How do you clean the radiator?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
How do you clean the radiator?
My '96 is running warm. About 200 on the highway on an 80 degree day. It's only got 12,000 miles and I don't believe the previous owner did any mods so I think it's got the stock thermostat. Normally the first thing I would try is to use a hose to wash the radiator from back to front to clean out any dirt or small debris that accumulates in the fins but can't find a way to get to it on the Vette. How's the best way to clean it? Thanks, Steve
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,160
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From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
The best way is to totally remove it, sit down with a case of beer and pick the debris out of the fins while restraightening them.
You can just remove the shroud, and stick your hands in and pull most of it out and clean it with a hose.
You can just remove the shroud, and stick your hands in and pull most of it out and clean it with a hose.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,700
Likes: 298
From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
The entire case
The best way is to first try and look into the small opening on the passenger side, between the radiator and the A/C condenser and with a flashlight look to see if there is any blockages. If there is, a 1" peace of PCV about 3 feet long hooked up to your shopvack should clean it out.
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Racer
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 412
Likes: 21
From: Franklin TN
I just pulled the radiator off my 95 with 50,000 miles due to a leak. I had in the past blew it out with air and water hose, But I could not believe how much stuff was down in between the fins in the radaitor. Even though I was replacing mine I took the old one and blew it out with a air compressor and could not believe the amount of dirt and stuff that came out of it. As far as taking the radiator out, it is not as bad as it looks. I think that will be the only way to get it really clean.
Good Luck
Gooseit
Good Luck
Gooseit
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: On a Wisconsin Death Trip
Tech Tips:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/techti...D=53&TopicID=2
You won't need a case of beer. The first time I did mine it took about 3.5 hours, and that's being meticulous and changing the t-stat and cleaning and detailing everything. When you get it out pick out all the big stuff (birds, wrappers, sticks, leaves) and then just hose it down with Simple Green, run a soft brush over it, working into the fins, and spray it off. Run the hose through it to flush it out. As stated, bend all the fins back, and re-install.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/techti...D=53&TopicID=2
You won't need a case of beer. The first time I did mine it took about 3.5 hours, and that's being meticulous and changing the t-stat and cleaning and detailing everything. When you get it out pick out all the big stuff (birds, wrappers, sticks, leaves) and then just hose it down with Simple Green, run a soft brush over it, working into the fins, and spray it off. Run the hose through it to flush it out. As stated, bend all the fins back, and re-install.
Last edited by loiq; Aug 5, 2004 at 10:23 AM.