RADIATOR, REPLACE OR CLEAN? YOUR CALL?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 205
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RADIATOR, REPLACE OR CLEAN? YOUR CALL?
91' L98. 60K,. Cut lid, 170 Thrmst, airfoil, otherwise stock. Looks and runs great but it's run hot in hot weather since I bought it (live in So,
Cal). The water pump's fine, no leaks, radiator's been flushed but never removed, I've even tried using a bottle or two of Wetter.
Put an aux fan switch on it and it kicks in fine. I've read all the stuff about clogged fins but I don't have time, nor do I want to do the job myself. I think a shop is gonna want to replace the radiator and make the bucks. Shop will probably say they'll pull it, flush and clean the fins but no guarantee that it'll run cooler. Whereas a new radiator will get a guarantee of the temp comin' down.
I'll probably keep the car another year or so. Whats your call, clean and flush, replace or replace with a high efficiency unit????
Thanks in advance for all replies.
Cal). The water pump's fine, no leaks, radiator's been flushed but never removed, I've even tried using a bottle or two of Wetter.
Put an aux fan switch on it and it kicks in fine. I've read all the stuff about clogged fins but I don't have time, nor do I want to do the job myself. I think a shop is gonna want to replace the radiator and make the bucks. Shop will probably say they'll pull it, flush and clean the fins but no guarantee that it'll run cooler. Whereas a new radiator will get a guarantee of the temp comin' down.
I'll probably keep the car another year or so. Whats your call, clean and flush, replace or replace with a high efficiency unit????
Thanks in advance for all replies.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,157
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From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Re: RADIATOR, REPLACE OR CLEAN? YOUR CALL? (STS)
If youre only gonna keep the car another year, why would you want a new radiator?
tell them to clean it, itll drop by at least 10 degrees if its filthy
and the only way to solve it is a huge radiator or have the chip reprogrammed
tell them to clean it, itll drop by at least 10 degrees if its filthy
and the only way to solve it is a huge radiator or have the chip reprogrammed
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 8,540
Likes: 1
From: And on the fifth day, subpoenas were served to Obama senior staff
Re: RADIATOR, REPLACE OR CLEAN? YOUR CALL? (STS)
You already have a very high efficiency radiator. If the space between the radiator and the condensor has never been cleaned, you have a bunch of stuff in there. I hear it's a pain to pull the shroud on your car, probably charge you two hours.
Unless you want to pay for a $600 radiator for 30% improvement, best to stick with the stock.
Real improvement comes with clean radiator and an ecm programmed to match the turn on of the fans with your thermostat.
BTW, quite normal for that car to run over 220*, but should not run over 240*. Thermostat will not help unless radiator is clean and fans turn on at the right times.
Best way to get your car running the way you want it, is to "bother" with it. If not, best pick the right shop to spend your money.
Unless you want to pay for a $600 radiator for 30% improvement, best to stick with the stock.
Real improvement comes with clean radiator and an ecm programmed to match the turn on of the fans with your thermostat.
BTW, quite normal for that car to run over 220*, but should not run over 240*. Thermostat will not help unless radiator is clean and fans turn on at the right times.
Best way to get your car running the way you want it, is to "bother" with it. If not, best pick the right shop to spend your money.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 1,247
Likes: 2
From: Parker, Colorado, USofA
Re: RADIATOR, REPLACE OR CLEAN? YOUR CALL? (STS)
Look down thru the filler spout with a flashlight. If you don't see corrosion, and it's not leaking, just have em REMOVE-CLEAN-REPLACE the factory radiator.
Having them futz around with a pressure washer won't do it, you've gotta pull it out to get at all the crap, then use a good solvent (K&N filter cleaner is great) to get the crap off the front of the radiator.
Search the archives, we can't ALL be mistaken. :)
Having them futz around with a pressure washer won't do it, you've gotta pull it out to get at all the crap, then use a good solvent (K&N filter cleaner is great) to get the crap off the front of the radiator.
Search the archives, we can't ALL be mistaken. :)
