The wife’s 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited felt left out during Christmas.......

[gsbrockman]

......so I bought it a new radiator.

I guess the wife’s 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited felt left out for Christmas, so it started crying MoPar 10 yr / 150k coolant out of the left side plastic tanks. Kinda sucks as it only has 67,322 miles on it. I sourced a new Murray Temperature Control radiator today, along with two gallons of the proper MoPar coolant concentrate.
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Just like clockwork.....the GC radiator replacement has turned into a job from HELLLLLLLL.

Thinking I could remove the radiator from the top, with removing the upper radiator support section, especially since it is the smaller 3.6L V6, immediately became an act of futility, as I couldn’t separate the a/c condenser from the radiator. They somewhat interlock together, all while using the rubber isolators built into the radiator mounting points.

So....off comes the fascia. I then got the old radiator out, notice the new one has no drain plug, and decided to transfer the old one to the new radiator. NO bueno.....not even remotely the same diameter or thread pitch.

I guess I’ll be taking it in the sphincter until tomorrow morning until I can get a straight answer from someone at Oreillys.
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[Topzide]

@gsbrockman ,Never fails! I've run into that so many times, it's lost the humor! I've gotten to the point that I order new drain plugs with items needing the anymore. Only time I take a chance and don't is on a factory replacement part. Then still taking a chance since a different vendor could be supplying! Hope it doesn't turn into more of a project than it already has! Good luck!

 

[gsbrockman]

@gsbrockman ,Never fails! I've run into that so many times, it's lost the humor! I've gotten to the point that I order new drain plugs with items needing the anymore. Only time I take a chance and don't is on a factory replacement part. Then still taking a chance since a different vendor could be supplying! Hope it doesn't turn into more of a project than it already has! Good luck!

It’s all downhill from here!!! Making a few phone calls now; May end up just going with an OE unit from a dealership.

 

[bcbender]

Never a dull moment around here either GS... I think sometimes they plot or pine for attention.. I will say I cannot stand the resin tank radiators, have had several over the years fail and normally its a "surprise" tank crack failure, only once did I have one leak from the oring on the core to tank interface. Best of luck on that job.. and incase the Jeep hasn't told you... Happy New Year.

 

[GrantP]

My sons '03 JGC is doing the same thing right now. This will be replacement radiator #3. I feel your pain.

 

[Cummins12V98]

I am surprised you didn't go OE from the start. Unfortunately the aftermarket are inferior in some way as that is why they cost less. Personally I would look for the best price on OE with that much time invested I wouldn't want to tear it apart again.

 

[gsbrockman]

I am surprised you didn't go OE from the start. Unfortunately the aftermarket are inferior in some way as that is why they cost less. Personally I would look for the best price on OE with that much time invested I wouldn't want to tear it apart again.

I would normally agree with you (Imagine that!) but at $540.32 for new OE and $198.00 aftermarket....and only 67,322 miles of use on the OE one....although it is a 2015 model.....I’m not impressed enough with going OE radiator in this particular instance.

 

[Tuesdak]

^^^ This a easy job or is there $300 of PIA R&R if the aftermarket don't fit/last?

I use online MOPAR wholesaler departments that advertise online to save some coin. Some even let you pick parts up in person vs. having to wait for it to be shipped to your door. (That dealer was my 1st choice when looking for a new RAM pickup. The non-optional $500 bedliner markups didn't fly as it wasn't even installed when I drove the truck.)

Some fun highlights of the low aftermarket bidder:
Radiator cap sucks hoses flat on aftermarket radiator as it don't fit well.
Trans oil floating on coolant from leaking oil cooler in new aftermarket radiator "repaired" and shop that sold it claimed no-problems found. Dropped the trans pan and photographed coolant in the bottom of it... I did not need the heartburn of MORE work and doing the job over. Then the fight over liability for dumping coolant into and trashing the trans. (OEM had a leaking side tank crack.)

Even the all aluminum Ron Davis radiators get pulled out for service now and then.

 

[gsbrockman]

Radiator Drama From HELLLLLLLLLLLLL......a continuing saga

Short story..... this Dorman style draincockk,

although fitting the threads, didn’t work as the tank has a nipple on the bottom of the tank and actually requires more of a bolt style drain plug to prevent coolant loss. Naturally......didn’t start refilling system with coolant until the condenser and radiator fan assembly were mated with the new radiator, and that’s when the issue reared its ugleeeee head. About 40 miles pissed away (round trip) this morning.....

Everyone at O’Reilly Auto was left scratching their heads. There was no Dorman product available in any stores to test (although we suspected a 61114 might have worked)
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So I ended up maintaining my cool and went to Lexington, Ky for a known radiator with a known draincockkk already installed.

Another 120 miles or so round trip.....

Wife has some meatballs prepared for me....so it’s off for some comfort food before I engage with the Radiator From HELLLLLLL once again.....

 

[bcbender]

dang, sorry that is ridiculous. I'll hoist an IPA for you~!

 

[gsbrockman]

dang, sorry that is ridiculous. I'll hoist an IPA for you~!

Going back together easily now.......

 

[Cummins12V98]

My Dad and I both developed the attitude that issues happen to us and to just keep pushing forward and all will become well in our worlds when it comes to automotive repairs.

Hope you are honing in on the completion or your PITA project.

 

[gsbrockman]

My Dad and I both developed the attitude that issues happen to us and to just keep pushing forward and all will become well in our worlds when it comes to automotive repairs.

Hope you are honing in on the completion or your PITA project.

Exactly!!!!

Instead of throwing schitttttttt......like I did many years ago, I simply walk away, then return about :10 later. I think I’ve done that about 8 times on this project

It’s almost done....short of some trim work.

 

[gsbrockman]

Various pics of the draincock from HELLLLLLLLL.....and a nice bleed screw on the upper housing assembly.

Project is all DONE and everything is back together. I actually didn’t even have to burp it any after a 24 mile drive. I will double check the actual radiator level and the overflow reservoir one last time sometime tomorrow.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Another "Happy Ending On The TDR"

 

[gsbrockman]

Another "Happy Ending On The TDR"

Discovered the oil life was down to 25% remaining, so it’s getting an oil change with 5W20 Castrol EDGE synthetic, a MoPar MO349 oil filter, and a tire rotation....primarily because it’ll be easier now at 61°F TODAY than in a few weeks at 20°F and six inches of snow on the ground, although I could do it in the garage.

 

[gsbrockman]

Decided I’d add some camber kits.......so I could be like the Kooool Kiddddzzzzz nowadays.

 

[Ozymandias]

Where was the leak on the old radiator?

 

[gsbrockman]

Where was the leak on the old radiator?

I guess the wife’s 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited felt left out for Christmas, so it started crying MoPar 10 yr / 150k coolant out of the left side plastic tanks.

 

[Learjet]

I tighten the crimps on Nissan Titan radiator that was leaking a little at the end cap...didn't require any disassembly due to location...lasted for many years until I sold it.