my 2002 3.4 radiator just went!
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 85
ok, i see not many people responded so i took the plunge and attempted to do it. changed the thermostat, which was "broken" believe it or not. literally in two pieces in the housing unit!
well, as i was attempting to hook up the tranny lines, they did not fit. they are different sizes. now, i have access to the old lines. can i easily swap them? can u cut the old ones and clamp them onto the new lines without worry of them leaking?
well, as i was attempting to hook up the tranny lines, they did not fit. they are different sizes. now, i have access to the old lines. can i easily swap them? can u cut the old ones and clamp them onto the new lines without worry of them leaking?
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 12,601
From: Mentor, Ohio
Sorry, I have been a way. The radiators are interchangeable, but you just found the trap. Via the different years, GM made changes on the trans lines despite the same trans with the LA1/L36/L67.
I know in my '04 Monte, GM used "easy connect" fittings (you need to remove a retaining clip and the line slides out, re-install the clip and snap the line back in), but in 2000 they were still using standard fittings. It you are dealing with the easy connect fittings, I don't know if you can simply swap the nut part of the fitting from the radiators.
I know in my '04 Monte, GM used "easy connect" fittings (you need to remove a retaining clip and the line slides out, re-install the clip and snap the line back in), but in 2000 they were still using standard fittings. It you are dealing with the easy connect fittings, I don't know if you can simply swap the nut part of the fitting from the radiators.
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 85
Success! After viewing several you tube videos, one showed me to simply remove the retaining clips on the nipples and perform an easy swap! I was up and running in minutes! The only hard part was the thermostat. Why the hell would chevy make.a.once easy job so frigging complicated???
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 12,601
From: Mentor, Ohio
Yeah, the t-stat on the 3100/3400 is in an annoying spot. I always pull the throttle body to get to it and others pull the cross over pipe. Takes me about 1 hour to get that job done.
I should have recommended, change the water pump while the coolant is out. They are pretty cheap on the 3400 (I got one new from the parts store for $15, no core and it had a better impeller).
I should have recommended, change the water pump while the coolant is out. They are pretty cheap on the 3400 (I got one new from the parts store for $15, no core and it had a better impeller).
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 85
wow....things took a turn for the worse! i noticed some dripping from my radiator, but it wasnt anti freeze. it was tranny fluid! i quickly popped the hood and saw my tranny coolant lines were leaking bigtime!! i noticed that the line had some "play" where it sits in the fitting. what can i do???
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 12,601
From: Mentor, Ohio
Is this the quick connect fittings? If so, there might be a seal that needs replaced.
Also, if you have the old lines, you may want to compare the ends with the ones you installed. There may be subtle differences.
Also, if you have the old lines, you may want to compare the ends with the ones you installed. There may be subtle differences.
