i need to remove my radiator and clean it (puke bottle) and then change the fluid. i have never done this before, how hard is it and what are the steps involved in this so i dont meess up my raidaotor. Is this something i can do myself. i drive a 2001 2500 ctd Thanks

 

A friend with a 98' recently removed his radiator for the KDP. For the inside cleaning use a mild radiator cleaner. Do not use the Heavy Duty cleaner. He let this soak inside for a few hours. For the outside there are a couple of options. Some have recommended cleaners designed for a refrigerator. He used Simple Green and low velocity water from the hose.

 

I just finished this exact job today on my 99. Took about 3 hours since I had never done it and didn't know what I was doing. This may be a little different on your 01 but here goes: 1. Remove passenger side battery cable nuts on radiator and slide battery cable back toward the engine; 2. loosen hose clamps on radiator hoses and slide back; then remove hoses from radiator only; 3. Remove bolts at top of radiator which hold it in place; there is one on each side at the top. 4. Remove plastic overflow resevoir and winsheild wiper fluid resevoir; this was aggravating until I figured out what held these on. There are "nubs" about half way down each of these so you can't simply slide them up and out . Take a long screwdriver and wedge it in between the plastic fan housing and the bottles. Then they will slide out easier. 5. After you remove these, it is much easier, to remove the 4 bolts which hold the plastic fan housing to the radiator. After the fan housing is loose, you should be able to slide the radiator right out (of course everything should be drained before you do this). Mine was completely plugged in front of the fan, mostly with bugs but also grease and oil, probably from the blow by tube. I just used bug remover and engine degreaser and lots of water.

Good Luck!