How to Replace an Expedition Radiator

The automotive radiator is designed to remove heat from engine coolant in a sealed environment. In the event a radiator is damaged and leaks, or becomes blocked with hard water deposits, it is in the vehicle’s best interest to replace the radiator immediately. A leaking radiator, or one with 30 percent or more blockage, can lead to an overheated engine in a matter of minutes. If the need arises, an Expedition radiator can be replaced in a few hours.

Things You'll Need:

• Catch pan
• Socket set
• Pocket screwdriver
• Box wrenches
• Replacement radiator
• 2 gallons of coolant
• 2 gallons of distilled water

1. Make sure the engine is cold before beginning

Make sure the engine is cold before beginning. Slide the catch pan under the bottom radiator outlet. Use the socket set to loosen the hose clamp on the bottom radiator hose and pull the hose free by hand. Aim the hose down into the catch pan.

2. Open the hood and remove the trim pins

Open the hood and remove the trim pins that hold the trim cover over the top of the radiator. The pins have a center post that can be pried up with the screwdriver. Once up, you can pull the whole pin out by hand. When you have all the pins removed, lift the trim out of the way and set it aside.

3. Disconnect the upper radiator hose

Disconnect the upper radiator hose by loosening the hose clamp with a socket set, and then pulling the hose clear of the radiator.

4. Disconnect the transmission cooler lines

Disconnect the transmission cooler lines from the radiator tank using a box wrench.

5. Unbolt the hold downs with the box wrench

Unbolt the hold downs with the box wrench.

6. Lift the radiator up and out of the vehicle and then set it off to the side

Lift the radiator up and out of the vehicle and then set it off to the side. Compare the new one to the old one, making sure the hose and transmission cooler line connections are all in the same places.

7. Lower the new radiator down into position

Lower the new radiator down into position and reconnect everything in the opposite manner in which you removed it.

8. Fill the cooling system

Fill the cooling system with equal parts coolant and distilled water.

9. Run the engine for a few minutes

Run the engine for a few minutes, then shut it off and top the system with coolant and distilled water again. Drive the vehicle as normal and then recheck the coolant level the next time the engine has cooled down completely and add as needed.

Tip

It is a good idea to replace the radiator hoses and thermostat when replacing a radiator if none of those items have been replaced recently.

Video showing a Lincoln Navigator Expedition radiator replacement:

Comments on this video:

• Nice job on video, my only suggestion is to purchase a NEW upper and lower radiator hose when you change the radiator. Does not cost very much and you can remove and install the radiator with the LOWER hose attached. Also a good idea to change the T-stat at this time as they do wear out.
• Nice how much a job like that cost