How To Remove S550 Mustang Radiator | 2015-23

In this article, we will be covering the removal of the radiator for all 2015-22 Mustang GT and GT350s. The radiator removal process can be needed from time to time. Anything from a collision to basic maintenance will be covered under this article. For this removal we have this 2018 Mustang GT we will be working on and overall this one should take you roughly an hour to complete.

Follow along, and we will cover what is involved.

Removal Steps

1. Start by popping the hood on your car and remove the cap on your degas bottle to depressurize the system.


2. Next, lift the car via a lift or jacks and jack stands.


3. Remove the lower splash pan under the car. This will be held in place by a series of 7mm screws and a few assorted push pins.


4. Now we can go ahead and drain the radiator. You will need to locate the petcock on the pass side of the factory radiator. This will have a small nipple that you can slide a small section of hose to help you with the draining process.


5. Use a clean bucket or drain pan at this time to collect the coolant. Turn the petcock counterclockwise and drain your coolant. You can use a small piece of hose here to help direct the coolant into your drain pan. Before continuing be sure that the cooling system is fully drained.


6. While under the car, go ahead and disconnect the lower radiator hose at this time. This is held in place with a constant tension hose clamp. A pair of channel locks or a hose clamp tool will work best for these style clamps. Make sure to have your drain pan handy as well; you still may lose a little coolant once the hose is removed.


7. I want to note that the 18-21 GT models will need to have the engine cover removed if this is still in place.


8. Moving back to the engine bay, we will want to remove the airbox or cold air if equipped. These will usually are held in place with a few clamps, the mass airflow connector, and both PCV hoses.


9. Using a pair of pliers, remove the sound tube if it is still equipped.


10. Now you can position all of these hoses out of the way.


11. Next, remove the 10mm bolt on the fender section.


12. Now you can pull the air box off of the car.


13. Disconnect and remove both of the hoses.


14. Next, we will remove the (2) 10mm bolts holding the degas bottle in place.


15. Once these are removed, you can set the bottle out of the way.


16. Remove the factory radiator cover. This will be held in place by a few push pins across the topside.


17. Now we can remove the upper radiator hose.


18. Using a pry tool, dislodge the fan connector from the shroud and unplug. This is located midway down the radiator on the pass side.


19. Remove both of the upper radiator mounts; these will both be held in place by (2) 10mm bolts. Set these aside.


20. Slide the A/C condenser up to separate the tabs holding this to the radiator; once these are free, you will be able to push the radiator back out of the way.


21. The next step will be for automatic applications only. You will need to remove the factory transmission cooler. This is held in place by (2) 10mm bolts. One on the top bracket and one on the lower side for the hose bracket.


22. Once these are removed, you can slide this out of the tab and set it aside.


23. Now you can remove the radiator and the fan as an assembly out of the car.


24. Moving to a clean work surface, remove the fan from the stock radiator. These will be held in place by (2) 10mm bolts.


25. There are also a few other items we will need to transfer over from the stock radiator. This will include your lower rubber isolators and speed clips. Remove all of these at this time. These will all transfer over to your new radiator in most cases.

We hope that this article has helped you and you have a better understanding of how to remove your factory radiator from your S550.