Great job on the radiator replacement. It is great when you come across a company that has thought about what it needs to do to make a part that can fit all versions of the car
I remember when one part fix every car of that model for that year and a couple years ether direction not six different parts and configuration for one year . Give me a 55 Ford or Chevy anytime . Thanks for sharing George .
Thanks for the upload! I did this using a Haynes repair manual and had no problem. Except, everything is kinda loose. This cause my new radiator to get a small micro crack in it due to a small part on the bottom of the fan. Its a little bigger than a hair line crack and at first, the leak would cause me to have to top off every day but then after a few days the coolant would drain from the reservoir pretty much instantly. I lost one of the bottom rubber mounts in an accident, and the other one broke off a few days ago. Maybe to transmission fluid and coolant leaking on it or just old wear and tear. Anyway, I will be purchasing new bottom mounts. Pretty expensive for small rubber parts. But i just now noticed that there seemed to be spots at the top that also had different shaped rubber mounts. Thing is, the little parts on the radiator that should slide in the mounts up there (like they sit in the mounts at the bottom) are sitting too low and not reaching the mounts. I think this, and of course, the mounts at the bottom missing is the reason for it sitting so loosely. Was yours sturdy? My radiator seems to be just resting on top of the metal brackets. Any advice? Thanks
@TheShadeTreeFixitMan My problem is the fan won't fit into the tabs/slots of the radiator. I don't know if it's because I got an aftermarket radiator or what 😭
Oh the joys of working on modern vehicles. The last Saturn I worked on I put an engine in it.... For a buddy of mine, You guys looked like you had a fun time working on that Saturn.
We refilled it through the overflow tank, keeping an eye on it for when the thermostat opened. After road testing we checked it again. It's been going for nearly a week now and still working well. Thank you Fernando.
Great video George this should help a lot of people needing to do this on this car. You should of had Andrew under the car with Mike and just told them what to do your getting like me to old to be under a car working that hard. LOL
Did you add any transmission fluid for the about 4 ounces that came out of the radiator when disconnecting the transmission lines? And if so how do you add more?
We didn't lose a sufficient amount to need adding. If we had had to, it would have been done through the fill tube or dipstick tube. Good question and thanks for stopping by.
If you watched the video all the way through you would see that we used an 18mm wrench to remove/install the cooling lines into the radiator. Glad to help and thanks for watching.
Did you remove the included zip connectors that were screwed in from the factory? This was our second radiator and we still have the first. Make sure your vehicle is the same as the one we were working on. I tried to find adapters at the local parts store and was unsuccessful. Without seeing your parts and pieces it's hard to tell you what to do next. If you want to send me pics of your radiator fittings and your coolant lines compared, then I may be able to help. You can email me at: theshadetreefixitman@gmail.com
I think it was 2 gallons of 50% mix of water and coolant, but it will depend on how much you drain out of your system in your project. Thanks for stopping by
@@steveesposito There is a level indicator by removing the inspection bolt, as per the video. There is also a bolt/plug on top of the transmission to fill the tranny fluid. The inspection plug is down low on the side of the transmission just above the pan, as per the video and the fill plug is on top of the transmission, as per the video. Hope this helps.
@theshadetreefix-itman Sooo I have a question I bought this radiator from this link and got the radiator because I have the same exact car....but when trying to put the radiator on the transmission line it doesnt fit it's like the transmission line only goes so far down.....if you could give me any advice it would be very helpful
Does your car have the quick connects? It sounds like it. Evidently there is a possibility of both kinds of connections. I hope you can find the solution. Thanks for stopping by.
www.buyaradiator.com/products/2004-saturn-ion-2-2-l-radiator-miz-2608 is the link that was in the description, which is where we bought the right radiator. Thanks for stopping by. Hope your project goes smoothly.
I did this a while ago, but if memory serves me correctly, I believe that transmission line is a 17mm wrench...but I could be wrong, since this was a couple of years ago now (I think). Thanks for stopping by.
We bought a radiator watched your video, did everything right but the holes on the hoses are to small for the holes on radiator. We bought a 2.2 is there a difference between 2.0 and 2.2?
You have the better of situations. I bought 2 radiators, my first the hoses were too big for the radiator holes. You probably can get adapters to make your hoses work with the radiator you have. There is a difference between 2.0 & 2.2, and even which transmission you have in your car. Hope you can get it working again. Thanks for stopping by.
Not good, unfortunately. He is back in the hospital with pneumonia. They are draining the fluid from his lungs and around his heart and probably will continue to do so until the end of this week. Thanks for asking
Great job on the radiator replacement. It is great when you come across a company that has thought about what it needs to do to make a part that can fit all versions of the car
You got that right. Thanks for stopping by.
You turned a not-so-fun job into a fun job with the family. Great work.
Everyone did get involved and even learned a couple of things along the way. Thanks Terry
I remember when one part fix every car of that model for that year and a couple years ether direction not six different parts and configuration for one year . Give me a 55 Ford or Chevy anytime . Thanks for sharing George .
I'm with you on that one for sure. Thanks for stopping by.
Thanks for the upload!
I did this using a Haynes repair manual and had no problem. Except, everything is kinda loose. This cause my new radiator to get a small micro crack in it due to a small part on the bottom of the fan. Its a little bigger than a hair line crack and at first, the leak would cause me to have to top off every day but then after a few days the coolant would drain from the reservoir pretty much instantly.
I lost one of the bottom rubber mounts in an accident, and the other one broke off a few days ago. Maybe to transmission fluid and coolant leaking on it or just old wear and tear.
Anyway, I will be purchasing new bottom mounts. Pretty expensive for small rubber parts. But i just now noticed that there seemed to be spots at the top that also had different shaped rubber mounts. Thing is, the little parts on the radiator that should slide in the mounts up there (like they sit in the mounts at the bottom) are sitting too low and not reaching the mounts. I think this, and of course, the mounts at the bottom missing is the reason for it sitting so loosely. Was yours sturdy? My radiator seems to be just resting on top of the metal brackets. Any advice?
Thanks
Your radiator should fit snuggly in place otherwise it will wear the tanks out and give you more leaks. Thanks for stopping by.
@TheShadeTreeFixitMan
My problem is the fan won't fit into the tabs/slots of the radiator. I don't know if it's because I got an aftermarket radiator or what 😭
Nicely done. Glad you found the correct radiator/fittings.
Thanks so much Moe.
Thank you bunches for making this video!!!
You are entirely welcome and thank you for stopping by the carport today.
Great video and important tips to whoever will try to replace radiator of the same make. Thanks for sharing
Thank you for taking the time to stop by.
Oh the joys of working on modern vehicles. The last Saturn I worked on I put an engine in it.... For a buddy of mine, You guys looked like you had a fun time working on that Saturn.
No more engine swaps for this old man... Thanks for stopping by
I was living in TN just 45min south of the Saturn plant back when they started building it. When it opened a few of our works went to work for them.
Now they have all new jobs I guess, eh? Thanks Dan
Great share George, and great Detail .. Should help some folks out !! ENJOYED..
Thank you Shawn
Good job by the whole crew!! Sounds like the toughest part of the job was getting the correct parts!!☺
You nailed it EJ, that and getting back up off the floor...
@@TheShadeTreeFixitMan I wasn't gonna mention getting off the floor because you did it much better than I do!!☺
Good work George... I feel sure this will help someone in the future...
I hope so too. Thanks so much
Awesome video! Thanks for ya’lls help!
Thank you for stopping by and joining the fun!
Good Job George !!!
Thanks Mike
How did you put the radiator fluid back in
We refilled it through the overflow tank, keeping an eye on it for when the thermostat opened. After road testing we checked it again. It's been going for nearly a week now and still working well. Thank you Fernando.
Great video George this should help a lot of people needing to do this on this car. You should of had Andrew under the car with Mike and just told them what to do your getting like me to old to be under a car working that hard. LOL
Andrew isn't quite mechanical enough to be able to do this kind of stuff. He is a better goffer. LOL Thanks Bob
Did you add any transmission fluid for the about 4 ounces that came out of the radiator when disconnecting the transmission lines? And if so how do you add more?
We didn't lose a sufficient amount to need adding. If we had had to, it would have been done through the fill tube or dipstick tube. Good question and thanks for stopping by.
This video is ultra helpful! Anyone know what size wrench is required to undo the trans fluid lines from the radiator?
If you watched the video all the way through you would see that we used an 18mm wrench to remove/install the cooling lines into the radiator. Glad to help and thanks for watching.
Hi i bought this radiator from the link and fittings are still too big . Basically same radiator i bought from amazon . Not sure what to do any tips?
Did you remove the included zip connectors that were screwed in from the factory? This was our second radiator and we still have the first. Make sure your vehicle is the same as the one we were working on. I tried to find adapters at the local parts store and was unsuccessful. Without seeing your parts and pieces it's hard to tell you what to do next. If you want to send me pics of your radiator fittings and your coolant lines compared, then I may be able to help. You can email me at: theshadetreefixitman@gmail.com
How and how much transmission fluid did you have to replace?
I think it was 2 gallons of 50% mix of water and coolant, but it will depend on how much you drain out of your system in your project. Thanks for stopping by
There is a dipstick to check fluid level. see this video for best explanation: th-cam.com/video/oNwxvYX_Hnw/w-d-xo.html
@@TheShadeTreeFixitMan *transmission* fluid
@@TheShadeTreeFixitMan not on our 2004 Ion, no dipstick in the video you linked to either
@@steveesposito There is a level indicator by removing the inspection bolt, as per the video. There is also a bolt/plug on top of the transmission to fill the tranny fluid. The inspection plug is down low on the side of the transmission just above the pan, as per the video and the fill plug is on top of the transmission, as per the video. Hope this helps.
@theshadetreefix-itman Sooo I have a question I bought this radiator from this link and got the radiator because I have the same exact car....but when trying to put the radiator on the transmission line it doesnt fit it's like the transmission line only goes so far down.....if you could give me any advice it would be very helpful
Does your car have the quick connects? It sounds like it. Evidently there is a possibility of both kinds of connections.
I hope you can find the solution. Thanks for stopping by.
@@TheShadeTreeFixitMan yes I hope so too I'm new to this car thing. But this was a hard radiator to find!! Thanks for your video, helped out a lot!!
Hey what’s the link or info to get the right radiator I’m having a hard time finding 1
www.buyaradiator.com/products/2004-saturn-ion-2-2-l-radiator-miz-2608 is the link that was in the description, which is where we bought the right radiator. Thanks for stopping by. Hope your project goes smoothly.
That’s quite a project of getting a rad replaced, good job though George! Cheers
Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment.
Definitely a project, not like the old days for sure, :)
Boy you can say that again. As another poster commented, give me a 55 Chevy any day! Thanks Tom
Good times had by all
It was fun in spite of the challenges along the way. Thanks Lloyd
What size wrench for trany line?
I did this a while ago, but if memory serves me correctly, I believe that transmission line is a 17mm wrench...but I could be wrong, since this was a couple of years ago now (I think). Thanks for stopping by.
Was this an automatic or a 5 speed?
Automatic, which is why it had coolant lines running into the radiator. Thanks for stopping by.
@@TheShadeTreeFixitMan thank you, your video was very helpful
We bought a radiator watched your video, did everything right but the holes on the hoses are to small for the holes on radiator. We bought a 2.2 is there a difference between 2.0 and 2.2?
You have the better of situations. I bought 2 radiators, my first the hoses were too big for the radiator holes. You probably can get adapters to make your hoses work with the radiator you have. There is a difference between 2.0 & 2.2, and even which transmission you have in your car. Hope you can get it working again. Thanks for stopping by.
Great ending to a tough job. Did you have any trouble purging air from the system?
It seems to be working just fine a day later! Thanks Matt
Good job George, How is BigDawg doing?
Not good, unfortunately. He is back in the hospital with pneumonia. They are draining the fluid from his lungs and around his heart and probably will continue to do so until the end of this week. Thanks for asking
@@TheShadeTreeFixitMan Tell him we're praying for him.
@@dukesworld3020 Thank you so much, Duke
Good job
Thanks so much for stopping by.
Don't you love it when the family arrive with Dad I have a little problem lol
LOL That is the fate of a fellow who was a certified mechanic for a number of years. I enjoy helping them out when I can. Thanks Greg
+ 👍👍👍
Thanks so much.