How to Replace the Radiator on a 1998-2003 Dodge Durango

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Owing to factors beyond the control of How to Automotive/Brian Eslick, it cannot guarantee against unauthorized modification of this information, or improper use of this information. How to Automotive/Brian Eslick assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any information contained in this video. How to Automotive/Brian Eslick recommends safe practice when working with power tools, automotive lifts, lifting tools, jacks and jack stands, electrical equipment, blunt instruments, chemical lubricants, or any other tools or equipment seen or implied in this video. Because of factors beyond the control of How to Automotive/Brian Eslick, no information contained in this video shall express or imply warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not How to Automotive/Brain Eslick

[elijon]

I know this post is old but for anyone who runs into the problem of having the condenser bolt strip out (I also had this happen just yesterday) you can unbolt it from the other end of the bracket by taking out the two t20 torx screws. They are hard to get at but it's easier that vacuuming out the freaon. Once they are out you can remove the radiator and worry about getting the stripped bolts out of the radiator with it out of the truck. (mine was so rusted i had to snap the bolt off and then replace it.)

[reydeguerra]

Thank you so much for the video. Fast and to the point. You didn't talk about your dog, what you did yesterday, and basically you didn't go off on tangents.

[kynewulf]

Great video Brian, thanks a ton, even though this job took way more time than I thought, because of lack of special tools, I managed with my big hands and sausage fingers to get the job done. Short tip for anyone; (always clean your bolts and screws with a wire wheel as it makes them easier to thread in those difficult areas on the buttoning back up. I do agree with Delora Hall's comment about the engineers never working on the stuff they designed. I only had to pull my rad because the tab on the drain plug was broken and needed to be replaced. Who is the fricking genius that thought it should be made out of plastic?

[TimSladeDrums]

Extremely helpful video. This video saved my life! One thing for those that never mess with radiators is to fill the radiator at the upper hose with approximately 3 gallons of 50/50.

[snope]

Thanks. You just talked me out of doing this. Looked like an hour job, not worth my time anymore.

[theodorehall]

proof that the engineers never plan on working on what they invent, what a nightmare!

[Cpennington]

THANK YOU. Man I’ve done everything on vehicles but like an idiot, I never thought to remove the upper crossmember/support. Caused a leak in my condenser trying to finagle the radiator out.

[randymiles-jw]

Nice video man. My wife hit a deer and busted the radiator. This will be a big help. Im on a time crunch, but after watching this, I don’t think I want to tackle it in the dark. Lol

[John.e.o]

Brilliant. A constant reference for my own radiator replacement. Thorough and detailed.

[jamesbailey]

Update; with history.
My issues, ovr heating, Turning Heater on full hot medium fan would bring temp down.
Truck had set a majority of her life.
I No visible leaks. I had not driven for long periods.
I figured "throw the tool chest at her.
Pump/ thermo/ all hoses new fluid.
Post all that, she still overheated but not as much.
So by now I'm fearing possible Head gasket.
I figured a professional radiator flush would be worth a try. Fluid looked good No crust build up visible inside or out. Taking out was easier With the above vid.
I found an ole guy who has been strictly the radiator guy for years.
He showed me his knowledge learned test.
He tilted rad "Top inlet higher" and placed garden hose in rad fill hole, place hand on lower and said to time how long it takes to shoot water out the higher inlet. within seconds water gushed out.
He said my rad was 85% blocked.
He also said the rigor he would use to "try" to clean that serious a clogged unit would blow the plastic construction pieces off.
He also told me "if I'm planning on keeping her I should stay away from the cheap Amazon stuff.
SO Napa has one on order:))))
Best; Tom

[benthere]

Great tutorial. I have a new to me 2003 Durango 4.7L SLT 4x4 which is the same exact setup as this that I picked up last week and it had a hole in the condenser. Picked one up at the junk yard for $17 and when I took the old one off of mine, I noticed the front of the radiator was dented in the middle to the point of preventing the electric fan in the back from turning (but I have cold A/C now!). Had I have seen this video before now, I would have went back and got the radiator with the fan attached from the condenser donor Durango, which with your videos help, I will be doing when the junk yard gets another donor vehicle. Thank you so much for telling the size of every nut and bolt so I now know exactly what tools I need to take when I do this job!!! AWESOME! Please make more Durango videos for this model, there are very few as informative as this one on YouTube!

[pauls]

Great video! Very clear and informative. It's nice to see a video that shows the little problems that can occur, and how to fix them (condenser bolts).

[Christy.]

Great video straight to the point. But I think this is one of those jobs, I could easily take it all apart but would forget how to put it back together and end up with several leftover pieces :) Not to mention, I replaced my PCM yesterday and spent about 15 mins trying to take the air intake off before realizing it was a hex bolt (?) at the bottom. And I don't have the right tools for it. Left it on, but just was a PITA not having more room to work with. Guess I'll just suck it up and pay the mechanic to do it.

[RottenSteve]

Followed this video but now my transmission cooler lines have a leak that I can’t stop to save my life. Send help.

[williamwiebe]

this looks like a complete pain in the A and how he does this job without cussing even one time is just as impressive as the radiator being installed

[japano]

Good stuff man saved me a huge ass pain by getting decent tool in advance hah

[AM-nnxn]

great job!! replaced mine thanks to your video.

[DustinHartAM]

Thanks for the video. Doesn't look quite as bad of a job to do as I thought it might be. Unfortunately mine seems to be leaking from the driver side and I haven't been able to determine if it's perhaps a crack in the reservoir or if it's the radiator itself. It's in the 20's outside right now and no garage to work out of so not exactly the most fun time to try and figure it out, muchless do the replacement. I'll have to look through service records and see if the water pump needs changing out too. Really wish this thing would've acted up two months ago before it was freezing outside. Thanks again!

[ronmanfredonia]

Excellent video. Do you have a video on how to release the Freon and recharging?

[aaronkeeth]

crappy Dakota / durango. what a bunch of shi*.this is a 2 day job