Q: How to remove and install a radiator in a Mercury Mariner?
A: Disconnect the cable from the negative battery terminal. Raise the vehicle and place it securely on jackstands. Remove the lower splash shields. Drain the cooling system. If the coolant is relatively new and in good condition, save it and reuse it. Unbolt the cooling fan shrouds from the radiator. Remove the hood latch and the center support. Disconnect the lower radiator hose and expansion tank hose from the left side tank of the radiator. If the vehicle is equipped with an automatic transaxle, also detach the cooler hose from its fitting on the side tank. Lower the vehicle and disconnect the expansion tank hose and upper radiator hose from the right side of the radiator. Also, if the vehicle is equipped with an automatic transaxle, disconnect the other fluid cooler hose from the upper left side of the radiator. Remove the radiator support brackets from the radiator support beam and the radiator. Carefully lift out the radiator. Don't spill coolant on the vehicle or scratch the paint. Make sure the rubber radiator insulators that fit on the bottom of the radiator and into the sockets in the body remain in place in the body for proper reinstallation of the radiator. Remove bugs and dirt from the radiator with compressed air and a soft brush. Don't bend the cooling fins. Inspect the radiator for leaks and damage. If it needs repair, have a radiator shop or a dealer service department do the work.For 2009 and later models, drain the engine coolant. Remove the Engine Cooling Fans. Detach all hoses from the radiator. Remove the two upper bolts that attach the condenser to the radiator. Move the air conditioning condenser away from the radiator. Carefully remove the radiator. Inspect the rubber insulators in the lower crossmember for cracks and deterioration. Make sure that they're free of dirt and gravel. When installing the radiator, make sure that it's correctly seated on the insulators before fastening the top brackets. Installation is otherwise the reverse of the removal procedure. After installation, fill the cooling system with the correct mixture of anti-freeze and water. Reconnect the battery. After you're done, the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) must relearn its idle and fuel trim strategy for optimum driveability and performance. Start the engine and check for leaks. Allow the engine to reach normal operating temperature, indicated by the upper radiator hose becoming hot. Recheck the coolant level and add more if required. If you're working on an automatic transaxle equipped vehicle, check and add fluid as needed.