Nightmare Radiator Change

Okay I am simply posting this story because it has been a nightmare.

So I ordered a replacement radiator a couple of weeks ago and I received it and everything looked GREAT but when I test fitted it the upper radiator hose was to close to the AC compressor. I call the company and he tells me I have the SAME radiator except the upper and lower radiator ports are on opposite sides. Lower on passenger and upper on driver side versus the original which was the other way. I tell the sales person all right that sounds like it will work.

I received it the other day and it looks good by just looking at it. I start off by running to Napa at about 11:30 to get a replacement radiator hose. I set the radiator and try to attach the radiator hose and it does not fit. I pull the radiator back out and realize the lower radiator port is NOT 1.5 inches but 1.75 inches. Well crap the outlet of the pump is 1.5. I then get on the phone with a local radiator shop and find he has a 1.75 to 1.5 rubber reducer. I thank him profusely after I begged for a ride to get it. Ohhh but I had to walk 1.5 miles to get the ride. He gave me the adapter for free.

Then back to Napa for some 1.75 inch hose. I go ahead and buy 3 feet of nitrile hose thick as hell and about as flexible as a heavy bow. After fighting to for 30 minutes trying to get the hose in place I give up and say let me get some of the other stuff in place first. Going to connect the transmission coolant AND they are to short. Back to begging for a ride to Napa. I get to Napa and get a nipple and some shorter bolts for the fan because the radiator is thick as hell. I finally get everything except the lower radiator hose in place and fight with it a little more when I realize it doesn't matter if I do get it in place because it was rubbing on the belt.

I sit back and thick for a few minutes what can I do. Eureka exhaust pipe. This nitrile hose is pretty sticky stuff so I walk the 1.5 miles again and this time I decide to try my 150cc scooter that I have NOT rode in 2 years. Someone turned the headlights on and killed the battery. Thankfully it can be kicked over so I kick and kick and kick for 30 minutes and finally get it to go over. I ride down to OReillys because by this time it is 8:15. So I get a right angle 1.75 ID pipe and bring it home test then trim and everything looks good finally. I get everything in place I fill the radiator start the car and let it go for about 20 minutes one minor leak and I notice the lower radiator hose looks a little loose so I tighten it and sure as **** steaming hot water/coolant pours all over me (I did not get burnt). I throw my hands up in disgust go take a shower and call the wife who is was going to Walmart. I was asking her to pick up some coolant and trans fluid. She had already went so we drive down there after she gets home. I put everything in the garage and go inside.

Next morning I put everything back together fit it back tighten everything down and take it for a drive around the neighborhood one small leak when I get back nothing serious. Yay so I go to work. Everything looks great no leaks system is staying cool. Awesome. Run a few errands later in the afternoon. Get back to the office and I am smelling coolant ****. The damn belt rubbed a hole. So back to oreilly for a short tube to fix it.

Just finished ran it for about 20 minutes it all looks good. Now the belt is about 1 to 1.5 inches from the metal tube so even if it does rub it is a metal tube.

If it could go wrong it did. Please I am not telling this story criticism. I simply wanted to tell others my frustration.