Radiator Help

1CleanLs

1CleanLs

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The plastic side of my radiator cracked, so I am looking for a replacement. My LS is an '03 V8 with what appears to be a trans cooler in front of the radiator. Is the radiator a pain in the a** to change or pretty easy? Any tips? Couldn't find an article on this. Thanks

Best regards,
Ed
 
Personally I'd say it's a pain in the ass. I did mine ('03 LS8) by myself last fall. I will say that it may have been easier with an extra hand, however I work much better alone. I know there are some threads on the process but quite frankly it's pretty straight forward. You'll be disconnecting and removing the cooling fan assembly, I highly recommend purchasing a 5/16ths racheting wrench for this. You'll also be unbolting and moving the dccv and aux pump if I recall correctly.

Just be sure to pay attention and take your time. Reassemble everything accordingly, first off last on etc. And be sure to follow the bleed out procedure, this is extremely important.

If your radiator is cracking, your other cooling plastics may be too. Before you ever attempt to replace the thermostat, be forwarned that the entire housing and connecting plastics will probably crumble in the process. So purchase your cooling plastics ahead of time. Buy quality, get quality. Go with Motorcraft OEM parts only, or roll the dice with aftermarket. Just know that those dice are loaded and you're set to lose. As for the radiator, I'm yet to hear of aftermarket failures or complaints as opposed to OEM.

I'll post a link to the bleed procedure below, and I'm sure others will chime in to help you with other questions you may have.

http://deneau.info/ls/s6x~us~en~file=s6x33004.htm~gen~ref.htm#extract_142
DON'T SKIMP OUT ON THAT 5/16THS RACHETING WRENCH !!!!!
 
I will be doing a write up in the next week or so on this since I recently completed this job. I believe a lot depends on the idiosyncracies of the particular car. The donor car was easy to to remove the radiator. My LS was a beach. The AC Condenser and the little auxilliary coolant pump got in the way along with the tubing on the driver side going to I think the tranny cooler. You'll also need to move the DCCV out of the way, 1 screw on my 2004 LSV8. Of course the fan has to come out too.

If you still need info keep your eyes open for a post labeled something like "Thoughts on replacing the radiator" in the next week.

BTW, one thing I found really made it easier for access is that there is some plastic cowling under the bumper that blocks and channels air under the radiator. It is held in with two plastic push inserts and there is one plastic ear on each side that fits into a slot on the inside of the bumper. Remove that and you have much more room and visibility. There is also a plastic molding that is unclear in the manual but it is the plastic flat piece that sits across the top of the bumper and goes back horizontally to cover up some of the radiator area for appearance. I think just one bolt thru the Airbag sensor I think and a couple plastic push inserts. Note push in the bullsey and lift the insert out.

Also the auxilliary coolers(AC and tranny) each have 2 bolts(maybe 4 on the AC) up high, down low they have tabs that fit into slots on the radiator if I recall. Remove the bolts and lift up to get those coolers out of the way.

Good Luck,

Jim Henderson
 


1CleanLs said:
... my radiator cracked ... looking for a replacement ... '03 V8
... Couldn't find an article on this ...
Click to expand...



Re&Re Radiator
>> http://deneau.info/ls/s6x~us~en~file=s6x33012.htm~gen~ref.htm


COOLING SYSTEM/RADIATOR & COMPONENTS FOR 2003 LINCOLN LS
>> http://www.tascaparts.com/auto-part...oling-system-cat/radiator-and-components-scat



2003 LS6, LS8

Manufacturer: Ford
Part Number: 6W4Z-8005-AA
Part: RADIATOR
>> http://www.tascaparts.com/lincoln/l...iator-and-components-scat/?part_name=radiator






RockAuto Alternate Vendor ~ best price options
2003 LINCOLN LS 3.9L V8 : Cooling System : Radiator
>> http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/raframecatalog.php?carcode=1416697&parttype=2172


More Price Matching possibilities ~ P/N: 6W4Z-8005-AA
>> http://lmgtfy.com/?q=6W4Z-8005-AA



:p

​
 
Well, I replaced the radiator today, not difficult, just time consuming. Pulled it up after removing the fan, plastic intake piece, DCCV, etc. Did the serpentine belt while there. Total spent on radiator, coolant, 1 hose clamp and serpentine belt: $153 and 3 hrs of my time (included the trip to Autozone for belt and purging the system). Thank you all for the tips/help.
 
LSFrank said:
I'm gonna guess it's an 8mm bolt... 5/16"=7.9375mm
Click to expand...

Yeah, that'd be an 8mm bolt. I'm glad you took the time to make this comment, otherwise the OP may have actually grabbed an American 5/16ths racheting wrench as opposed to a metric 8mm and would have been sol.
 
Ok I have a slight issue....car doesn't overheat or leak and I purged the system but when the car is cold on idle, the car "hiccups". No check engine light, runs perfect when hot....I don't think is a coil because car is not sputtering. I purged until I got the steady stream but I did notice bubbles inside the degas bottle raising from the bottom to the top when the car is up to temp and iddleling....can there be more air in it? Thanks
 
Last edited:
If you have bubbles, you have a leak, but I'm tired of fighting this. I said you'd be back...
 
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