Replacing the radiator in a 2005 Elantra

Discussion in 'Hyundai Elantra / Lantra' started by Leythos, Jun 21, 2009.

  1. Leythos

    Leythos Guest

    My son got into a slight accident that cause the top mounting pin
    sticking up on the radiator to break off and expose a hole through the
    top of the radiator - the mounting bracket is fine, there appears to be
    nothing bent and it's just that plastic pin that appears to have snapped
    off.

    I can purchase a new Radiator from Advanced Auto Parts for about $200.
    It appears to be just a few hose connections, a couple connectors for
    the fans, and little else...

    Anyone done this and care to share their snags or other insight?
     
    Leythos, Jun 21, 2009
    #1
  2. Leythos

    Mike Marlow Guest

    Replacing a radiator is pretty much as straight forward as it would appear
    to be. Do be prepared though, after you're done, you may find yourself
    wrestling with evacuating all of the air from the system. Trapped air can
    cause the water pump not to circulate the coolant properly, and it may tend
    to want to overheat until you get all of the air out. It will likely take
    cycles of running it, topping off the coolant, shutting it down, topping off
    the coolant, ad nauseum. Squeezing the radiator hoses can sometimes help
    move the air bubbles, sometimes not.

    Take the opportunity though, to flush the system and put new coolant in.
    You can flush it with just a garden hose and clear water. Sometimes the
    garden hose is useful in pushing the trapped air through the block and out
    to atmosphere.
     
    Mike Marlow, Jun 21, 2009
    #2
  3. Leythos

    Leythos Guest

    Thanks for the feedback - it appears that in addition to the
    transmission cooling that there are brackets that pass something on the
    front side of the Radiator unit - I can't see without taking the grill
    off, but on the left/right side there are aluminum/silver colored metal
    with two sets of connection on the passenger side - they run around to
    the back side of the engine and down under... I thought it was the
    transmission at first, but one of the lines has a cap with a H on it,
    like some of the cooling systems do in other vehicles...

    As I typed the above, I wonder if the "H" represents Heating, as in a
    heater core line for heating in the cold vs. an AC line?
     
    Leythos, Jun 21, 2009
    #3
  4. Leythos

    hyundaitech Guest

    The a/c evaporator is bolted to the radiator. Once you remove the
    fans, you'll need to remove the four screws attaching the radiator to
    the evaporator. There will be two in the top of the radiator and one
    on each side facing rearward. After doing this, you'll be able to
    leave the evaporator in place while removing the radiator.
     
    hyundaitech, Jun 23, 2009
    #4
  5. Leythos

    Leythos Guest

    Thanks - I took it to a repair shop where I trust the mechanics and was
    able to get the Radiator, Evep unit (and charged), and headlight
    assembly replaced and out the door for $440....

    That was cheaper than I could even find the parts alone.
     
    Leythos, Jun 24, 2009
    #5
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