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Could be one of a few things, but the most common and first consideration would involve a badly ruptured radiator hose which is leaking onto a hot exhaust system. Its should not be that difficult to isolate the hose and replace it, refill your radiator with the proper anti-freeze/water mix appropriate to your geographical area and take it from there. If it's leaking that badly, it almost has to be a hose, or more than one, or perhaps the radiator itself. . . this doesn't sound like, on the surface anyway a serious, expensive fix - even if it is the radiator itself.
What is the problem exactly?
If the radiator itself is not the source of the coolant leak why do you want to remove it from the vehicle?
You will certainly be able to locate the leak if it is from the radiator unit itself and in that event you will need to replace it.
If you have a leaking radiator hose or the hose is too loose on the bottom radiator neck then you replace the hose or tighten the hose clamp if it is the adjustable type.
If the radiator hoses connected to the radiator are the 2003 originals then they will definitely be well passed their use by date and should be replaced in any event.
It could be in one of the hose's or it can be your radiator itself . Also check were the hose meets the engine block you could have a bad thermostat gasket.
CAR OVERHEATING FIRST CHECK FOR LOW COOLANT IN THE RADIATOR COOLANT OVERFLOW JUG.IF COOLANT LEVEL IN OVERFLOW JUG LOW REFILL ADD COOLANT BACK TO THE FULL COLD MARK.PUT RADAITOR CAP ON COOLANT OVERFLOW JUG START ENGINE LET IT IDLE UNTIL IT OPERATING TEMPERATURE.MAKE SURE TOP RADIATOR HOSE GETTING HOT WHILE ENGINE WARM UP.IF TOP RADIATOR HOSE DONT GET HOT WHILE ENGINE IDLING YOUR THERMOSTAT COULD BE STUCK CLOSE CAUSING CAR TO OVERHEAT.IF TOP HOSE IS GETTING HOT.CHECK FOR COOLANT LEAKS CHECK TOP RADIATOR HOSE AND BOTTOM RADIATOR HOSE FOR LEAKS.CHECK FOR LEAKS AT THE RADIATOR CORES AND PLASTIC SIDE CONTAINERS.IF ALL IS GOOD ENGINE OVERHEATING WHILE IN A LONG TRAFFIC LINE, COOLANT FANS NOT COMING ON.COULD HAVE FAULTY ENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATURE SENSOR OR BLOWN COOLING FAN FUSE OR RELAY.COULD HAVE PCM FAULT.MAKE COOLING FAN ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS AND WIRING NOT DAMAGE OR BROKEN.
SMOKE UNDER HOOD COULD BE COOLANT LEAK FROM RADIATOR ITSELF OR CHECK FOR LEAKING TOP RADIATOR HOSE AND CHECK FOR LEAKING BOTTOM RADIATOR HOSE.LOOK UNDER THE HOOD IF COOLANT BOILING OUT COOLANT OVERFLOW JUG ENGINE OVERHEATING FROM BAD THERMOSTAT OR BAD WATER PUMP.CHECK FOR COOLANT LEAK AT WATER PUMP WEEP HOLE.IF SO WATER PUMP NEED REPLACING.ADD MORE COOLANT UNTIL LEVEL CORRECT.TRY LOCATE LEAK. IF CAR OVERHEATED AND BOILED IT OUT. SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD CAN ALSO BE CAUSED BY LEAKING VALVE COVERS WHICH CAN BE FIRE HAZARD IF OIL LEAKS ON HOT EXHAUST MANIFOLD.
on radiator at bottom it's left side at bottom (face the car)is drain plug loosen to let some of coolant out dont have to drain all of it (gallon or so)
follow top hose to engine at end of hose will be thermosat housing it be 2 bolt's holding it on (1/2 inch socket )
before taking out bolt's take clamp off of hose & pull hose off.
now take bolt's out
lift housing off
look at how thermostat is in
take out thermostat dicard
clean gasket off of housing & engine block
put sealer on block & put thermostat in (same way came out)
put gasket on block & put thermostat housing on ,put bolt's in ,tigthen bolt's (20 flbs)
put hose on & tigthen clamp
close drain plug & titghen
top off radiator with coolant
crank engine , tpo off w/more coolant if need it ,let it run & come to temperture ,top off radiator again ,because when the thermostat open's coolant will begin to flow ,when full put cap on radiator ............DONE
Turn off the engine as soon as you suspect a leak, to prevent the engine from overheating.
2
Determine which radiator hose is leaking and exactly where the leak is coming from by looking for wetness.
3
Purchase 1 gallon of antifreeze and the correct replacement radiator hose from your local auto-parts store or dealer. (Radiator hoses are not interchangeable. They come in specific sizes and shapes for your particular car model.)
4
Wait for the engine to cool down for at least 20 minutes, before beginning any work on the cooling system.
5
Place a large pan or wide bucket on the ground under the hose to catch the coolant.
6
Use a screwdriver to loosen the hose clamps at both ends of the hose you are replacing.
7
Remove the radiator hose by twisting and pulling where it
connects to the radiator and engine. If the hose won't budge, use a
utility knife to cut it off the fittings.
8
Remove the hose clamps from the old radiator hose and slide them onto the new hose.
9
Put the new radiator hose on. Spray the inside of the hose
ends with WD-40 if the hose is hard to get on. Tighten the hose clamps.
10
Refill the radiator and the coolant reservoir with a 50-50 mixture of water and antifreeze.
11
"Burp the cooling system" by running the engine with the
radiator cap off until the engine warms up. Keep the engine running
until both the upper and lower radiator hoses feel warm (this indicates
that the thermostat is open and the coolant is flowing through the
entire system). Burping the cooling system allows any air bubbles to
escape. Add coolant to the radiator as needed.
12
Look for leaks. Inspect around the hose clamps for dampness. Tighten the hose clamps if there is any wetness.
13
Put the radiator cap back on.
14
Check the coolant level after driving, to ensure there are no leaks
dont know i cant see from here.
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