- 1). Open the hood of your Chevy truck and locate the radiator hoses. There is one at the top of the radiator and one at the bottom. Inspect the hoses to determine which one you need to change.
- 2). Open the radiator cap and set it aside. Locate the drain petcock on the base of the passenger side of the radiator. Slide a drain pan under it and turn the petcock counterclockwise to open it. You may need an adjustable wrench to turn it.
- 3). Allow the coolant to drain from the radiator into the clean drain pan until it falls below the level of the hose you will be changing. If you are changing the bottom radiator hose, you will need to drain the entire cooling system.
- 4). Remove the hose clamp from the radiator end of the hose you are changing, loosening the hose clamp with a flat-head screwdriver, then sliding the clamp up the hose. Move the opposite end of the hose, loosen the second clamp with your screwdriver, and slide it up the hose as well.
- 5). Remove the hose from the radiator and engine by pulling the ends off the fittings. Remove the clamps from the hose and set them aside. Discard the hose.
- 6). Slide the hose clamps onto the new hose, then position the ends of the hoses on the fittings on the radiator and engine. Slide the hose clamps out to the ends of the radiator hose. Tighten them both using a flat-head screwdriver. Do not over-tighten them or you will damage the hose.
- 7). Refill the radiator with the coolant you removed from the system if it is clean. Replace it with new coolant if it is dirty. Close the radiator cap and start the engine. Let it run until it comes up to normal operating temperature, then check the coolant level. Add more if needed until full.
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