Which Lower Radiator Hose?
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 97
Likes: 2
From: Potomac MD
Which Lower Radiator Hose?
Hey guys,
I am going to flush out the radiator this weekend and the hoses are pretty shot. I have been looking around for an hour trying to figure out which one I need. There apparently are two different lowers hoses. One for with a performance or sport handling package and one without. Apparently some suspension part makes the lower hose have ot take a different bend.
Anyways I looked at my RPO codes and I have FE7 (Heavy duty suspension (which if someone could explain exactly what that is would be great) and Z51 which is handling suspension. Soooo an explination on what these two things mean as well as whether these codes would indicate a sport/performance suspension package or not.
Thanks!
ALSO --> I am going to pull the radiator to reverse flush it...any tips on removal and install?
Thanks!
I am going to flush out the radiator this weekend and the hoses are pretty shot. I have been looking around for an hour trying to figure out which one I need. There apparently are two different lowers hoses. One for with a performance or sport handling package and one without. Apparently some suspension part makes the lower hose have ot take a different bend.
Anyways I looked at my RPO codes and I have FE7 (Heavy duty suspension (which if someone could explain exactly what that is would be great) and Z51 which is handling suspension. Soooo an explination on what these two things mean as well as whether these codes would indicate a sport/performance suspension package or not.
Thanks!
ALSO --> I am going to pull the radiator to reverse flush it...any tips on removal and install?
Thanks!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,351
Likes: 222
From: Delta B.C. Canada
2023 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C4 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
2015 C4 of Year Finalist
The one thing you must know before you start is that there are three small bolts on either side of the shroud near the front. They are not obvious and are a PITA to get out, especially the drivers side. Once the shroud is off, which can be a bit tricky, the rad just lifts out. Make sure to clean all of the crap from the cooling fins as well.
Good luck with it.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,383
Likes: 4
There is a really great thread with pictures, all about removing the rad and the shroud. A search should find it pretty quick.
The one thing you must know before you start is that there are three small bolts on either side of the shroud near the front. They are not obvious and are a PITA to get out, especially the drivers side. Once the shroud is off, which can be a bit tricky, the rad just lifts out. Make sure to clean all of the crap from the cooling fins as well.
Good luck with it.
The one thing you must know before you start is that there are three small bolts on either side of the shroud near the front. They are not obvious and are a PITA to get out, especially the drivers side. Once the shroud is off, which can be a bit tricky, the rad just lifts out. Make sure to clean all of the crap from the cooling fins as well.
Good luck with it.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 17,700
Likes: 1,667
From: moraga ca
I fiddled around with those bolts way too long. The clips that hold them in are cheap and available on J-hooks in the parts store chains. I would advise anyone doing this to just break the clips with a screwdriver or long and strong needle nose pliars and then replace them with new ones, mounted backwards so that the screw head is on the inside of the air scoop and leave off the top screw on either side.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Most places I have checked for a lower hose simply shows either the FE1 base suspension or Z51. I believe the RPO FE7 simply identifies specific parts of the Z51 suspension package. So with the Z51 suspension, get the hose for that application. IIRC, one extra thing that this hose has is a plastic corrugated shield. It's supposed to prevent the hose from rubbing and wearing through.
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