Radiator questions

[DavidL]

I have a 99 Taurus with the OHV engine. A few nights ago my son hit a dog and coolant started pouring out of the radiator. It looks like the leak is where the plastic section joins the metal radiator on the passenger side. Apparently the impact was hard enough to break the seal between the plastic and metal sections at the bottom near where the discharge hose connects. Now I have to figure out what I want to do about it. Here are a few questions:

1. Is it safe to assume that the entire radiator has to be replaced? It doesn't look to me like there is any way to repair the seal between the plastic and metal parts.

2. About how much would I expect to pay to have someone replace the radiator? Are we talking several hundred dollars?

3. How big a job would it be to do it myself? I'm not a skilled mechanic by any means. I usually limit myself to small jobs like plugs and wires, replacing hoses, etc. On the other hand, this may be the only option I have, because I'm not going to spend a bunch of money on this car.

[abaird]

Yeah, you are probably talking several hundred dollars. The whole front end of the car has to come off to get the radiator out.

[DavidL]

Originally Posted by abaird

Yeah, you are probably talking several hundred dollars. The whole front end of the car has to come off to get the radiator out.

My son and his friend decided to give it a try, and you are right, just getting to the radiator was a lot of work. They did get it out, though, and have started putting the new one in.

Which brings up another question. Is there any kind of trick to inserting the lines from the transmission into the fittings at the radiator? They had to use a little tool to get them out, but it looks like they should just push in when reinserting them. The first one went in until the expanded ring around the tubing hit the opening, then it wouldn't go any further. Is there some tool or technique that makes it go in easier? We stopped for now because I don't want to use too much force and screw something up.

[DavidL]

Well, after a lot of pushing, grunting, and a few sprays of WD40, we managed to get the transmission lines inserted all the way into the radiator. Double-checked all hoses, refilled the system, and no leaks so far. Now to put the front end back together.