    @rustyengle63423 ай бұрын

    You are a great instructor for this job. I am very grateful for your service. It is all I need to know to make this job happen without any surprises that I might of missed. 👍🏻

  • @KoalityofLife

    @KoalityofLife

    3 ай бұрын

    Thank you. I'm glad this video helped. Thanks for watching. :)

  • @richrivera92
    @richrivera923 жыл бұрын

    Thank you on all your details. It really helps with the job.

  • @KoalityofLife

    @KoalityofLife

    3 жыл бұрын

    You're welcome. Thanks for watching and feel free to share a video, it helps our channel grow. :)

  • @eatatjoes159
    @eatatjoes1592 жыл бұрын

    Much appreciated! You are very helpful.

  • @KoalityofLife

    @KoalityofLife

    2 жыл бұрын

    You're welcome. Thanks for watching. :)

  • @EdLavature-qv5pb
    @EdLavature-qv5pb9 ай бұрын

    Great tutorial and narrative step by step. Making the job only a matter of time, not drudgery. Things I wasn’t aware of were made known. Sometime ago, I removed the Vortec cover. to allow heat to dissipate, instead of confining it to the engine. Living in arid climates, I advise once vehicle is parked, raise the hood, and allow heat to escape to atmosphere. Expedites cooling down before next drive.

  • @KoalityofLife

    @KoalityofLife

    9 ай бұрын

    Thank you and thanks for watching. :)

  • @ericksmelendez3821
    @ericksmelendez38212 жыл бұрын

    Great video thanks

  • @KoalityofLife

    @KoalityofLife

    2 жыл бұрын

    You're welcome. Thanks for watching. :)

  • @sethflood1545
    @sethflood1545 Жыл бұрын

    Very helpful!

  • @KoalityofLife

    @KoalityofLife

    Жыл бұрын

    Glad it helped. Thanks for watching. :)

  • @archdukeofsynth
    @archdukeofsynth2 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for the tip about the rubber hose on the transmission fluid lines, I was wondering what I was going to do about that to keep them from getting contaminated.

  • @KoalityofLife

    @KoalityofLife

    2 жыл бұрын

    You're welcome. Thanks for watching. :)

  • @garycarter583
    @garycarter5833 жыл бұрын

    Very well done with every step complete. Thanks for making life easier!

  • @KoalityofLife

    @KoalityofLife

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thank you, now if I could just figure out how to own a car without having it break down. lol :)

  • @gregbrown9271
    @gregbrown92713 жыл бұрын

    Nice video mate be very helpful for some money saving people out there 👍

  • @KoalityofLife

    @KoalityofLife

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thank you. Not my usual video but I had to do it so why not share the information. :)

  • @AccuracySpeaks
    @AccuracySpeaks7 ай бұрын

    Great video. My brother cracked a head with that "air bubble" you mentioned working its way through the system just from changing his antifreeze. His truck never got in the "red" hot, nevertheless, it destroyed (cracked) his head. It blew our minds that occurred just from changing his antifreeze and "burping" the system the old-fashioned way. A Chevy mechanic friend of ours said that it is imperative to get all the air out of the system on those heads before you run them up to temperature or they will do that from hot spots in the head from the air bubble. I had never heard of that, although, I'm glad I learned from his very costly mistake! I think the vacuum tool you have is the only way to go on these Chevys!

  • @KoalityofLife

    @KoalityofLife

    7 ай бұрын

    I used to burp systems the old fashioned way but I was always worried about an air bubble somewhere in the system. With the vacuum system I don't have to worry about anything. The piece of mind is worth the cost of the system. Thanks for watching. :)

  • @AccuracySpeaks

    @AccuracySpeaks

    7 ай бұрын

    @@KoalityofLife Absolutely, thanks for sharing!

  • @KoalityofLife

    @KoalityofLife

    7 ай бұрын

    @@AccuracySpeaksYou're welcome. :)

  • @johnhuggins5021
    @johnhuggins50216 күн бұрын

    Do you mind doing a step-by-step How-To for simply changing the radiator fluid on the 2003 Tahoe? Is it necessary to remove all those plastic coverings over or near the radiator to perform what used to be a simple task in much older vehicles? Or does it just make it easier?

  • @KoalityofLife

    @KoalityofLife

    6 күн бұрын

    I no longer have this vehicle but. To change antifreeze is simple on most of these. Most of the radiators on the Tahoes have a petcock (I say most because I have run into a few that don't for whatever reason) at the bottom of the radiator on the passenger side I believe. Make sure your engine is cold. You can slide a little hose over the outlet so the antifreeze doesn't go everywhere and then open the petcock. After its drained close the petcock and fill with new antifreeze. An airlift system is great for filling coolant systems and making sure there isn't any air pockets. If you don't have an airlift system fill your coolant system, reinstall the coolant cap and start the car paying attention the the temp gauge. let the car run until the car is at operation temp without going over. Shut the car off and let it cool off completely, this might take a while. after the car has cooled off open the coolant cap and top off the system. Repeat this process until you no longer have to add any more coolant. Hope this helps. Thanks for watching. :)

  • @chrishardin4220
    @chrishardin42208 ай бұрын

    Thanks. Once you get all the plastic off its not that hard.

  • @KoalityofLife

    @KoalityofLife

    8 ай бұрын

    Pretty simple job really, glad the video helped and thanks for watching. :)

  • @UncleSarkis
    @UncleSarkis3 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for sharing. Is it advised to flush the entire system (including heater core front and/or rear) when installing a new part? I'm trying to figure out the best way to do it without getting anything on the ground.

  • @KoalityofLife

    @KoalityofLife

    3 жыл бұрын

    This is true. Thanks for watching. :)

  • @Ivanskiyyy
    @Ivanskiyyy Жыл бұрын

    I am so glad I ran into your video. what is that hose at 6:32 and 7:03 you are talking about?

  • @KoalityofLife

    @KoalityofLife

    Жыл бұрын

    The thin hose that attaches on the passenger side of the radiator about half way up is a coolant hose that goes to your intake manifold. The lower radiator hose attaches below that and is a lot bigger. All of these hoses have to be removed to remove the radiator. Hope this helps. Thanks for watching. :)

  • @mariothomas7618
    @mariothomas76182 ай бұрын

    I have the same set up for my radio and it's on my 2003 Chevy Tahoe but I have to order mine on line and its a 5.3 liter LS whats the measurements on it

  • @KoalityofLife

    @KoalityofLife

    2 ай бұрын

    Sorry, I don't have this vehicle any more so I can't measure it. :)

  • @OldManFrank
    @OldManFrank2 жыл бұрын

    *I have a 2010 Ford Explorer V8 4X4; it has a mechanical fan and electric fans in the front.*

  • @KoalityofLife

    @KoalityofLife

    2 жыл бұрын

    Seems they doubled up on the air flow on that one. :)

  • @OldManFrank

    @OldManFrank

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@KoalityofLife *It definitely needs it.*

  • @fixitallpaul4847

    @fixitallpaul4847

    Жыл бұрын

    Electric fans might be controlled by the AC

  • @victorreyes2135
    @victorreyes21353 жыл бұрын

    I have a 01chevy tahoe 5.3 ,keeps running very hot at idle like almost maxing out on the temp needle,but it's okay if I drive it or if I hit the gas to raise my rpms to 2000 then keep it their for a sec,and the temperature will begin to cool back down again..... I've replaced the water pump , thermostat, and radiator about 2 maybe 3years ago I also use dexcool any ideas??? Thanks

  • @KoalityofLife

    @KoalityofLife

    3 жыл бұрын

    That's interesting, sounds like you are low on antifreeze, have you checked the level lately? Other than that it could be a circulation problem. :)

  • @YIBUSA

    @YIBUSA

    Жыл бұрын

    Did you find out what was wrong?

  • @xSamoh
    @xSamoh2 жыл бұрын

    Is there a way to add coolant straight to the radiator my hose is leaking and I’m not very car savvy Preciate any advice

  • @KoalityofLife

    @KoalityofLife

    2 жыл бұрын

    Not on this model, but if your hose is leaking it would just leak out no matter where you put coolant in at. :)

  • @xSamoh

    @xSamoh

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@KoalityofLife turned out to be my water pump thanks for the feed back

  • @KoalityofLife

    @KoalityofLife

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@xSamoh You're welcome. :)

  • @user-qv8bi3ts5c
    @user-qv8bi3ts5c11 ай бұрын

    I got a bad leak on a 05 tahoe , I believe it’s from the passenger side after investigating it seems like some one put jb weld on the low transmission lines connecting to the radiator specifically on the fitting connection.. pain in the ass I thought it was engine oil big mess

  • @KoalityofLife

    @KoalityofLife

    11 ай бұрын

    I never liked the JB weld repairs, temporary fix at best. Thanks for watching. :)

  • @ivadahome
    @ivadahome Жыл бұрын

    If I don't have a hose hook what can I use?

  • @KoalityofLife

    @KoalityofLife

    Жыл бұрын

    You can use anything to get under the end of the hose to loosen it up just be careful not to damage the hose. :)

  • @keyboiz916
    @keyboiz916 Жыл бұрын

    Ok I’m curious cause I just replaced my radiator and I was curious what that radiator is in front of that main radiator? I know in front is the trans cooler but what’s the middle one? It’s gonna bug me till I know.

  • @KoalityofLife

    @KoalityofLife

    Жыл бұрын

    It depends on the car or truck as to how many coolers there are up front. On this 2003 Tahoe there is a radiator, then an A/C condenser in front of the radiator and a small 3 inch wide 12 inch tall trans cooler off to one side. I you have a turbo diesel there will be an intercooler out in front of all of that directly behind the grill of the vehicle. Hope this helps. :)

  • @keyboiz916

    @keyboiz916

    Жыл бұрын

    @@KoalityofLife oh ok so mine must be the a/c condenser. I have a 04 Tahoe z71 and I see 3 things. The trans cooler which I plan on replacing and the radiator I just replaced. Also noticed the I think power steering condenser or cooler

  • @KoalityofLife

    @KoalityofLife

    Жыл бұрын

    @@keyboiz916 Yep, the A/C condenser is directly in front of the radiator on your "04 Tahoe and I had forgotten about the power steering cooler being up there too. :)

  • @keyboiz916

    @keyboiz916

    Жыл бұрын

    @@KoalityofLife yea I just changed my radiator today and let me tell ya it was dirty! All the fins were clogged

  • @KoalityofLife

    @KoalityofLife

    Жыл бұрын

    @@keyboiz916 It is amazing how much dirt and debris gets packed into those fins. :)

  • @rickygreenman2016
    @rickygreenman20162 жыл бұрын

    You did not show me how to clips back on

  • @KoalityofLife

    @KoalityofLife

    2 жыл бұрын

    Sorry, if you are talking about the fan shroud, it should just slide back into place. :)