96 LT4 leaking like a pig
01-17-2009, 05:06 PM
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
96 LT4 leaking like a pig
started 96 LT4 today for first time in 3 months. coolant pouring from pass side of radiator, looks like it has to come out. how much of a problem to remove ? seems to leak near the front side of radiator. repair radiator or replace ?
01-17-2009, 05:12 PM
#2
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Jan 2006
Location: Woodstock Georgia
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Replace it. The plastic side cap probably broke. It is about a 3 hr diy job the first time thru and the 3 little screws on each side of the shroud are the only pita.
01-18-2009, 08:19 AM
#7
Drifting
Member Since: Nov 2005
Location: Downriver Mi.
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Repaired tank leak on my truck still good 6 years later.But on the Vette I would replace if cash flow is not a issue.
Last edited by MR NICE; 01-18-2009 at 08:22 AM.
01-18-2009, 09:45 AM
#8
Race Director
You could most likely find a new plastic tank but our cars are old enough to need a new radiator anyway.
I found a three row Radiator at Summit for a couple hundred that will do nicely.
I intend to get old one cleaned and save it for a spare .
The problem with the high dollar radiators is none are repairable and all get clogged if not cleaned every three years professionally.
Dex cool gels worse than green but green and aluminum aren't the best of friends.
Dang if you do or dang if you don't.
I use dex cool and water wetter !
Word of warning about cooling C 4's , they all get leaves and crap in front of the Air cond evaporator coil and you can only reach up there and dislodge so much of it.
I have used vacuum w/ 90 degree attachment , washed with low water pressure carefully from the engine bay side so as to not drown and ruin Opti Spark, but a lot of guys resign themselves to pulling the radiator and cleaning it and having access to clean the Air Conditioning coil which catches the road kill.
If you can't see any road kill up front and are not having cooling issues just flush system at least every three years but two if you love it or don't drive it much.
Another myth to keep in mind is more is not always better!
A thermostat restricts water for a reason.
The longer the water is in the radiator the more cooling it gets.
Same with Electric Water pump , which brings me to a question I'm fixing to put up about what flow to go with on electric WP.
I found a three row Radiator at Summit for a couple hundred that will do nicely.
I intend to get old one cleaned and save it for a spare .
The problem with the high dollar radiators is none are repairable and all get clogged if not cleaned every three years professionally.
Dex cool gels worse than green but green and aluminum aren't the best of friends.
Dang if you do or dang if you don't.
I use dex cool and water wetter !
Word of warning about cooling C 4's , they all get leaves and crap in front of the Air cond evaporator coil and you can only reach up there and dislodge so much of it.
I have used vacuum w/ 90 degree attachment , washed with low water pressure carefully from the engine bay side so as to not drown and ruin Opti Spark, but a lot of guys resign themselves to pulling the radiator and cleaning it and having access to clean the Air Conditioning coil which catches the road kill.
If you can't see any road kill up front and are not having cooling issues just flush system at least every three years but two if you love it or don't drive it much.
Another myth to keep in mind is more is not always better!
A thermostat restricts water for a reason.
The longer the water is in the radiator the more cooling it gets.
Same with Electric Water pump , which brings me to a question I'm fixing to put up about what flow to go with on electric WP.