Radiator Cleaning...

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Jan 20, 2006 | 03:34 PM

LS1MN6PEWTER

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Racer

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Radiator Cleaning...

Newbie question here... whats the easiest way to access the radiator to clean it?

Thanks!

Jan 20, 2006 | 04:17 PM

mneblett

Burning Brakes

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From: Castleton VA

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Quote:

Originally Posted by LS1MN6PEWTER

Newbie question here... whats the easiest way to access the radiator to clean it?

Thanks!

Lay on the ground and reach up the snout

Seriously. Easier to see where you're grabbing leaves, etc. from if the front's up on ramps. I was surprised at how open this bottom-breathing arrangement is.

Jan 20, 2006 | 04:34 PM

jman1

Le Mans Master

Joined: Jul 2003

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From: Maine

i guess after that pic of the vette with a micky d's cup in it i'll

for some info on this too

Jan 20, 2006 | 05:13 PM

Sportsdude

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From: Volusia. Las Vegas FL, NV

I went from the top by taking the airbridge and radiator cover off.

Jan 20, 2006 | 05:35 PM

Vetteman Jack

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Quote:

Originally Posted by mneblett

Lay on the ground and reach up the snout

Seriously. Easier to see where you're grabbing leaves, etc. from if the front's up on ramps. I was surprised at how open this bottom-breathing arrangement is.

That's how I have cleaned mine out.

Jan 20, 2006 | 05:56 PM

Allzwell

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From: Pearland, TX

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from the bottom ... easier if you have some ramps to give you some room. Be prepared to find lots of grass, leaves and other crap up there!

Jan 20, 2006 | 08:19 PM

RonJ

Burning Brakes

Joined: Oct 2003

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From: Foresters Falls(near Ottawa) Ont

Quote:

Originally Posted by LS1MN6PEWTER

Newbie question here... whats the easiest way to access the radiator to clean it?

Thanks!

When you look up from the bottom at the "snout" opening, what you are looking at is the air conditioning condenser. It catches all the garbage, just like it shows in the picture in the other post. You can get this garbage out using something like a shop vac and your hand. Wear gloves, nothing like grabbing a dead dried out bird with your bare hand!!! If using a shop vac or a stick ... be careful ..., the aluminum fins will bend over if you just look at them too hard!!!

If you're tempted to use an air hose, you're liable to blow crap through the condenser and put it into your engine radiator and the only way to clean that stuff out is from the top and involves a fair bit of work compared to cleaning things from the bottom.

It's a necessary job though, it will cut the air flow through the rads considerably when it gets garbaged up.

RonJ ...

Jan 20, 2006 | 08:46 PM

tsts

Drifting

Joined: Oct 2004

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From: "Philly" Pennsylvania

Quote:

Originally Posted by LS1MN6PEWTER

Newbie question here... whats the easiest way to access the radiator to clean it?

Thanks!

There is no easy way to give it a good cleaning unless you take it out. Did mine last spring for the first time, came out the bottom, not the top. Really a lot of crap, especially the condensor in the front (which only gets loosened - not removed). Radiator out took 1/2 hour to clean, condensor took three hours - had hundreds of dead bug bodies in the front of he fins. Used hand, brush, and a hose. Wish I had planned better and used some aluminum cleaner too. Whole job took me 5/6 hours (I'm slow). Have antifreeze on hand to replace/flush while your at it. Its worth it, temps dropped, stayed cool whole summer.