Bad Idea? Will it Survive?? 2005 Chevy Cobalt 2.2

Dual Destruction! Can they be Saved?? • Dual Destruction! Can ...
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[@automedicine]

Wife unit is getting more comfortable each day and you don't know how much it means to us to see the interactions between the two of you.. may go bless you and your family abundantly and wishing you great success in your business journey.

[@jaykellett2327]

When you are starting your own business, the help of family and friends to get it off the ground and up and flying is essential. Big THANKS! to all your helpers Ray. Taking breaks, when encountering challenging issues is a good trick. You come back at it refreshed, and with a new perspective.

[@KensSmallEngineRepair]

Wow! Wife Unit assisting with repairs!!! She’s a keeper for sure!!! You’re a lucky man!

[@timd1833]

At 6:34, Lauren looks like Phoebe Buffay (Lisa Kudrow) from "FRIENDS".

[@wolvenar]

Yes I agree he is very lucky. Hopefully they are both lucky to have each other.

[@vincentgotter4669]

There are a few channels that have that family vibe. Ray's is definitely one of them.

[@groosbro1]

The wife unit is assisting with the new business venture. Waiting for Ray to build a kitchen, like South Main Auto, then it really will be a family business.

[@mellpell-ub7is]

Can you tell me if you can use brake fluid under the hood. I seen ray use it several times. yes or no,

[@tomasrosalesr]

I really like this type of videos... They're a more realistic approach to every day repairs, with budget constraints and all 👍🏻

[@buttsexandbananapeels]

The determination and knowledge of Ray on his repairs lends credence to living life by the philosophy: “no such thing as problems, only solutions.

[@Anonymous99997]

What makes me appreciate Ray is his experience, his knowledge, his patience, his humor, and his TOOLS. He always has exactly what he needs for the job at hand. Snap-on must love this guy. 😂

[@aaronbritt2025]

My Snap-On guy gives me free gifts all the time. I got a free winter jacket when I bought my $7k scan tool.

[@Bushougoma]

@@aaronbritt2025 Of course he did you're putting his kids through college 😀

[@aaronbritt2025]

@@Bushougoma He doesn't have kids. I paid for his boat.

[@dennisal1481]

@Aaron Britt if you're getting free stuff, you know you paid way too much.

[@aaronbritt2025]

@@dennisal1481 Not really. My tools make money and at the time I could write off my tool purchases. Trump's tax reform got rid of that write off though.

[@aaronbritt2025]

Just a suggestion... In your video titles, you should include words that mention the parts your replacing and the model of car. This will make your videos more searchable and will probably get you more views and subscribers. Example, this video should be "Bad Idea! Will it survive? Chevy Cobalt 2.2 radiator". Now anyone looking for a "how to" on replacing their Cobalt radiator will find your video.

[@user-ds6uc2hx3f]

Wow a window that rolls down using a handle, haven’t seen that in ages…..lol

[@Grendelbc]

It's gonna be interesting to see what things look like when you drop the trans pan.

[@ernestmccollum2397]

It's just going to be milky looking. Been there done that. My truck only last several mths after same thing happened. Cleaned and flushed. Water damages clutches

[@wonniewarrior]

@@ernestmccollum2397 Mines did it. Trans fluid was black from the milkshake effect. They flushed it 3 times as the clutch packs are hydroscopic ? and 1 drop of water would cause drama. Been 6 years and 100,000+ kms since then and still going. Key is to get to it early. Side note - the Ford mechanics said the trans operated at a higher internal pressure than the radiator - so the only time it was in danger was when the car turned off and cooled down. Then the trans would draw the coolant in through the busted lines in the radiator.

[@keenobservations3050]

did you mean trannies Pants? We will all pass

[@ernestmccollum2397]

@@wonniewarrior yes it depends when you get it. Unfortunately with mine I didn't know until I was driving on the highway and the transmission was acting up. I took it home check the transmission fluid and it basically looked like Pepto bismol. Flushed it changed the fluid took it over to a shop flushed it completely and only lasted about 6 months

[@pastyman3247]

Man that looked nasty, but good job as usual 👍

[@kennycashedout2147]

As a Gm tech, I have seen many of those I did the same thing you did and they turned out fine good luck

[@iamalittlepepper]

The owner must have serious attachment to the car! Thanks for showing us all your hard work Ray!

[@jeffreylane2967]

Probably enough attachment to fix and sell or trade in

[@felix2uber200]

or lack of money

[@williamallen7836]

Try buying a car lately? Not the easiest, or least costly option anymore. After WW2 the Brits called it, mend & make do.

[@Not_Ferrari]

Florida just went through a hurricane with major flooding that would have pretty much destroyed the supply of decent used cars for reasonable prices in that area. It's likely (based on the fact that they still drive a Cobalt) the owner simply cannot afford another car right now, so take your chances with the repair and hope it lasts long enough for prices to normalise again.

[@williamallen7836]

@@Not_Ferrari Exactly. Used cars are expensive everywhere right now as well. I got super lucky and found a 2009 Impreza for $2500 at an estate sale, to use for a winter car here in the NE. It needed a few hundred in parts, but it was still less then a same year/make with more milage that needs no repairs. Fortunetly it was repairs I could do. So I saved on labor. I needed to stop driving my 1968 F100 in the snow so I can start rebuilding it in the spring.

[@marinkop5934]

Hey Mr Ray, something we do in Australia to flush cooling system which have been mixed with engine oil or transmission fluid when a cooler or seal has failed. I use front loader washing machine power. 1 scoop, run till thermostat opens then do a complete flush of the cooling system with water and repeat the process a 2nd time. After the flush with water a 2nd time I add my coolant. Normally change top and bottom radiator hoses as the oil tends to soften the rubber. Cheers Marinko from Sydney

[@j_wz6818]

Makes perfect sense.

[@davidd1492]

Exactly what we do in our workshop. The milkshake is a common problem on the Australian fords from 2004 to 16.

[@fiskfarm]

I really like it. Great advice. Haven't run into it yet but I'll remember this if I do. 👍😎👌🇺🇸

[@loubakker5000]

By power you mean powder or liquid ?

[@brainndamage]

@@loubakker5000 i don't think it matters as long as it's detergent or degreaser

[@Rekuzan]

DEFINITELY need a scrap metal bin! Although, if that's too expensive or too much of a pain, you can always find a local scrapper to drop by like once a month or something because that'd definitely be worth it!

[@markhulse7940]

Impressive the thinking to use the Torx tool to wind out the broken Schrader type valve. Your competence, e.g. ‘the point where experience and knowledge come together’ just shines through all your videos, but that out of the box thinking to solve your broken valve issue is priceless and why you are a master at your craft. Always enjoyable to watch you enlighten us mere mortals. Simply Brilliant. Thank you Ray, you make my day.

[@SeersantLoom]

Torx is good for those rounded off inner hex/allen bolts too. Hammer it in, pray and turn.

[@rbilardo47]

It was his wife's suggestion, I heard her in the background.

[@jezeski2011]

@@rbilardo47 I went back and cranked up the volume, with headphones, and listened multiple times. You must be hearing things because his wife never said a word about any thing when he decided to use the torx bit

[@rbilardo47]

@@jezeski2011 Dude I was joking lol

[@mrheart4242]

I'd like to see the tank popped or cut off to see the expansion of the cooler. See how much it expanded befor popping. Also you can take the old fitting from the radiator and use them to make a blow out tool for the trans lines. Probably should have put the fans on while it was out. Kinda install and remove as a assembly.

[@hoseman1]

Another good video, I hope the Cobalt can be saved, good to see the Wife Unit hard at work, remember that teamwork makes the dream work.

[@Operator713]

I'm a little surprised you didn't attach the fan to the cooling package so it all went in as one unit.

[@mototakahe836]

Absolutely great to see your lovely lady helping you in your frustated moments, with the most uncooperative vehicle I have seen on your videos. Great work team.

[@dreadrechsler8278]

Really enjoyed your struggle with this one. To me, the best thing is how you don't lose your cool and keep a sense of humor long after I'd have damaged things forcing the fan out. One thing that I wondered though...couldn't you have just bypassed the bad heat exchanger in the radiator to flush out the tranny and operate it a bit to see if it's worth saving first? Then make the decision on whether the pain and expense of replacing the radiator and fan is worth it.

[@damienvillano4044]

I don't think that would be a wise decision because you lose the cooling properties. And heat is a killer for transmissions, hence the fluid passing through the radiator.

[@donsrestorations]

I haven't watched this whole video yet (up to 33:02) but that engine needs to be completely flushed, incliding the heater core. It is a lot easier to do this when the NEW radiator is out of it. You don't want that gunky stuff fouling anything new. Been there done that!!

[@joolsgrudgings5776]

Nice Video - the best way I have found to get oil contamination out of a cooling system is to crumble up a couple of dishwasher tabs then dissolve them into a litre of water, and add it to the rest of the cooling system you've previously filled with regular water (no coolant at this stage). Run the engine up to temperature, drain and repeat if necessary. Once you're confident all the oil residue has gone ( at may typically take 2-3 cycles ) fill the cooling system with the coolant of your choice. - merry xmas.....

[@pitchforkpeasant6219]

How about dawn dish soap. Worked great at mopping up the slab after oil spillage mixed with hot water. Use it to clean my flintlock too. Have to oil that up afterwards obviously

[@stevewells1182]

Ray I have used cascade dishwasher soap to clean contaminated cooling systems . works really good just run for about 1/2 hr after irs up to temp. then water flush it a couple of times. Ive done this on several autos ,class a trucks and heavy equiptment..

[@benny85361983]

I was just gonna said that's what we do with the 18 wheelers when oil cooler pops

[@Odayian420]

I'm shocked you put that new radiator anywhere near that before doing all the flushes and getting all that old crap out.

[@chrissmithz314]

x2

[@davekube3189]

First thing I do on these is remove the front and rear torque mount screw(s) so the engine rocks/tilts back... Easy access to the torque mount screws... Also... I made a radiator hose adapter to hose connection with barbed fitting and a threaded hose connection to flush the core and cylinder head... Works great for getting all the pressure where you want it...

[@hdfxrs9121]

Yes, allowing the engine to rock or tilt forward is useful for changing plugs on transverse V6 engines as well. Especially Chevys.

[@martincolleran7109]

I own a 2006 chevy cobalt and do most of my own maintenance. I would love to catch the engineers who designed it in a dark alley armed with a breaker bar. It's a paint to work on but has been very reliable. 156,000 miles so far.

[@mattbrown5511]

Ray, you are a great mechanic and a true gentleman. Trying to save this pile for someone at this time of year is truly commendable. Normally a Cobalt is a throw-a-way auto. But you may save a family's Christmas. God bless you.

[@bryandraughn9830]

That's the term I was looking for. Everything on this vehicle looks so disposable, it's just, yeah.

[@pyro323]

As a former Cobalt owner I approve this video!

[@boggy7665]

Cobalt blue cobalt even

[@pyro323]

@@boggy7665 mine was the same color only it was a 4 door. It was a good little car I only had minor issues like both cam phasers stopped working (under warranty though) and the OEM speakers kept blowing other than that she was good car!

[@wesstallard8919]

@@pyro323Damn son. Turn the music down Bo 😂

[@fzrewagfzaerfer]

If you love Ray and the drain addict, this is the perfect synthesis.

[@KevinCoop1]

You got that right!

[@Enonymouse_]

This cobalt's milkshake brings all the mechanics to the yard.

[@mitchellmartinez]

That's why I'm a big fan of external oil and transmission coolers

[@ernestmccollum2397]

Exactly it saves a big headache.

[@edwintyler4110]

Hey Ray I enjoy your video's daily. I really enjoy your work and how you help people out. Keep up the great work and Hello from Ky.

[@lou-fcb5529]

Don't know why but you keep me interested in watching all the way to the end of all your videos! Keep up the good work and love your attention to getting the work done and what is best for your customers. God bless you guys...

[@manjog59]

I ran into the same issue when I changed the cooling fan on my 2010 Cobalt and had to do the same thing to get it out. Thanks again for the great vid! Glad to see you're keeping busy at the new shop!

[@wazzazone]

Love your work ethics Ray (& Lori) to you and your family have a great festive season.

[@AlistairCampbell1047cc]

Jeez Ray, you deserve a medal! I've been there and got the oil soaked Tee shirt. When that shrader valve disintegrated in the line my stomach turned over. So much time and effort and coming up against problems like that. You must have the patience of a Saint.... and no swear words, Amazing! Keep up the good work and have yourself a really good Christmas. Best wishes from Northern Ireland.

[@TheMhannah100]

I was cussing and I'm just watching on YT.

[@AlistairCampbell1047cc]

@@TheMhannah100 😆me too.

[@aaronbritt2025]

Swearing gets your video demonetized.That's why most KZbinrs keep it clean.

[@NATA5II]

@@aaronbritt2025 True and I'm sure he does off camera but I think in an older video he said it isn't worth it getting mad, it doesn't help or solve anything. That being said I'm sure he gets frustrated.

[@ezrollergbg]

For future oil/coolant mayhem: after a hose flush I have used a generous dose of dish washing detergent in the water and then rub the motor warm for like 20 minutes and the drain that, flush with water and then fill up with coolant. Works great. 😎

[@Wakeupandsniffthecoffee]

I started watching this video in the morning. Had to drive to Norfolk to pickup family returning on the plane and came home, did some car stuff, it's freezing cold today and getting worse. And I watched this video in and off to savor it. A little at a time. I find myself doing that with your videos. If there is only one new one, I only watch it in short segments to make it last longer. 😎

[@mphilleo]

Ray, that was a stroke of genius using that torx driver to remove the busted schrader valve. That's one I'll keep in the 'ol memory bank.

[@roydunn2865]

I wouldn't touch that Cobalt. Moisture in the transmission destroys the clutch discs/ friction material. Numerous flushes and a trans rebuild are required.

[@MrAnderson5157]

Complete tear down and machine dried might get it done. Rebuild imminent.

[@mikejacob3536]

Garbage.

[@jstowe56]

I drive a cobalt but man am i glad i have a manual transmission in it

[@Ralph_Baric_PhD_C2019]

@@MrAnderson5157 do ambient and driving conditions, heat, make any difference? Do they have a vent tube for evap or anything like that, drive a few times with the fill cap removed getting it nice and hot ? Or is the damage done? How many miles out of that auto transmission now? 1,000? 10,000?

[@talenttrading]

I call bs. My grandma drove her dodge dart into a full ditch and flooded the trans with water, I changed the fluid , not even the filter and she drove it another six years. In reality according to my uncle and his friend, both GM factory employee the water would have simply boiled away before long and the new fluid was unnecessary.

[@glenscheible9467]

Good Job Ray and watching you work so hard in most of your videos Mechanicing ,,, that was the Reason I retired as a ASME Coded Welder. Keep up the Good work my Man.. .😁

[@leonardaltig]

I hope that you had a very happy Christmas with your family, I am looking forward to watching how the BG machine does on the fluid exchange.

[@kenklingenberg4680]

What a cruddy job. Do I detect a new A/C machine? NICE ! ! I truly hope you make a buck, or three, on these less than optimal jobs. My highest regards to your wonderful Wife Unit. Makes me warm and fuzzy to see you two working together as a well matched unit.

[@dantesinfernopurgatory7826]

"I can't see it, but I can feel it" Use The Force, Ray! Let go!

[@808ecobeast7]

Yup those Cobalts are like Saturn Ions, the radiator fan assembly, radiator, and condenser comes in and out as one unit. My 1997 Camaro was the same ...

[@atsue5399]

Ray, I very much enjoy your videos. You add an aspect of comedy and fun to them. This is also why I like doing this kind of work. I had this exact same issue happen last year on my 2003 chevy Silverado 1500 with the 5.3. I fortunately caught it early while changing my trans fluid and it hadn't made its way too much into the cooling system of my engine. I found very, very little mixture happened. It was still mostly coolant. My trany is still shifting great after flushing it and the engine. She's sitting on 230k and runs like a top. Thank you for your time and posting videos to keep in entertained.

[@jerryc.372]

The transmission cooler part inside the radiator is technically termed as a, "heat exchanger" unit. Thanks for the great videos Ray. We are addicted to these! Hope you and all your family have a happy holidays.

[@ferrumignis]

A radiator is technically a heat exchanger too.

[@aaronbritt2025]

All devices for cooling or heating are "heat exchangers". Radiators, condensers, heater cores, transmission coolers, intercoolers, oil coolers... All heat exchangers.

[@ernestmccollum2397]

Having the transmission cooler inside the radiator has never been a good idea.

[@ferrumignis]

@@ernestmccollum2397 It's no different than a separate oil/water cooler which a large number of cars use. It has the major advantage of warming the oil up a lot faster than an oil/air cooler.

[@jsteins]

Nearly all cars with an automatic transmission have had one of these heat exchangers built into the side of radiator since about 1960...as Ray describes near 28:30 The transmission's fluid pump circulates tranny fluid through this heat exchanger. For autos driving in winter weather, this allows tranny to warm up to about 140°F aprox 60°C for good running temp, and for hot running trans in summer, it allows fluid to dump some heat into tranny coolant. For MOsT cars in last 60yrs, this has worked ok, but some of the newer car manufacturers have tried to go :cheap: on radiator quality, and if there is a leak in that heat exchanger, it WiLL allow antifreeze and transmission fluid to mix, which causes big problems... especially for transmission... and when water+antifreeze contaminates the red tranny fluid, you get Ray's "forbidden strawberry milkshake" (bad news) which can easily damage the clutch packs in an automatic transmission. Glad to see Ray TrIeD to do his best, ia attempt to save the tranny... it is hard to get that gunk flushed out of trans...and torque converter... and shifting valve body... etc for a good flush and refill. You just about have to flush trans fluid, drive 10 miles, then flush it again to clear out the gunk. Costs twice the fluid, but may save having a dead transmission two weeks later.

[@ningen1980]

I may be insane. But that Slowbalt might have been involved in some sort of forward interaction with a much more solid object.

[@kenore4003]

Like maybe .....air?

[@SmallKittyPaw]

@@kenore4003 I bet that air bends hoods and core supports.

[@kenore4003]

@@SmallKittyPaw When body parts are made from recycled toothpaste tubes the structural integrity is kinda slim.

[@ningen1980]

@@kenore4003 Air can bend AC lines and cause internal damage to radiators. With sufficient velocity. Pretty sure a 2.2 ecotec powered vehicle would never move that briskly.

[@ningen1980]

@Simr Khera Yeah. That was the second indicator.

[@GeorgePodsobinski]

I am sure most of us old guys had some experience with milky radiator fluid at one time. My son had a '72 Ford Courier which he ran way to hot. Radiator fluid was milky and found out he warped the aluminum head. As they say "that was that for that engine".

[@steventhomas5865]

The part in the radiator is a heat exchanger (not cooler) as it is there to heat the transmission fluid when it's cold and cool the transmission fluid when it's hot.

[@markferrick10]

Quite a challenge to get it all fixed up again. Hope it works out. I am surprised you re-connected the new cooler to the transmission and didn't just connect the 2 hoses together with a short hose. I guess when flushing that transmission, you will flush the cooler also. Looking forward to the next video.

[@davidpattison5860]

@markF The transmission cooling is through a tank inside the radiator so water and oil should never meet that’s the original fault the transmission cooler tank/fittings failed and cross contaminated the system , Regards Davy🇹🇭

[@boggy7665]

@@davidpattison5860 Mark means to do this only until the trans is flushed & ready for its final fill.

[@markferrick10]

@@davidpattison5860 Understand, but now that the transmission oil is, lets just say, substandard goo, and it runs thru the new cooler, that goo will contaminate the 'shiny new' cooler. That was my point. thanks for the thought, tho. ;-)

[@davidpattison5860]

@mark ferrick Sorry I read the original comment wrong thinking you thought it was a water cooled transmission and the water/coolant was going to be contaminated by the nasty oil , regards Davy 🇹🇭

[@markferrick10]

@@davidpattison5860 No worries

[@Kashed]

I think on the assembly line at the factory they installed the fan on the radiator and then installed it all as one unit. In the future if you are unlucky enough to deal with another Cobalt radiator, that may be the way to go. It was just a thought but, there I go trying to think again. I figured I would help fill today’s quota of telling you how to do your job. 😁

[@andries4561]

Well it looks like there is space to unbolt the condenser in the car, so you can remove the condenser, radiator and fan independent from each other all from the bottom of the car after removing the bottom radiator mounts. I think it's a great design

[@rick980]

Guaranteed that is the way they did it before, that wire harness and whatever that little module that looks like an airbag thing in the middle, was installed. The person that did that on the line probably subassembled the 3 parts installed it by dropping it on this 2 mounts at the bottom then probably attaching the rad hoses and not work depending if they made it in Mexico or the US

[@1djbecker]

@@andries4561 Yes, the radiator comes out from the bottom with a little flexing of the bumper cover.

[@pitchforkpeasant6219]

🤣👍

[@jesussantiago7260]

This reminds me how much I hated working on limited space cars before I lost eyesight in my left eye. What a fruitful reminder that I hate the cobalt even though I'm not working on it 😆

[@harshmoor2280]

Thank God I own a truck. Space for days lol. Pretty much the only hour long videos I can watch on KZbin. Thank you. Done this to my truck a time, a crack in the motor once another time. Invest in a separate Trans cooler.

[@davedave6404]

Bloody HELL ! Ray. Is there no limit to what you will tackle? Inspiration to the god of patience indeed. In the outside world this would be a scrapper, surely? Wife unit, I am green, such support and caring showing through, a very special person.

[@mike.47]

The guy who designed the fan housing must be laughing his head off. 🤯

[@MonkeyJedi99]

... In the "special" hell.

[@buttsexandbananapeels]

I’ve had 2 Cobalts in my family. First one was my sister’s, second was my SS. The SS had a manual and was a good car. The clutch was a PITA, but doable. I had the clutch pack ordered when her Cobalt had the trans cooler meltdown. I brought it into my buddy’s shop and ran into the same FUBAR deadens as you did getting it from the top, off the lift. When I got it back together I was covered in more sweat than a nervous pig in a sauna and angrier than a kicked wasp nest. A day of flushing later and it was finally cleaned out. Drive it to my sister’s and three days later a drunk driver slammed into it in the parking lot of a grocery store. I looked at my SS and sold it so I’d never have to work on one of these things again.

[@mikeh6876]

I am really glad you made this video. There a many people who have absolutely no idea of the problems mechanics have to surmount when servicing an auto. Bad engineering is responsible for most of mechanics headaches. This video is a great teacher for the initiated.

[@waynerock4044]

I believe my favorite part of these videos occurs when Ray tosses the empty brake cleaner can and it clangs around on the floor.😊

[@fluffyblue4006]

Nice job, considering the constraints. Let's hope that the smaller passages in the block didn't get clogged. I think changing the hoses would be a good thing to do by the next owner at the next service, because you still don't know if the transmission will hold up at all loads. If you want to be perfectionist at no extra cost, you should turn the clamp at the passenger's side radiator hose, so it won't chafe the bare wires of the MAF. Best would be, of course, apply some proper loom protection at that area. But there's so much small stuff to do on this vehicle, which will add up. That airco line must have had some serious bending going on prior to this car got here. There was that clamp. Despite of the clamp, the line was still rubbing that dipstick bracket bolt. I can't believe it came from the factory like that. So, I think, the previous owner has already been trying to replace the broken rad fan. And while he was doing it, he discovered the coolant and trans fluid cross-contamination issue and decided to just get rid of the mess and get another car.

[@MonkeyJedi99]

Sweet custom under-car cardboard floor mat!

[@spencerblack7009]

Hi Ray, really pleased for you, as you seem more relaxed working for yourself, I am in the North east of the U.K and watch ALL your Work. So let me now WISH You and TYour family a very happy Christmas and May the New Year of 2023 be Happy, Healthy and aso WEALTHY for you, enjoy yourselves. Spencer Black

[@garynewell6947]

Yet another great video Ray your doing a most excellent job the most important thing is that you have yourself a great day

[@Grumpy-sy7wr]

My curious side asks if it might have been beneficial to attach the fan to the radiator, and insert as a unit? 🤔

[@brianpooley6635]

had the same thing happen to me on my work van, a GMC. Because it was my daily service vehicle I quickly noticed a rise in temperature and proceeded to the service shop to have it diagnosed. They did pretty much what you are doing and when I got the van back it ran with no more problems. They sold the van 5 years later and one of my colleagues purchased it and ran it for several more years. That was back when GM made much better vehicles than they do today.

[@MattJMillsNZ]

Well done on this job. If it was me though, I wouldn't have put the new radiator in until I had flushed the engine out with clean water. But I'm not a mechanic. Videos are very clear, you get us right in the action.

[@dragonflytoo]

Retired Army mechanic here....I have absolutely no use for any of these tools, but I sure want them 🤣! How much easier my work life could have been.... 🤔. Well done my friend. You could sell your videos to schools for lessons. Very instructional and most importantly, proof that 'everything is figure-outable'... ❤️👍.

[@joeblowe7545]

After watching this struggle, this is why I'll watch videos, and also research the job before I even attempt it. Years ago you could do jobs like this with relative ease. Situations like this are all too common, and likely to get worse going forward.

[@forgetfulme1719]

he knows yoga to reach those fasteners, the design engineers were from MIT?

[@Bulletz4Breakfast13]

Even doing simple jobs like replacing shocks or sway bar links, I pre-order the bolts, cutting disks/sawzall bi-metal/carbide blades and have a torch on hand just in case. If I don't need the bolts & blades or extra parts I return them in package. Like testing a O2 Sensor, it's very common to have one melted in where it's completely seized and will likely break inside or not come out easy. So things like hose clamp, 02 socket, torch and replacement sensors are basically required. It's never as easy as changing a part.

[@bigpicturethinking5620]

This is a particularly shitty vehicle (I mean all cobalts) so this isn’t really representative.

[@ogbobbye]

the crazy part is after all the work and new parts you end up with an 18 year old Chevy Cobalt that had coolant running through the transmission and trans fluid running through the engine for who knows how long. wonder what a used 05 cobalt sells for? about 3000 I'm guessing. love to know what he charged for this.

[@joeblowe7545]

@@bigpicturethinking5620 I think you are missing the point here. The point is regardless of how "shitty" or "great" a vehicle is, the level of stuffing 10 pounds of crap in a 5 pound bag can be seen everywhere in the auto industry, and perhaps even more so in more expensive and high powered vehicles. I think you are implying that less "shittier" vehicles are less prone to breaking down than the more "shittier" ones? In fact, it's likely just the opposite.

[@ReflectedMiles]

Standard GM / Opel quality small-auto build right there. Even its profitability wasn't guaranteed, so I guess the dominant incentive was not to lose any more than necessary on each unit.

[@nissan300ztt]

I do love the videos. Even the long ones from you. You show so much detail and youre very honest.

[@rogerrossman5124]

I wouldn't put coolant in yet. Just water with some dish soap. That was you will remove more of the oil from the surface of the water passages.

[@MeZpatriot5O]

This repair is the perfect definition of Murphy's Law.

[@knighttaylor4272]

I love this ty

[@OldMadScientist]

It is a GM product. Murphy works overtime on GM products.

[@brandonadams3210]

Nicely done Ray Ray. Can't believe someone wamted to spend that kind of money on that turd, but hey we don't break em or deem their worth, we just fix em lol. Also love the 90 degree adapter piece. Gotta get me one of them

[@PaulCyclist]

I’m always happy to see you try and save old parts as opposed to just rushing with the parts cannon. Good job Ray

[@aramtopjian220]

What a fantastic video. Keep up the good work. Great to see wife unit helping.

[@hotpuppy1]

The radiator, condenser and fan should all go in as one unit. That is how the factory assembly line did it. Whether or not the bumper fascia was on at the factory first is a question. When I worked at Diamondstar/Mitsubishi assembly line putting together Eclipses and Gallants, it really helps doing service knowing how it went together. Sometimes you end up taking more stuff apart just to get one piece out.

[@helivesonforever]

Second this. GM vehicles are easiest to change radiators, fans, and condensers by removing the front bumper cover and then removing the two top mounts. The entire unit will pivot and slide right out the front. Much faster and easier than fighting with it through the back.

[@roxanneabbott8424]

Hey Ray Merry Christmas to you and your family! Great job, I hate plastic parts too, lol!

[@51ubetcha]

When i was turning wrench, someone had a post on the GM tech forum about a service bulletin put out by CAT recommending flushing the cooling system, refill with clean water and Cascade dish washer detergent. Let it run up to operating temp for awhile and reflush

[@ColinWatters]

The correct procedure for removing the fan seems to be to cut it into pieces to get it out. Then use a portable injection moulding machine to make a new one in-situ. At least it looks like how the designer intended it to be done.

[@kay110]

I always thought mixing fluids within an object (Rad) was a recipie for disaster. Merry xmas/new year - glad things are working well at the new shop. 🎄

[@MrAnderson5157]

Trans fluid is normaly circulated through the radiator in its own chamber. And yes water and trans fluid is a disaster.

[@josh6715]

With some coolants it is red and pink don't mix well green.and red is Gray area etc

[@kenholt8297]

mixing green and red coolant is Christmassy 😂😂

[@alanragsdale9220]

CHRISTMAS!!!

[@handbananaistherapist642]

@@alanragsdale9220 Not so hard to type out " Christmas" .

[@rbilardo47]

This was the most frustrating and painful video to watch, I'm sure it was more frustrating to you, and you handled it well (at least while camera was on). As a mechanic in the late 60's to mid 70's, when it was a pleasure to work on all vehicles, there was so much room in the engine compartment we could acturally climb in and work, almost. lol. I've learned to deal with the less room on my own vehicle at home, no lift, I enjoy that. Thanks for sharing.

[@jilbertb]

First thing I learn to do on a car (besides chg tires and oil) was how to block off the EGR and rip out the unleaded fuel only plate. Yeah, I'm that old....

[@leosmith848]

Never worked on a British Austin Mini did you? Ther was a short by pass hose that used to go and simply couldn't be replaced without pulling the whole thing apart. Until some after market genius made one shaped like a bellows that could be compressed and then fitted..

[@rbilardo47]

@@leosmith848 No can't say that I have, seems like a nightmare to change, thank God for the aftermarket parts.

[@mvfc7637]

I just wouldn’t have the patience for all the fiddling required to simply unclamp a hose, front wheen drive cars must be an absolute menace for mechanics to work on these days.

[@russellstyles5381]

You could probably have done that on my dad's 68 F100 with 240 6 engine.

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Good video as always @Rainman Ray's Repairs

[@jstoney6471]

Happy Christmas to You and Family!

[@geddesjimmy]

Wow you have a lot more patience than me, I think Florida would have learned how much a Scotsman can swear along with how far a spanner can fly lol. Great vid, kept me on the edge of my seat.

[@michaelmerritt9933]

If I'm going to pay someone to do this work, I'll definitely spring for some new radiator hoses. What about the small hose that was split?

[@wizebuck]

Yeah I was wondering that myself. 1:06:50

[@MartinShorthose]

Yeah. This looks familiar. Lexus also incorporate a transmission cooler in the engine radiator and they are known to fail. This cost me a new transmission on my GS430. Ker-ching! I fitted an after-market oil cooler, keeping the two systems completely separate, and would recommend that for anything so stupidly designed!

[@r4ptorbunny593]

LOL I love how he closed out the video like 2 or 3 times and kept getting distracted. I was waiting for Ray to just be like "okbye" and then end the video! 😂 Seriously though, another great video, Ray! Wishing you and your family a happy holiday season!

[@clbcl5]

Finally a nice and shiny A/C machine. It's Gray, orange and blue, so you know it's good.

[@buffsheeri]

yeah it looks like he bought one, looks like a nice unit.

[@TheCorpsehatch]

Ray with the early upload today. And it's going to be a good one. Forbidden Milkshake is nasty.

[@harlansklia]

That ATF+Coolant mixture is the worst, most messy shit to deal with. My Acura MDX blew up last Christmas with this same failure (integrated radiator/trans cooler situation) and it was the biggest project I've ever done, plus changed the timing belt while the whole thing was taken apart.

[@setfreeatlast7777]

My son enjoys watching your videos. He's 15 and wants to be a mechanic when he gets older. He said that he wants a wife unit to help him too. Love your videos.

[@pnowikow]

I can't wait to see if this one survives without needing a transmission

[@jilbertb]

Sadly, I expect this vehicle to come back and haunt him. "All my hoses are blowing up and you were the last one to touch it" kinda thing.

[@ernestmccollum2397]

Give it 4-6 months will need trans overhaul

[@jameskennedy673]

I sure hope that what you’re doing isn’t wasting the owners money(his choice) & your time. Tell your wife that my wife & I are proud of her for helping & supporting you. Another great video Ray have yourself a great day today. Y’all have a Merry Christmas, hope that y’all don’t get a hard freeze from the Cold snap that’s heading your way. Keep’m coming

[@darthtripedacus1]

It should work. Whatever damage is done to the transmission is done. The car doesn't have power windows so the owner may not have the ability to purchase a new car. Bandaid this one back together until they are in a better spot.

[@barrysimmons5489]

You obviously have the patience of Job, Ray. And yer lovely Bride to console and assist you, Outstanding and a blessing. After dropping the pan for a filter change, why not reassemble, put the cooler discharge in a bucket, fill trans to level, fire up engine while pouring fluid until the discharge runs clean? That's how we used to do trans service. Then top off to full mark. That'll clear the torque converter too. Normally, on a full sized car we'd use about a case of qts. Not sure with yer strawberry concoction might require to run clean. . . In the interim, I do enjoy the videos. Hope y'all have a blessed and Merry Christmas.

[@jeffreyjustice4867]

Once again great job Ray! I hope the cobalt survives.😀

[@howardbowen-RC-Pilot]

Brilliant idea putting the transmission cooler actually inside the radiator isn't it. Sets you up for a catastrophic failure. Like how difficult would it be to have kept them separate?

[@iffracem]

it's all about cost, not longevity, or ease of repair. The profit is in selling cars, not the car lasting much beyond any mandatory warranty. Certainly most profit for repairs like this will go to an independent mechanic, not GM/Chrysler/Ford/Toyota/BMW/VW et al Much cheaper and quicker to just route a pipe through a radiator, with added bonus that you get to sell a complete radiator if (when ) it stuffs up. It's why my 35 year old westinghouse fridge still runs, keeps things cold and has only ever needed one door seal for the freezer compartment. The previous owner.. yep it's second hand.. has had to replace the fridge they "upgraded" to 3 times so far.. you need to replace complete sub assemblies at the same cost as a whole fridge once you add in labour costs. Capitalism 101. CONSUME CONSUME CONSUME! never re-use, no profit in that

[@harriettedaisy2233]

Been done for a long time, not a very common issue.

[@davidclemens1578]

They have been doing that for decades. My dad had a 66 Mustang with the cooler in the radiator. But back then the radiators were brass and today they make them out of aluminum and plastic.

[@kj5190]

Then we wouldn’t have people like Ray to show us how the auto industry makes it cost more to fix cars than it is to buy a new one.

[@cmonwork]

no no, this is pretty simple math: seperate cooler, lines and labor would cost chevy about $30 +, when u consider that at least 300k cobalts were manufactured + 800K of other cars that share similar engine setups... that is 33 Million.. if I was chevy, I would rather pocket this.. Also, lets not forget that american manufacturers love to cut on development and testing.

[@troywhite76]

That radio install is impressive. :-)

[@trentbowen3649]

I do not think I have ever seen one of those valves break before. Nice flex there Ray.

[@jcos55chev19]

Instead of contaminating the new radiator trans cooler, I would hook a bypass hose from the top trans line to the bottom line before flushing the trans. Flush the trans as best as I could then reconnect the trans lines to the new radiator. The trans can run without the cooler as long as you don't drive it for hours in high heat.

[@InCountry6970]

I'm not sure if you have employed a new lighting to your videos, but it sure looks good. Pulling those trans lines from the radiator were so well lit and filmed, I felt like I was in there with my own hands getting dirty

[@stephenpeterson7479]

I'll be surprised if the transmission survives the contamination.

[@srthomp420]

Ray, sometimes I don't have to time to watch every video but I do give you a like on every one. I hope that helps you in some way. Merry Christmas!

[@xman1030]

Love these long videos 👍. Keep up the good work.