StreetAndDirt
New member
My job report
Well, I just did this replacement yesterday and today. This thread helped immensely!
It always takes me longer than is usually listed to do these jobs. I’m probably a bit to cautious. I had some hiccups but it took me a total of about 9 hours.
I wanted to share some of my struggles (while it’s still fresh in my mind) in the hope that it might help someone else.
First thing that was strange is when I opened the Pet cock to drain the radiator fluid I got absolutely nothing to come out:surprise: Next I messed around a bit figuring out how to not make a mess draining the fluid. I was able to setup a funnel just below the link between that small water pump hose (OP suggested removing this hose), then pull it apart and get most of the coolant coming out of both ends into a catch pan.
All the detailed steps and picture in the original post where AWESOME! :thumb:
I struggled a lot with getting connectors undone. It was super frustrating. I actually started questioning whether I should have just gone to the dealer, bet jeez... $1100!! I finally was able to get them by releasing the secondary lock, then push the connectors together firmly, then pull them away. :drama: The upper connector on the oil cooler still gave me some fits but I used a large blade screwdriver and gently pried a bit and it came loose.
I was concerned about removing the fuel line, but that turned out to be the easiest part of the process. It works just as described in the write up. Also, I saw some YouTube videos where the fuel bars and injectors were removed. I’M SO GLAD I DIDN’’T HAVE TO DO THAT!
The biggest pain for me, and it was my fault, was I rounded off one of the screw heads that holds the old oil cooler in place. Grrrrr! :banghead: the head is an E8 Torx (external torx). I’m not sure if it’s here or somewhere else I saw that you could use a 12 point 1/4” socket. Well, I only had 6 point sockets and it looked like it would work. I was able to get all but one off and that one stripped. I tried a vice grip on it without any luck. Finally went to the auto parts store and bought some bolt extractors, the smallest 1/4” one worked great. I tapped it down with a hammer first and it pulled the screw right out. Also, I bought an external torx set for the next time, and torquing the new oil filter on.
Mine appeared to be leaking for quite a while because there was quite a bit of sludge built up. Probably a mixture of oil and dirt collected over 7 years.
Thanks for this write up it made the job much, much easier!!
Well, I just did this replacement yesterday and today. This thread helped immensely!
It always takes me longer than is usually listed to do these jobs. I’m probably a bit to cautious. I had some hiccups but it took me a total of about 9 hours.
I wanted to share some of my struggles (while it’s still fresh in my mind) in the hope that it might help someone else.
First thing that was strange is when I opened the Pet cock to drain the radiator fluid I got absolutely nothing to come out:surprise: Next I messed around a bit figuring out how to not make a mess draining the fluid. I was able to setup a funnel just below the link between that small water pump hose (OP suggested removing this hose), then pull it apart and get most of the coolant coming out of both ends into a catch pan.
All the detailed steps and picture in the original post where AWESOME! :thumb:
I struggled a lot with getting connectors undone. It was super frustrating. I actually started questioning whether I should have just gone to the dealer, bet jeez... $1100!! I finally was able to get them by releasing the secondary lock, then push the connectors together firmly, then pull them away. :drama: The upper connector on the oil cooler still gave me some fits but I used a large blade screwdriver and gently pried a bit and it came loose.
I was concerned about removing the fuel line, but that turned out to be the easiest part of the process. It works just as described in the write up. Also, I saw some YouTube videos where the fuel bars and injectors were removed. I’M SO GLAD I DIDN’’T HAVE TO DO THAT!
The biggest pain for me, and it was my fault, was I rounded off one of the screw heads that holds the old oil cooler in place. Grrrrr! :banghead: the head is an E8 Torx (external torx). I’m not sure if it’s here or somewhere else I saw that you could use a 12 point 1/4” socket. Well, I only had 6 point sockets and it looked like it would work. I was able to get all but one off and that one stripped. I tried a vice grip on it without any luck. Finally went to the auto parts store and bought some bolt extractors, the smallest 1/4” one worked great. I tapped it down with a hammer first and it pulled the screw right out. Also, I bought an external torx set for the next time, and torquing the new oil filter on.
Mine appeared to be leaking for quite a while because there was quite a bit of sludge built up. Probably a mixture of oil and dirt collected over 7 years.
Thanks for this write up it made the job much, much easier!!
