1.4L Radiator Replacement???

[TxSkyREDLINE]

2015 Sonic RS - Automatic:
Searched the forum...
Found nothing about R&R of the Radiator.

You Tube= 1 older gentleman that removed everything except the rear brakes to change the Radiator and it wasn't very cohesive...

All other links go to the Cruze (even though I searched for Sonic)

Is this @ sign that no one has ever successfully replaced a rad on this forum? Or I about to enter "Hell Weekend" figuring this out?
Anyone have any links?

Thanks in advance for any direction on this.

 

[TxSkyREDLINE]

117 Views and "Crickets"... appears my Weekend will be a lot longer than I wanted.
My Continued search for Fan/Intercooler/Radiator links has been thin at best.

-Found a helpful "To-Do" from DDM Works on Intercooler removal...

-But still stuck with a Fan Wedged between the Turbo and Radiator...

-The Radiator limited to movement due to the Condenser in the way...

There has got to be a "mechanics trick" to getting this out without removing the turbo &/or discharging the AC and removing the Condenser...

Guess I will continue to talk to myself as I figure this out (At least I know ONE Person id listening to me... lol)

 

[BigLee]

I've replaced mine.
Remove bumper cover, lower splash shield, cooling fan, air deflectors,, transmission cooler lines, radiator hoses, detach intercooler and condenser from radiator, remove lower "bumper" rail/guard, or whatever it's called.
Many completely remove the intercooler, but I left mine just hanging by the hoses.
Same for the condenser, I didn't discharge and remove it.
It's tight, but just take your time and don't force the radiator in or out.
Helps to have someone to assist with sliding the radiator out and back in place.
Also, string or bungee straps can help keep the condenser pulled out of the way.
And make sure car is jacked up high enough for the radiator to slide all the way out...

 

[TxSkyREDLINE]

Thanks BigLee...
I was down to removing the Radiator when I wrote my last post. The Lower Rad hose would not release from its quick connect couplers. Once I sacrificed the hose and cut it in half everything else almost fell out while finessing the condenser to pull the Radiator.
God Bless "Evaluate & Repair" on you tube for plunging into this job with little to no factory manual directions.
I am now 95% reassembled (couple hours every night after work). Just need to put the bumper cap/headlights back in and bleed the air from the system.

I will definitely be posting a "Step by Step" Removal & Install with the tricks I figured out along the way. I any just shocked with as large as the Sonic Community is online here and multiple Fakebook sites that there is nothing Clearly posted.

 

[Jski]

Thanks BigLee...
I was down to removing the Radiator when I wrote my last post. The Lower Rad hose would not release from its quick connect couplers. Once I sacrificed the hose and cut it in half everything else almost fell out while finessing the condenser to pull the Radiator.
God Bless "Evaluate & Repair" on you tube for plunging into this job with little to no factory manual directions.
I am now 95% reassembled (couple hours every night after work). Just need to put the bumper cap/headlights back in and bleed the air from the system.

I will definitely be posting a "Step by Step" Removal & Install with the tricks I figured out along the way. I any just shocked with as large as the Sonic Community is online here and multiple Fakebook sites that there is nothing Clearly posted.

I realize this is an old thread but do you have the step by step for radiator removal?

I came here for the same reason you do back in 2021. My YouTube results garnered the same as you. I also found the old guy and was incredulous at everything he was disassembling.

I am a Master Tech with over 25 years experience; my wife’s 2016 LTZ hatchback 1.4T needs a radiator. Today I looked at it in earnest to plan for the job; I already knew from observation during other jobs it would be a bitch so instead of wasting time and frustration figuring it out myself, I came to the forum.

Hopefully almost 2 years later you’re still around and could give me any “mechanics tips” you may have uncovered.

Thanks!

Justin

 

[Georgia Boy]

They make it hard so you will take it to your friendly fkn Chevy dealer!