DIY Replacing A Radiator in a 2003 Chevy Tahoe, step by step

Radiators break, it just happens, so when they break it's always nice to be able to do it yourself. This is a step by step DIY video showing you how to replace a radiator in a 2001-2006 Chevy Tahoe. There may be some differences from one car to the next but this will get you a feel for how a radiator can be replaced in about any car or truck. :)
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[@kbar463]

Many Thanks, saved me a ton of money. Without this video I would not have known how easy it was, and had to pay someone else. Saved my 2000 Tahoe, Betsy, and we are all grateful.

[@KoalityofLife]

Happy the video helped. Thanks for watching. :)

[@josephclevel89]

Seriously thank you for this video! Took me only 20 minutes to do it following this. You're a real hero!!

[@KoalityofLife]

You're welcome. Glad the video helped and thanks for watching and commenting. :)

[@626dad]

You saved me 450.00 by doing it myself thanks. Mechanic wanted 600.00 to do what you showed me in 30 minutes.

[@KoalityofLife]

Very nice, glad this video helped. :)

[@DugOutDuo]

This honestly the best how to video I have ever seen so perfect I did it myself thank you!!!

[@KoalityofLife]

Thank you and thanks for watching. :)

[@RoninDosho]

I've watched about 5 different videos so far, before I start on my 05 GMC Sierra 5.3 radiator remove and replace. This one is the most concise and well shot video of them all. Thanks

[@KoalityofLife]

Thank you, it's nice to hear the video helped out. It always takes longer to do a job when you are trying to show everything but its worth it when you see posts like this. Thanks for watching. :)

[@bradyjoneswag7]

Best video I’ve seen by far. I’ve been watching videos for 2 hours now. He even took the time at the end of the video to explain the tricky clips. And had the foresight to describe other versions of radiators for different trims and years.

[@KoalityofLife]

Thank you and thanks for watching. :)

[@rustyengle6342]

You are a great instructor for this job. I am very grateful for your service. It is all I need to know to make this job happen without any surprises that I might of missed. 👍🏻

[@KoalityofLife]

Thank you. I'm glad this video helped. Thanks for watching. :)

[@EdLavature-qv5pb]

Great tutorial and narrative step by step. Making the job only a matter of time, not drudgery. Things I wasn’t aware of were made known. Sometime ago, I removed the Vortec cover. to allow heat to dissipate, instead of confining it to the engine. Living in arid climates, I advise once vehicle is parked, raise the hood, and allow heat to escape to atmosphere. Expedites cooling down before next drive.

[@KoalityofLife]

Thank you and thanks for watching. :)

[@AccuracySpeaks]

Great video. My brother cracked a head with that "air bubble" you mentioned working its way through the system just from changing his antifreeze. His truck never got in the "red" hot, nevertheless, it destroyed (cracked) his head. It blew our minds that occurred just from changing his antifreeze and "burping" the system the old-fashioned way. A Chevy mechanic friend of ours said that it is imperative to get all the air out of the system on those heads before you run them up to temperature or they will do that from hot spots in the head from the air bubble. I had never heard of that, although, I'm glad I learned from his very costly mistake! I think the vacuum tool you have is the only way to go on these Chevys!

[@KoalityofLife]

I used to burp systems the old fashioned way but I was always worried about an air bubble somewhere in the system. With the vacuum system I don't have to worry about anything. The piece of mind is worth the cost of the system. Thanks for watching. :)

[@AccuracySpeaks]

@@KoalityofLife Absolutely, thanks for sharing!

[@KoalityofLife]

@@AccuracySpeaksYou're welcome. :)

[@archdukeofsynth]

Thanks for the tip about the rubber hose on the transmission fluid lines, I was wondering what I was going to do about that to keep them from getting contaminated.

[@KoalityofLife]

You're welcome. Thanks for watching. :)

[@xxJaliquexx]

U hve inspired me

[@KoalityofLife]

Thank you and thanks for watching. :)

[@richrivera92]

Thank you on all your details. It really helps with the job.

[@KoalityofLife]

You're welcome. Thanks for watching and feel free to share a video, it helps our channel grow. :)

[@garycarter583]

Very well done with every step complete. Thanks for making life easier!

[@KoalityofLife]

Thank you, now if I could just figure out how to own a car without having it break down. lol :)

[@johnhuggins5021]

Do you mind doing a step-by-step How-To for simply changing the radiator fluid on the 2003 Tahoe? Is it necessary to remove all those plastic coverings over or near the radiator to perform what used to be a simple task in much older vehicles? Or does it just make it easier?

[@KoalityofLife]

I no longer have this vehicle but. To change antifreeze is simple on most of these. Most of the radiators on the Tahoes have a petcock (I say most because I have run into a few that don't for whatever reason) at the bottom of the radiator on the passenger side I believe. Make sure your engine is cold. You can slide a little hose over the outlet so the antifreeze doesn't go everywhere and then open the petcock. After its drained close the petcock and fill with new antifreeze. An airlift system is great for filling coolant systems and making sure there isn't any air pockets. If you don't have an airlift system fill your coolant system, reinstall the coolant cap and start the car paying attention the the temp gauge. let the car run until the car is at operation temp without going over. Shut the car off and let it cool off completely, this might take a while. after the car has cooled off open the coolant cap and top off the system. Repeat this process until you no longer have to add any more coolant. Hope this helps. Thanks for watching. :)

[@sethflood1545]

Very helpful!

[@KoalityofLife]

Glad it helped. Thanks for watching. :)

[@jeremiahjlucero4888]

shops around my are wanted 600-800 to change out my radiator, did it my self in less than an hour…

[@KoalityofLife]

Very nice. Thanks for watching. :)

[@eatatjoes159]

Much appreciated! You are very helpful.

[@KoalityofLife]

You're welcome. Thanks for watching. :)

[@gregbrown9271]

Nice video mate be very helpful for some money saving people out there 👍

[@KoalityofLife]

Thank you. Not my usual video but I had to do it so why not share the information. :)

[@Ivanskiyyy]

I am so glad I ran into your video. what is that hose at 6:32 and 7:03 you are talking about?

[@KoalityofLife]

The thin hose that attaches on the passenger side of the radiator about half way up is a coolant hose that goes to your intake manifold. The lower radiator hose attaches below that and is a lot bigger. All of these hoses have to be removed to remove the radiator. Hope this helps. Thanks for watching. :)

[@ericksmelendez3821]

Great video thanks

[@KoalityofLife]

You're welcome. Thanks for watching. :)

[@nova_exodus7711]

Hey I just wanted to ask is there a temporary fix to a radiator leak since I’m not very good economically and well but do let me know

[@KoalityofLife]

I don't know of any temporary fix that I would use on my own car. It depends on where the leak is. From my experience these Tahoe radiators typically crack the plastic end cap. The crack starts out small and grows quickly. Sorry I couldn't give you a better answer. Thanks for watching. :)

[@brokfn4586]

Good😊

[@KoalityofLife]

Thank you and thanks for watching. :)

[@mariothomas7618]

I have the same set up for my radio and it's on my 2003 Chevy Tahoe but I have to order mine on line and its a 5.3 liter LS whats the measurements on it

[@KoalityofLife]

Sorry, I don't have this vehicle any more so I can't measure it. :)

[@ArmandoMorales-z7v]

I got a bad leak on a 05 tahoe , I believe it’s from the passenger side after investigating it seems like some one put jb weld on the low transmission lines connecting to the radiator specifically on the fitting connection.. pain in the ass I thought it was engine oil big mess

[@KoalityofLife]

I never liked the JB weld repairs, temporary fix at best. Thanks for watching. :)

[@romanballesteros2817]

How do you know if you need the oil cooler or not

[@KoalityofLife]

The radiator will have a trans cooler on one side and if you have an oil cooler it will be on the other side of the radiator. All of the Tahoes have a trans cooler so if your radiator only has lines going to one side then you dont have an oil cooler. Hope this helps and thanks for watching. :)

[@UncleSarkis]

Thanks for sharing. Is it advised to flush the entire system (including heater core front and/or rear) when installing a new part? I'm trying to figure out the best way to do it without getting anything on the ground.

[@KoalityofLife]

This is true. Thanks for watching. :)

[@OldManFrank]

*I have a 2010 Ford Explorer V8 4X4; it has a mechanical fan and electric fans in the front.*

[@KoalityofLife]

Seems they doubled up on the air flow on that one. :)

[@OldManFrank]

@@KoalityofLife *It definitely needs it.*

[@fixitallpaul4847]

Electric fans might be controlled by the AC

[@victorreyes2135]

I have a 01chevy tahoe 5.3 ,keeps running very hot at idle like almost maxing out on the temp needle,but it's okay if I drive it or if I hit the gas to raise my rpms to 2000 then keep it their for a sec,and the temperature will begin to cool back down again..... I've replaced the water pump , thermostat, and radiator about 2 maybe 3years ago I also use dexcool any ideas??? Thanks

[@KoalityofLife]

That's interesting, sounds like you are low on antifreeze, have you checked the level lately? Other than that it could be a circulation problem. :)

[@xSamoh]

Is there a way to add coolant straight to the radiator my hose is leaking and I’m not very car savvy Preciate any advice

[@KoalityofLife]

Not on this model, but if your hose is leaking it would just leak out no matter where you put coolant in at. :)

[@xSamoh]

@@KoalityofLife turned out to be my water pump thanks for the feed back

[@KoalityofLife]

@@xSamoh You're welcome. :)

[@chrishardin4220]

Thanks. Once you get all the plastic off its not that hard.

[@KoalityofLife]

Pretty simple job really, glad the video helped and thanks for watching. :)

[@keyboiz916]

Ok I’m curious cause I just replaced my radiator and I was curious what that radiator is in front of that main radiator? I know in front is the trans cooler but what’s the middle one? It’s gonna bug me till I know.

[@KoalityofLife]

It depends on the car or truck as to how many coolers there are up front. On this 2003 Tahoe there is a radiator, then an A/C condenser in front of the radiator and a small 3 inch wide 12 inch tall trans cooler off to one side. I you have a turbo diesel there will be an intercooler out in front of all of that directly behind the grill of the vehicle. Hope this helps. :)

[@keyboiz916]

@@KoalityofLife oh ok so mine must be the a/c condenser. I have a 04 Tahoe z71 and I see 3 things. The trans cooler which I plan on replacing and the radiator I just replaced. Also noticed the I think power steering condenser or cooler

[@KoalityofLife]

@@keyboiz916 Yep, the A/C condenser is directly in front of the radiator on your "04 Tahoe and I had forgotten about the power steering cooler being up there too. :)

[@keyboiz916]

@@KoalityofLife yea I just changed my radiator today and let me tell ya it was dirty! All the fins were clogged

[@KoalityofLife]

@@keyboiz916 It is amazing how much dirt and debris gets packed into those fins. :)

[@rickygreenman2016]

You did not show me how to clips back on

[@KoalityofLife]

Sorry, if you are talking about the fan shroud, it should just slide back into place. :)

[@GlobalEntertainmentMediahub]

If I don't have a hose hook what can I use?

[@KoalityofLife]

You can use anything to get under the end of the hose to loosen it up just be careful not to damage the hose. :)