I have a 98 Wrangler 4 cylinder.. the radiator is leaking all along the top
(it is plastic). How easy is replacement if I do it myself?
I found replacement aftermarket for $160.00(OEM), and a all metal one for
$185.00 at radiators.com. The dealership wants $400.00 for the job. Any
input would be appreciated!.

Thanks Scott

 

Pretty easy job. Drain the coolant, disconnect the auto tranny coolant
lines (if you have an auto), diconnect the hoses, out it comes. Getting
the large lines off might be a bit of a problem, they tend to glue them
selves on after a while.

This might be a good time to clean and flush the whole cooling system.
Buy some coling system flush at the auto parts store, follow directions.
Typically you dump the stuff in, run the engine for 10 minutes, then
drain it out. Replace the coolant with fresh antifreeze (the regular
full strength type) diluted to 50/50 with distilled water. Or buy the
premixed stuff and pour it in.

JEEP wrote:
> I have a 98 Wrangler 4 cylinder.. the radiator is leaking all along the top
> (it is plastic). How easy is replacement if I do it myself?
> I found replacement aftermarket for $160.00(OEM), and a all metal one for
> $185.00 at radiators.com. The dealership wants $400.00 for the job. Any
> input would be appreciated!.
>
> Thanks Scott
>
>

 

Pretty easy job. Drain the coolant, disconnect the auto tranny coolant
lines (if you have an auto), diconnect the hoses, out it comes. Getting
the large lines off might be a bit of a problem, they tend to glue them
selves on after a while.

This might be a good time to clean and flush the whole cooling system.
Buy some coling system flush at the auto parts store, follow directions.
Typically you dump the stuff in, run the engine for 10 minutes, then
drain it out. Replace the coolant with fresh antifreeze (the regular
full strength type) diluted to 50/50 with distilled water. Or buy the
premixed stuff and pour it in.

JEEP wrote:
> I have a 98 Wrangler 4 cylinder.. the radiator is leaking all along the top
> (it is plastic). How easy is replacement if I do it myself?
> I found replacement aftermarket for $160.00(OEM), and a all metal one for
> $185.00 at radiators.com. The dealership wants $400.00 for the job. Any
> input would be appreciated!.
>
> Thanks Scott
>
>

 

Pretty easy job. Drain the coolant, disconnect the auto tranny coolant
lines (if you have an auto), diconnect the hoses, out it comes. Getting
the large lines off might be a bit of a problem, they tend to glue them
selves on after a while.

This might be a good time to clean and flush the whole cooling system.
Buy some coling system flush at the auto parts store, follow directions.
Typically you dump the stuff in, run the engine for 10 minutes, then
drain it out. Replace the coolant with fresh antifreeze (the regular
full strength type) diluted to 50/50 with distilled water. Or buy the
premixed stuff and pour it in.

JEEP wrote:
> I have a 98 Wrangler 4 cylinder.. the radiator is leaking all along the top
> (it is plastic). How easy is replacement if I do it myself?
> I found replacement aftermarket for $160.00(OEM), and a all metal one for
> $185.00 at radiators.com. The dealership wants $400.00 for the job. Any
> input would be appreciated!.
>
> Thanks Scott
>
>

 

RoyJ did pass the time by typing:
> Pretty easy job. Drain the coolant, disconnect the auto tranny coolant
> lines (if you have an auto), diconnect the hoses, out it comes. Getting
> the large lines off might be a bit of a problem, they tend to glue them
> selves on after a while.
>
> This might be a good time to clean and flush the whole cooling system.
> Buy some coling system flush at the auto parts store, follow directions.
> Typically you dump the stuff in, run the engine for 10 minutes, then
> drain it out. Replace the coolant with fresh antifreeze (the regular
> full strength type) diluted to 50/50 with distilled water. Or buy the
> premixed stuff and pour it in.

Like RoyJ says, it's easy. Not had to replace the one in my ZJ yet but
I did have it out to do the harmonic balancer.

You need a couple of rubber plugs/caps to keep the tranny fluid from
draining all over the place.

--
DougW

 

RoyJ did pass the time by typing:
> Pretty easy job. Drain the coolant, disconnect the auto tranny coolant
> lines (if you have an auto), diconnect the hoses, out it comes. Getting
> the large lines off might be a bit of a problem, they tend to glue them
> selves on after a while.
>
> This might be a good time to clean and flush the whole cooling system.
> Buy some coling system flush at the auto parts store, follow directions.
> Typically you dump the stuff in, run the engine for 10 minutes, then
> drain it out. Replace the coolant with fresh antifreeze (the regular
> full strength type) diluted to 50/50 with distilled water. Or buy the
> premixed stuff and pour it in.

Like RoyJ says, it's easy. Not had to replace the one in my ZJ yet but
I did have it out to do the harmonic balancer.

You need a couple of rubber plugs/caps to keep the tranny fluid from
draining all over the place.

--
DougW

 

RoyJ did pass the time by typing:
> Pretty easy job. Drain the coolant, disconnect the auto tranny coolant
> lines (if you have an auto), diconnect the hoses, out it comes. Getting
> the large lines off might be a bit of a problem, they tend to glue them
> selves on after a while.
>
> This might be a good time to clean and flush the whole cooling system.
> Buy some coling system flush at the auto parts store, follow directions.
> Typically you dump the stuff in, run the engine for 10 minutes, then
> drain it out. Replace the coolant with fresh antifreeze (the regular
> full strength type) diluted to 50/50 with distilled water. Or buy the
> premixed stuff and pour it in.

Like RoyJ says, it's easy. Not had to replace the one in my ZJ yet but
I did have it out to do the harmonic balancer.

You need a couple of rubber plugs/caps to keep the tranny fluid from
draining all over the place.

--
DougW