How hard is it to change the radiator? Hoping I can do it myself?


I was fixing my fan wire on my truck (see my signature) and looks like I may have somehow put a hole in the radiator?....it appears to be leaking right in the middle.

Years ago they used to just cut off the area/tube that was leaking, can they still do that? Do I need a new radiator?

I am 500 miles from home in Sacramento taking care of my dad who just had heart surgery and mom who needs 100% care.
Can anybody help or make any recommendations??

Thanks!!!

 

Sorry to hear about your folks, that's a tough thing to deal with.

I never heard of isolating the leak. Might not be a good idea for a diesel. I suspect the labor for that would be very near the cost of an OEM radiator.

 

Is it very hard to remove/replace the radiator?
I had the bottom shroud off today and the top shroud pretty much off but could not get the overflow reservoir out! Looked like several hoses need to be removed to get it out.

 

If you havent done this before, You will need to disconect the transmisson cooler, and possibley the oil cooler ( I don't own a ctd) I'm not blessed with dexterity, but I would not be afraid to tackel this...

You need to drain the coolant, remove upper and lower rad hose's, taking pictures before you start will help you get a ideal on how to put it all back togethier..

I replaced the water pump on my hemi my self, I did not take out teh rad, but pretty much had fun with the fan shourd, pullys ect..

Doing it your self will cut the job in half (labor) But, You can't yell at your self!

If the fins in the rad are leaking, you need a new rad, stop leak from bars, presstone, ect will buy some time, but water pump and head gasket, and cooked engine is not worth nickel and diming.

If you stuck in a parking lot, it's worth finding a rad shop and having them do it, I would never go anywere near a dodge dealer..