Expert: Roland Finston - 11/10/2011

Question
Hello:

I am trying to remove my 2002 Chrysler T&C radiator.  It has a 3.3L Flex Fuel Engine.  It has a separate transmission cooler.
I have the top bolts removed and the radiator moves freely, but I can't seem to figure out how to disconnect the lower end of the radiator from the condensor.
Are there bolts down there? Or, is it just some type of press fit?
Thanks for your help in advance.

Answer
Hi Vince,
The steps are:
Disconnect battery negative cable
Remove radiator upper crossmember support
Drain cooling system
Disconnect coolant reserve/recovery hose
Remove vapor purge solenoid from mounting bracket
Remove upper and lower hoses from radiator
Remove the A/C condenser side bracket to radiator attaching screws. These are shown in a figure to be at the upper corner on each side
Separate the radiator from the A/C condenser by lifting upward(it doesn't say which one to lift up!) to disengage from lower mount (these are at the lower corner on each side and it is a slide apart attachment between the two) Allow the condenser to rest in front of the radiator
Radiator can now be lifted free from the engine compartment

Install is the reverse
Be sure air seal is in position before intall of radiator
Slide radiator down into position
Seat the radiator with rubber isolators into the mounting holes provided with 10 lbs of force
Position the A/C condenser into the radiator lower mounts and install upper screws (45 inch-pounds) (this implies that the A/C condenser was lifted up earlier from the radiator in the removal process but???)
....

It looks to me that if you remove the upper corner screws that the A/C condenser and the radiator will separate from one another if you pull up on the radiator while holding the condenser in place. But take a look at the lower corners to see if you can id the connection point between them and figure out which to lift and which to hold down.
I can send you a page from the '04 manual that I have on CD if this isn't sufficient.
To do that you need to ask a NEW question (not a follow-up where-in you tell me your email address. Then check the box to make this new question PRIVATE.
Roland
PS Let me know which way they separate. Thanks