DIY 1998 GMC Jimmy Radiator Replacement

The radiator in my wife's 98 Jimmy took a shit so I had to replace it. The cheap plastic end cap cracked at the seams. Who ever thought plastic was a good idea for use in a hot pressurized system should study up more!

I started out well, but then the battery in my camera died, so a "few" steps are missing but you get the general idea. The clips on the coller lines is a good idea and I also like the gasketless thermostat housing. Very nice designs for repair work. You'll agree if you ever twisted off a transmission cooling while trying to loosen it after it has been on the radiator for 100,000 miles!

Overall the Jimmy has been a decent vehicle but it is not my favorite. Problems seem to crop up quite frequently. I have already had to glue the rearview mirror on twice in 2 months! The blower fan took a dump. the water pump failed, the wiper motor shit the bed, the driver's door switch panel pops out when you close the door.......just annoying things that keep me busy working on it.

It does still run great but is terrible on gas, only 13 to 15 mpg. The next needed repair will govern just how much longer I will keep it!

Thanks for watching and please rate and comment..... :)

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• 1998
• 98
• GMC
• Jimmy
• Blazer
• radiator
• repair
• DIY
• replace
• thermostat
• 4.3L
• Vortec

[chadnisha]

Will this work on a '98 Chevy Blazer?

[AllThingzVideo]

@chadnisha should be very similar if not the same.

[tweed187187]

i just got a 99 jimmy and after driving a couple time all most the transmission fluid is gone.nothing on the ground though but all over under the fron end.does this sound like the cooling lines need replaced?i dont have the cash to be getting another tranny.thanks for the vid.

[AllThingzVideo]

@tweed187187 Definitely sounds like the lines. Follow them from the rad to the trans. Do not run the trans low on fluid or you will burn the clutch packs out! The lines r under pressure so if you must use a hose to fix it, double clamp each end and check for leaks. Check fluid with truck running, level, and warm. Top off with quality fluid.

[tweed187187]

@AllThingzVideo yAre you saying if it's the hose and i have to replace them to clamp them first?they are metal lines so i couldnt clamp them.ive been real sick so i havent been able to get back under but when i feal better maybe it will show where its leaking from when i put fluid back in.oh do you know if the bottom of the power steering pump can leak?i know the hose is but i couldnt tell if the wet on the pump came from the hose right beside it or ont,thanks.

[wtl1964]

@8Ball20101 compared to any other suv of its year and size yes the best especialy to build one up chevy is legendary for hiddin power you just got to find em

[chrissymorris83]

the stock radiators on the chevy's from 98 to 2004 wer prone to cracking....and so i just payed 20 bucks more and got an all aluminum 4 core radiator.....did it just like you did

[MultiBoris2010]

Ok thanks I will check that out. Thanks for the info.

[AllThingzVideo]

@MultiBoris2010 Not specifically. Some of these models have an interior light over ride switch. You push it to keep the interoir lights off for when you're doing things like vacuuming it out or working with the door open. Look in your owner's manual. Check the switch that dims and turns on the interior lights. Near it might be a switch to activate this function. Sometimes its not obvious what a button does or one button has several functions.

[MultiBoris2010]

@AllThingzVideo do you have any info on 97 chevy blazer. I had many electrical problems mainly the interior lights not working unless the truck is switched on. Any ideas?