Hi all! I have a 2008 HHR 2.4L automatic. After waiting 3 weeks for someone who's supposed to come and remove my old radiator and install the new one I bought, I'm now trying to figure out if I can do this myself. I'm the farthest thing from a pro but I have repaired minor things on my vehicles before.


My son has most of the tools I would need and has no problem letting momma use them (and probably wouldn't mind helping me if he's off work), and I've found instructions on AutoZone's website, instructions from the Chilton's General Motors HHR 2006-11 Repair Manual (borrowed it online and took screenshots of the relevant pages), and a video on YouTube from TRQ.


The TRQ video is great and shows the guy following pretty much exactly the steps in the Chiltons Manual (more or less removing the hood latch, disconnecting some brackets, lines, and hoses, moving the fan and shroud out of the way, lifting radiator out, same steps in reverse to put the new one in).


The instructions on the AutoZone website however, make it seem slightly more complicated. They mention removing the left front wheelhouse to access the lower transmissin line (which the guy in the video accessed from above) and torquing some of the bolts to a specific weight (which isn't mention in the Chiltons nor in the TRQ video).


I was just wondering if anyone has ever replaced their own radiator in this model, if I really need a torque wrench, and if I really need to remove the wheelhouse. Thanks for reading and I appreciate any insight.

 

You can check the threads right below the reply box, "related topics ".

 

Not a big deal. remove the hoses and the trans cooling lines then remove the 2 bolts at the top. then lift it out. Might need to disconnect a few other bits, but your eyes should tell you what.
Don't over think, it is simple R&R, no scary computers involved.
Here is a pdf:
radiator replacement.pdf

 

Consider replacing the hoses connected to the radiator. They are old.