2022 Ecoboost Radiator Replacement

[rslilly76]

Has anyone replaced the radiator on their Ecoboost yet? If so how bad is it to do? Son's 2022 is leaking and I need to replace.

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[BK007]

Has anyone replaced the radiator on their Ecoboost yet? If so how bad is it to do? Son's 2022 is leaking and I need to replace.

Ai says

Replacing the radiator on a 2022 2.0L EcoBoost engine is a manageable DIY job, but because it is a modern, tightly packed front end, you have to disassemble a decent amount of plastic cladding and structural bracing to lift it out.

The biggest thing to watch out for is that the A/C condenser and the intercooler are bundled right against the radiator. You do not have to open or discharge the A/C lines; you can carefully unbolt the condenser from the radiator frame and swing it out of the way.

Critical Before You Start

• Coolant Spec: The EcoBoost engine requires Motorcraft Yellow Prediluted Coolant (meeting Ford specification WSS-M97B57-A1). Do not mix older orange or generic green coolants into the block.
• The EcoBoost "Burp" Hazard: Modern EcoBoost blocks are notorious for trapping stubborn air pockets in the cylinder head during a refill. If you don't bleed it perfectly, it will hot-spot and overheat. Using a vacuum-lift coolant refiller tool makes this effortless. If doing it manually, you will have to cycle the heater and "burp" the reservoir multiple times.

Step-by-Step Replacement Method


1.Drain the system:15 mins.
Ensure the engine is completely cold. Remove the coolant reservoir cap. Locate the drain petcock valve at the bottom corner of the radiator, open it, and drain the old fluid into a clean pan.
2.Clear upper engine trim:20 mins.
Remove the plastic push-pins securing the upper radiator air shield cover. Disconnect the air intake duct work to give yourself physical clearance above the cooling fan shroud assembly.
3.Disconnect hoses and electrical connectors:15 mins.
Unplug the electrical harness connector going to the cooling fan assembly. Squeeze and slide back the constant-tension spring clamps to remove the upper and lower radiator hoses from the radiator spigots.
4.Isolate the A/C condenser and intercooler:25 mins.
Locate the mounting tabs locking the A/C condenser and the turbocharger intercooler unit to the radiator core frame. Carefully unbolt and slide them off the radiator tabs. Use a bungee cord to suspend the condenser securely so it does not stress the rigid refrigerant lines.
5.Extract the old radiator and swap the fan:15 mins.
Unbolt the upper radiator mounting brackets holding it to the core support. Carefully lift the radiator and attached cooling fan shroud straight up and out of the engine bay. Transfer the electric fan shroud assembly over to your new radiator core.
6.Drop in the new radiator and refill:30 mins.
Lower the new assembly onto the bottom rubber mounting grommets. Reclip the condenser and intercooler, hook up your hoses, and secure the brackets. Refill using fresh Motorcraft Yellow coolant and run the engine with the heat on high to bleed out all trapped air.

Inspection Tip: While you have the hoses off, check the plastic quick-connect fittings and rubber hoses for any soft spots or hairline heat cracks. It's much cheaper and easier to replace a $20 hose now while the entire system is already pulled apart.