Installation Procedure

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 Buick Regal and 2003 Buick Century. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Install the radiator to the lower mounts.

Fig 1: Installing Radiator To Lower Mounts
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Install the transaxle oil cooler pipes.

Fig 2: Installing Transaxle Oil Cooler Pipes
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

IMPORTANT: Install new retaining rings into the quick connect fittings.
Ensure the following procedures are performed when installing the new retaining ring onto the fitting.
Hook one of the open ends of the retaining ring in one of the slots in the quick connect fitting.

Fig 3: Hooking Retaining Ring In Quick Connect Fitting Slot
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Rotate the retaining ring around the fitting until the retaining ring is positioned with all three ears through the three slots on the fitting.

Fig 4: Aligning Retaining Ring In Quick Connect Fitting
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

IMPORTANT: DO NOT Push the new retaining ring onto the fitting.
Installing the retaining ring on to the fitting this way will bend the retaining ring.

Fig 5: Illustrating Improper Retaining Ring Installation
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Ensure that the three retaining ring ears are seen from inside the fitting and that the retaining ring moves freely in the fitting slots.

Fig 6: Locating Properly Installed Retaining Ring Ears Inside Fitting Slots
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Install the transaxle oil cooler pipes into the radiator quick connect fitting.

Fig 7: Installing Transaxle Oil Cooling Pipe Into Radiator Quick Connect Fitting
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Insert the transaxle oil cooler pipe ends into the quick connect fitting until you hear or feel a click.

Fig 8: Inserting Transaxle Oil Cooler Pipe Ends Into Quick Connect Fitting (Sectional View)
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Do not use the plastic cap on the transaxle oil cooler pipe in order to install the transaxle oil cooler pipe into the fitting.

Fig 9: Identifying Plastic Cap On Transaxle Oil Cooler Pipe (Sectional View)
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Pull back sharply on the transaxle oil cooler pipe in order to ensure that the transaxle oil cooler pipe is fastened into the quick connect fitting.
Position the plastic cap onto the fitting. Do not manually depress the retaining ring when installing the plastic cap onto the quick connect fitting.
Fully seat the plastic cap against the fitting.

Fig 10: View Of Properly Installed Plastic Cap Onto Quick Connect Fitting (Sectional View)
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Allow no gap between the cap and the fitting.

Fig 11: Identifying Gap Between Plastic Cap & Quick Connect Fitting
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Ensure that the yellow identification band on the tube is hidden within the quick connect fitting. A hidden yellow identification band indicates proper joint seating.

Fig 12: Locating Yellow Identification Band In Quick Connect Fitting
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

NOTE: Do NOT overfill the transaxle. The overfilling of the transaxle causes foaming, loss of fluid, shift complaints, and possible damage to the transaxle.
Adjust the fluid level.
Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to LIFTING AND JACKING THE VEHICLE in General Information.
Install the outlet hose to the radiator.
Use J 38185 to install the outlet hose clamp to the radiator.
Install the lower air deflector. Refer to RADIATOR AIR BAFFLE AND DEFLECTOR REPLACEMENT - LOWER .
Lower the vehicle.
Install the cooling fan assembly. Refer to COOLING FAN REPLACEMENT - ELECTRIC .

Fig 13: Installing Cooling Fan Assembly
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Fill the cooling system. Refer to DRAINING AND FILLING COOLING SYSTEM .
Install the battery. Refer to BATTERY REPLACEMENT in Battery.