How to Replace the Coolant Hose for a 1999 Cavalier

The Chevrolet Cavalier was introduced in 1983. The 1999 Chevrolet Cavalier came equipped with a 2.2-liter in-line four-cylinder in the base model, with the option of a 2.4-liter in-line four-cylinder engine upgrade. The coolant or radiator hoses on the 1999 Cavalier should be replaced together, if one of the hoses has not recently been replaced. The radiator hoses are on the upper and lower ends of the engine. Though there is not a cap on the radiator, the cooling system can be bled through a special bleeder screw mounted at the engine.

Instructions

Open the hood of the Cavalier and set the hood prop. Allow the engine to cool if you have recently driven the car. Do not work on the car if the engine is warm to the touch of your hand, as the coolant in the engine will be even hotter. Raise the front of the Cavalier with a jack. Place jack stands beneath the front lower frame rails, on both sides of the engine. Lower the car onto the jack stands.

Lay beneath the front of the Cavalier and slide yourself in position just behind the radiator. Place a drain pan beneath the radiator drain plug, with the majority of the pan behind the radiator. Open the radiator drain plug with a pair of pliers, by turning it counterclockwise. Allow the radiator to drain for approximately five to seven minutes, or until only a thin trickle of fluid is still draining from the radiator.

Place the drain pan beneath the lower radiator hose at the radiator mounting end. Loosen the radiator hose clamp with pliers or a ratchet and socket, then slide the clamp rearward toward the engine. Remove the lower radiator hose from the radiator, and allow it to drain into the pan if needed. Remove the lower radiator hose from the engine in this same manner.

Install the new lower radiator hose onto the engine. Slide a new hose clamp over the hose where it attaches to the engine. Tighten the hose clamp with a ratchet and socket, until the hose clamp is snug. Install the hose onto the lower radiator with a new clamp, and tighten the clamp snug.

Position the drain pan underneath the upper radiator hose at the radiator junction. Remove the upper radiator hose from the radiator end by loosening the hose clamp, with a ratchet and socket or pliers. Pull the upper hose off the radiator and allow it to drain into the drain pan if needed. Loosen the clamp at the engine, and remove the hose from the engine block.

Install the new upper radiator hose onto the engine block. Install a new hose clamp and tighten the hose clamp snug, with a ratchet and socket. Install the hose onto the radiator with a fresh clamp, and tighten the clamp snug.

Open the coolant recovery tank lid. Fill the tank with fresh coolant. Move to the driver's seat of the Cavalier. Start the engine of the Cavalier with the recover tank lid removed. Do not start the car without adding coolant first, as you removed much of the engine coolant during this project. Turn the heater control selectors to full fan speed, full heat, and "Defrost." Step out of the car and go back to the recovery tank.

Place your drain pan near the upper radiator hose junction with the engine. Remove the bleeder bolt located on the metal part of the upper hose assembly at the engine, with an open end wrench.. Allow the engine to run while you add fluid to the coolant recover tank, until fluid comes out of the bleeder hole without air bubbles. Shut the engine off when the coolant starts to flow from the bleeder hole. Tighten the bleeder bolt snug with the open-end wrench.

Top off the coolant recovery tank with the engine shut off. Install and tighten the coolant recover tank lid.