Question about cleaning a radiator
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 6,461
Likes: 5
From: Ypsilanti MI
Cruise-In 10-11-12 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'14
Question about cleaning a radiator
I am contemplating removing my radiator to clean the outside of it, but from looking at it, it doesn't appear to need it. A question for all of you who have done, is it the front side of the radiator itself that tends to get dirty?
From looking at mine (you can see in through the shroud opening on the passenger side) it looks pretty clean. I did hose off some debris, but there was only a little bit present.
There does not appear to be any way for debris to get to the back side of the radiator, and the AC condenser look pretty clean too. Is the front side the side that tends to clog up, or am I missing something here?
Thanks,
Preston
From looking at mine (you can see in through the shroud opening on the passenger side) it looks pretty clean. I did hose off some debris, but there was only a little bit present.
There does not appear to be any way for debris to get to the back side of the radiator, and the AC condenser look pretty clean too. Is the front side the side that tends to clog up, or am I missing something here?
Thanks,
Preston
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,032
Likes: 4
The front of the radiator is where all the garbage collects, dirt paper bags, small animals, honda's etc...
If it was me, i wouldn't take it off to cleant it unless you're having cooling issues...
I did this on my L98... It was the most miserable experience I've had so far with my vette....
If it was me, i wouldn't take it off to cleant it unless you're having cooling issues...
I did this on my L98... It was the most miserable experience I've had so far with my vette....
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
From: Woodbine MD
Had just posted the same question over in the general section.
Got out the shop vac with a small brush attachment and put it in the slot on the right hand side of the radiator shroud and blew the gunk off the front of the radiator then vacuumed the loose stuff up. It's a tight fit but it worked. Not sure if the 94 LT-1 has the same shroud slot as the 92 though (I would guess so)....
I didn't notice any temp. changes but what the heck at least it's clean now ....well at least until it sucks in a bushel of leaves
Got out the shop vac with a small brush attachment and put it in the slot on the right hand side of the radiator shroud and blew the gunk off the front of the radiator then vacuumed the loose stuff up. It's a tight fit but it worked. Not sure if the 94 LT-1 has the same shroud slot as the 92 though (I would guess so)....
I didn't notice any temp. changes but what the heck at least it's clean now ....well at least until it sucks in a bushel of leaves
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,700
Likes: 298
From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
The front side of the radiator...
The front of the radiator is where leaves, plastic bags and everything else end up. The quick fix is an opening between the condensor and the radiator. On the passenger side, there is an opening--2" opening where you can get a two foot long pcv pipe attached to a shop vac. That 2" opening is where all sorts of garbage accumulate. Use a flashlight to see what and where the garbage is and use the 2 foot pcv extension to clean.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 6,461
Likes: 5
From: Ypsilanti MI
Cruise-In 10-11-12 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'14
Thank you everyone, I thought I was on the right track, just wanted to make sure. I think I will do the shop vac routing just to get the few leaves that remain.
I guess I can fix that intake manifold oil leak instead!
I guess I can fix that intake manifold oil leak instead!
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 12,832
Likes: 209
From: Canton GA
Cruise-In III Veteran
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In VI Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03-'05-'06-'10-'11-'12
Originally Posted by Shoregasm
Take that shroud off and just have a looksie....... 
As soon as you get the shroud off, you'll be removing the radiator! 
That thing collects so much crap that you can't see unless you take it out!Seriously, I took mine out and it didn't pass any light through a third of the radiator!! It sure as hell didn't pass air
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 21,510
Likes: 0
From: On a Wisconsin Death Trip
Originally Posted by mikey whipreck
It was the most miserable experience I've had so far with my vette....
It's not a bad job. It looks scary but it actually comes apart and goes together pretty easy.
I must say mine wasn't that dirty, but i bent all the fins back, cleaned it up good and, while it didn't really run cooler, it was much more consistent - no creeping temps any more.
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