just take the shroud off to give you a little bit of room to work leave the radiator in
The radiator shroud.
It helps the fan cool the radiator by funneling the air.
No but sometimes it makes it easier The serpentine belt is easily removed without removing the fan shroud This has to be accomplished by using a tensioner wrench
Drain the radiator on the 1988 Cavalier. Take of the water pump belt. If the fan and shroud are in the way then remove them. unbolt and remove the pump. Bolt up the new pump and put the belt back on. Put the shroud and fan on if they were removed. Fill the radiator back up.
The plastic shroud behind the radiator usually covering the fan blades
If it has a properly fitted fan shroud, it doesn't matter how close the fan blades are to the radiator. If there is no fan shroud the fan blades will have to be within a couple of inches of the radiator.
On 4.0L engine, it is a yellow-plastic threaded plug, seen at bottom, passenger-side of radiator, and faces toward rear. The yellow plug is visible from underneath, through an inspection hole in the protective shroud. Shroud is held by 4 small bolts that are easily removed to provide access.
To remove the radiator do the following. 1. drain the radiator. 2. remove both the upper and lower raditator hoses from the radiator. 3. disconnect the automatic transmission lines 4. unbolt the retaining screws for the fan shroud. ***** (see note below ) 5. lift up on the shroud and move shroud towards the engine ( it is generally not nessisary to totally remove the shroud ) 6. lift radiator out. To reinstall or install new radiator reverse the ( start at #6 thru #1 ) order and remember you're reattaching NOT removing. **** Note: Be sure the bottom of the shroud remounts into the holding garments in the cross member so the shroud is secured in place.
The petcock is on the right side of the radiator(drivers side). It is not in the back of the radiator, it is on the side underneath all the shrouding. Cannot see it unless you do remove the plastic shroud. Also it is plastic and on mine removed easily to drain water.
It SHOULD be on the shroud above the radiator if it hasn't been removed. OR on the underside of the hood. IF all that fails, go to Autozone.
it doesn't have to be removed, but it does help
To direct the air flow through the radiator.