Thanks for this step by step, Any chance you may know where I can find a video of this?
Radiator replacement on a '02 Odyssey
2
Hey guys and gals,
I was digging through my vast collection of random documents for my old '02 Ody (yes, I save a copy of parts receipts, DIY articles and other relevant paperwork for previous vehicles of mine. My wife thinks I'm nuts but I'd like to view myself as sentimental
D) and came across a Do-It-Yourself walk-through I used to replace the radiator on a '02. So naturally I thought it'd be a good idea to transcribe this walk-through into this thread!
1) Note the anti-theft code for the radio and then disconnect the negative battery cable, then disconnect the positive battery cable and remove the battery.
2) Drain the coolant into a sealable container by loosening the radiator drain plug.
3) Remove the upper radiator trim cover by carefully prying out the two piece pressed in plastic fasteners.
4) Remove the wire harness holder next to the stamped Y-shaped support bracket located just behind the grill.
5) Remove the bolts that secure the stamped Y-shaped support bracket, and remove the bracket.
6) Disconnect the wire harness guides from the battery tray.
7) Remove the ground strap and the relay box bracket from the battery tray.
8) Remove the battery tray mounting bolts and remove the battery tray.
9) Remove the wire harness holders from the upper radiator support, and detach the electrical connectors for the cooling fan motors and air conditioning compressor clutch.
10) Remove the upper and lower radiator hoses.
11) Place a separate sealable drain container under the transaxle Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) cooling lines, then disconnect, drain and plug the lines and radiator fittings.
12) Remove the upper radiator support bracket/cushion and condenser bracket assembly.
13) Remove the upper cooling fan shroud mounting bolts, and loosen the lower bolts for both cooling fans, and remove the fan assemblies from the battery side of the vehicle.
14) Disconnect the coolant overflow reservoir hose from the radiator cap fitting.
15) Carefully lift the radiator upward and away from the vehicle.
16) If the radiator is being replaced, remove the metal ATF cooler line and transfer parts as needed.
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**diagrams courtesy of hondapartsnow.com; all rights reserved.
To install:
1) Install the radiator, cooling fans, wires, brackets and battery support in the reverse order of disassembly.
2) Install the positive battery cable, then connect the negative battery cable.
3) Set the heater to the full hot position.
4) Fill the cooling system with a 50/50 mixture of a suitable coolant and water and bleed the air out of the system as necessary. Alternately squeeze the upper and lower radiator hoses to help force out any trapped air pockets.
That's the extent of the walk-through. Hope this helps someone out there!
I was digging through my vast collection of random documents for my old '02 Ody (yes, I save a copy of parts receipts, DIY articles and other relevant paperwork for previous vehicles of mine. My wife thinks I'm nuts but I'd like to view myself as sentimental
D) and came across a Do-It-Yourself walk-through I used to replace the radiator on a '02. So naturally I thought it'd be a good idea to transcribe this walk-through into this thread! 1) Note the anti-theft code for the radio and then disconnect the negative battery cable, then disconnect the positive battery cable and remove the battery.
2) Drain the coolant into a sealable container by loosening the radiator drain plug.
3) Remove the upper radiator trim cover by carefully prying out the two piece pressed in plastic fasteners.
4) Remove the wire harness holder next to the stamped Y-shaped support bracket located just behind the grill.
5) Remove the bolts that secure the stamped Y-shaped support bracket, and remove the bracket.
6) Disconnect the wire harness guides from the battery tray.
7) Remove the ground strap and the relay box bracket from the battery tray.
8) Remove the battery tray mounting bolts and remove the battery tray.
9) Remove the wire harness holders from the upper radiator support, and detach the electrical connectors for the cooling fan motors and air conditioning compressor clutch.
10) Remove the upper and lower radiator hoses.
11) Place a separate sealable drain container under the transaxle Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) cooling lines, then disconnect, drain and plug the lines and radiator fittings.
12) Remove the upper radiator support bracket/cushion and condenser bracket assembly.
13) Remove the upper cooling fan shroud mounting bolts, and loosen the lower bolts for both cooling fans, and remove the fan assemblies from the battery side of the vehicle.
14) Disconnect the coolant overflow reservoir hose from the radiator cap fitting.
15) Carefully lift the radiator upward and away from the vehicle.
16) If the radiator is being replaced, remove the metal ATF cooler line and transfer parts as needed.
**diagrams courtesy of hondapartsnow.com; all rights reserved.
To install:
1) Install the radiator, cooling fans, wires, brackets and battery support in the reverse order of disassembly.
2) Install the positive battery cable, then connect the negative battery cable.
3) Set the heater to the full hot position.
4) Fill the cooling system with a 50/50 mixture of a suitable coolant and water and bleed the air out of the system as necessary. Alternately squeeze the upper and lower radiator hoses to help force out any trapped air pockets.
That's the extent of the walk-through. Hope this helps someone out there!
1 - 13 of 13 Posts
rkpatt,
I had a very frustrating time changing the radiator on my 03. I tried the battery tray route and couldn't get that damn bolt loose under the battery tray and the mosquitoes were killing me and my 'temper and patience' was at its limits. :ahh:
The spring clamps were not tooooooo bad and I only used pliers, not special ones.
The next day I tried the bumper and headlight removal method and it finally went pretty well. Don't know why Honda made it so damn difficult to remove and install the radiator.
Course, if I had to do it all over again it would be much faster and less trying.
I used that cardboard trick and it helped a lot. If one of my radiator fans fails, I might try to get that battery tray bolt loose.
I also wish radiators would have their flow rate listed and the OEM flow rate for comparison purposes.
Do double core radiators have an improved flow rate (gpm) or just more surface for cooling. Anyone??
Don't forget to keep checking your overflow tank for the proper level as it is difficult to get all the air out the first time.
If you haven't ever changed your radiator cap, it would be a good preventive maintenance thing to do. I put a Stant cap on my new radiator and later bought a OEM one (Stant was working fine) and it didn't fit my replacement radiator, so I am now using that Stant and it is fine. i may have to file the lip on the radiator or file the tang on the OEM to get it to fit, but that will be later.
Buffalo4
PS: I was working by myself and running out of beer. :ahh:
I had a very frustrating time changing the radiator on my 03. I tried the battery tray route and couldn't get that damn bolt loose under the battery tray and the mosquitoes were killing me and my 'temper and patience' was at its limits. :ahh:
The spring clamps were not tooooooo bad and I only used pliers, not special ones.
The next day I tried the bumper and headlight removal method and it finally went pretty well. Don't know why Honda made it so damn difficult to remove and install the radiator.
Course, if I had to do it all over again it would be much faster and less trying.
I used that cardboard trick and it helped a lot. If one of my radiator fans fails, I might try to get that battery tray bolt loose.
I also wish radiators would have their flow rate listed and the OEM flow rate for comparison purposes.
Do double core radiators have an improved flow rate (gpm) or just more surface for cooling. Anyone??
Don't forget to keep checking your overflow tank for the proper level as it is difficult to get all the air out the first time.
If you haven't ever changed your radiator cap, it would be a good preventive maintenance thing to do. I put a Stant cap on my new radiator and later bought a OEM one (Stant was working fine) and it didn't fit my replacement radiator, so I am now using that Stant and it is fine. i may have to file the lip on the radiator or file the tang on the OEM to get it to fit, but that will be later.
Buffalo4
PS: I was working by myself and running out of beer. :ahh:
1 - 13 of 13 Posts
