My radiator cracked so I have an aluminum one on the way. Is replacing the radiator a simple job and not worth paying a mechanic to do? Before I do this is there anything I should know? I want everything to be right before I start my car with the new radiator.

 

It's probably a 3/10 difficulty DIY for the first time, so not bad at all. Ensure you open the top reservoir cap with a rag or something, as it is under a little bit of pressure - some coolant may spill out. Drain the radiator from the bottom, and remove it after disconnecting the fans. The two brackets are all you have up top to undo. Expect some residual coolant to continue to drain from the lines. I recommend buying new hoses, too. If you I30 has an AT, ensure your replacement radiator has an AT cooler or you buy an external cooler (much better option). The toughest part is getting all of the air out of the system, and that will just take a little bit of time and maybe a second fill to mitigate that.

 

20 minute job, really. Two nuts on top for the radiator, two bolts that hold the fans in, then the two radiator hose clamps, and the two trans cooler lines.

FWIW if your hoses and thermostat are original, I'd spend the extra ~$50 and replace those as well. Then you should really have nothing to worry about in the cooling system for a while.

 

Yes i bought replacement hoses from OBX racing (only because they are red and i wanted a little more color in the engine bay). I will pick up a new thermostat at autozone tomorrow.

One more thing, how exactly do you drain the coolant? Do I just let it all spill out when I take off the radiator?

 

No, there's a drain plug in the bottom of the rad.

 

Ok so when the new radiator, hoses, and thermostat are in place, then what? Just fill up the coolant containter?

 

No, you fill up the radiator itself...

Fill the rad, bleed the system.

For instructions on bleeding, search.

 

Buy one from the dealership. It costs $15. It is worth spending them for original part.

 

Some after market ones do not have it

 

After you are done with bleeding the system put some coolant in the tank as well. It is pretty simple job. I blew up my radiator some time ago and had to replace it too. That is what happens when you are driving like crazy with cracked radiator

 

Forgot to mention if you are getting after market radiator make sure it fits in the car and the fans fit on it. I bought some Mexican radiator that was way off and has to replace it with some good quality Chinese radiator

Edit: ignore that last part. I did not see that you already got the radiator. It is 5 a.m. and I need to go to bed

 

I would also do a flush while your at it. Then you will be set.