This webpage describes how to change a radiator in a 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited with a 4.7 Liter V8 engine. Most other cars have the radiator and cooling system configured in the same way. Be careful when changing the radiator, as the anti-freeze contains glycol which can be very dangerous. Be sure to dispose of the anti-freeze properly and wash your hands thoroughly when finished.

FYI: The normal operating temperature should be approximately 210 degrees

You Will Need:

This is the first step to the process of replacing the radiator. This is a picture of my Jeep before the project began.

Step 1:

Dis-connect the negative cable from the battery.

The reason that I changed my radiator was that it was leaking from the top of the plastic side collector. The anti-freeze was going everwhere underneath the hood of the Jeep, as well as costing me money to fill it up every day (not to mention it was it was ruining the environment).

Step 2:

Start by turning the petcock on the radiator counter-clockwise, which allows the radiator to drain The petcock is on the left side of the radator. (I took a picture of the new radiator to show where it is).

Step 2.5:

This is a picture of the anti-freeze draining out. Be sure that you properly dispose of the anti-freeze. (Don't just dump it in the ground. There are other ways to dispose of it, just ask your local auto parts store).

Step 3:

Take out the screws for the grill. This will aid you in pulling out the old radiator and putting the new one in. However, the grill is connected to the front bumper and will not completely come off (unless you remove the whole front bumper (which I did not do)).

Step 4:

Remove the upper and lower radiator hoses. This is a picture of the upper hose only. The lower radiator hose is located on the right side of the Jeep at the lower part of the engine. You can remove the constant-tension clamps by using a pliers (I replaced the constant-tension clamps by a set of clamps that are tightened down using a flat-head screwdriver, which are much more reliable). The transmission oil cooler lines also need to be removed (remove the rubber hoses from the metal lines that are attached to the radiator. The metal lines do not need to be removed from the radiator itself until the radiator is removed).

Step 5:

Remove the main raidiator screws (which are pictured) and the A/C condensor screws (not pictured, but just in front of the main screws).

Step 6:

The A/C condensor screws, as well as the main radiator screws can be unscrewed by sticking the socket through the grill.(They are both 10mm sockets). After the radiator screws and hoses are removed, the radiator can be yanked out of the Jeep. It does take some muscle to get it out, but it will come out with the electric fan attached or without it attached. (I did remove the fan before I pulled out the radiator, but I installed the new one with the fan attached).

Step 7:

Remove the screws to the front brace. There are 4 - 10mm screws as well as 4 - 5/32" Allen screws (These are actually Torx screws, but the 5/32" allen wrench fits them). Removing the front brace will allow the radiator mounts to clear the brace while the radiator is being removed. Be careful not to break the tabs off that help to hold the grill on (I broke these tabs off by accident, but it does not seem to affect the way that the grill is held on). The radiator and fan assembly can now be completely removed.

This is a picture of the radiator and fan assembly completely removed. While the radiator is out, remove the lower radiator hose, which is attached to the water pump, and replace it with the NEW one (if you got a new one, which you should have!). Wait to tighen the clamps until the radiator is in place.

Step 8:

Re-attach the electric fan assembly to the new radiator and install it into the Jeep. Also, attach the old metal transmission oil lines to the radiator BEFORE the fan assembly is attached (Put teflon tape onto the threads on the radiator so that it does not leak). DO NOT FORGET the transmission oil lines. I forgot to attach the upper line, and it was a pain to attach them after the radiator was installed. (Attach the transmission lines, and then attach the electric fan assembly).

Step 9:

This is a picture of the new radiator installed in the Jeep. Now, screw in the 2 - 10mm screws, which mount the radiator to the frame and the other 2 - 10mm screws which attach the A/C condenser to the radiator. You can then put the 4 - 10mm screws and 4 - 5/32 allen screws back into the front brace.

Step 10:

After the radiator is mounted, attach the NEW hoses and tighten down the NEW clamps. (Do yourself a favor and get rid of the constant-tension clamps and get a set that you tighten with a screwdriver). DO NOT tighten these new clamps too much. Snug is enough. Too tight could result in cutting the hose.

Attach the transmission oil lines and the lower radiator hose to the radiator and tighten it down with a NEW clamp.

Step 11:

The project is completed. Be sure that all the hoses are tight and that you dispose of the anti-freeze properly. You can now fill up the cooling system with a 50/50 mix of anti-freeze/water. My Jeep took almost 6 liters of 50/50 mix total . Fill up the radiator through the radiator itself (It took about 4-5 liters. Attach the battery and start the engine. After driving it, it took another 1-2 liters in the reservoir).

Viewers Comments/Questions:

Jeff wrote:

On the 2000 jeep grand cherokee 4.7 L radiator/ fan removal.  how did you remove the assembly without removing the fan?  I am trying to do the job and the service manual says to use a spanner wrench, which i don't have, to remove the fan, then remove the shroud and fan as one unit.  I would love to do the job without removing the fan, which from your pics it looks like you accomplished.  Any  help would be much appreciated.

My response:

The metal fan is attached to the engine. I was able to remove the radiator, which is attached to the fan shroud, without having to remove the metal fan. I first removed the electric fan and then I was able to remove the radiator by yanking up on the radiator/fan shroud and manuvering the bottom piece of the fan shroud around the metal fan.

Unknown:

What is the normal operating temperature

My response:

Normal operating temperature should be around 200 degrees F....(FYI the thermostat is located in the housing that the lower radiator hose connects to, near the bottom of the engine on the passenger side of the engine).

Eastland:

I have done everything you mentioned, however I am really battling to acess the radiator bolt on the right (looking at the car from the front) There is the intake pipe for the air filter in the engine and a little silver fitting obviously for the aircon in front of that bolt and that too has a bolt that is impossible to reach. Please help! From your pics you didn’t have to take off the grill, fender etc, I am starting to think that might be the only way is to remove all that. Your advice greatly appreciated

My response:

You don't need to remove the grill (the grill is one piece with the entire front bumper, so to do that, you would have to remove the entire front bumper). Are you talking about the bolt that holds the radiator to the frame of the car? If so, that bolt can be accessed by using socket extensions and going through the front grill between the fins of the grill. I would advise that you take the radiator out with the fan shroud attached...Its a pain-in-the-ass otherwise, and the fanshould will crack in many places (I recently removed only the fan shroud to change the water pump gasket).