Last time I ganked the engine, I pulled the radiator out beforehand. Then it was the last piece to go in, and I'm fairly positive I snugged down the 4 screws. As I was doing some underhood wiring, I noticed that 2 or 3 of the bolts were almost completely out of their holes. Have any of you guys seen these work themselves loose? Whew, lucky I noticed that sooner then later before I lost a radiator and fan. It was a brand new unit when we put it in a few years back.

hmmm, there must be some vibration somewhere causing the bolts to come loose, assuming they werent stripped and you put them in reasonably tight. Of course Loctite red or even blue will put an end to that, but I would take that as a hint to look for vibration somewhere. A loose damper outer ring perhaps? Maybe a tire out of balance. Can you feel any vibration driving the thing?

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I've been calling it as i see it for my entire life and that's not about to change. Take it or leave it.

Nah no vibrations.. I don't think the radiator was rattling around because one bolt was still somewhat tight. If it was shaking I'm sure I'd hear it... theres not too much room between it and the fan. If the fan ever struck the radiator I'm sure it'd make a awsomely loud sound (like the time I was driving on the freeway and threw 2 rods... eek!).

Damper was rebuilt within the past, hm, 5 years or so by damperdudes. Timing mark is fine, I don't think its the dampner. Tires maybe... but if tires caused that much vibration I'm sure I'd feel it as well. The bolts weren't stripped, I was able to get good torque on all of them after I found them loose.

Ahh maybe I'll just chalk this one up to absentmindedness when I installed the radiator, and keep checking them occasionally.

another thing I forgot to mention is that a previous owner may have overtorqued the bolts and distorted the threads. It may not be your fault after all.

In any case, using Loctite 262 when you reinstall the bolts will ensure that they won't loosen again.

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I've been calling it as i see it for my entire life and that's not about to change. Take it or leave it.