Bottom Feeder
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 372
Likes: 2
From: Ft. Lauderdale FL
Bottom Feeder
Holy Crap!!!
So I'm farting around in the driveway today waiting on the wife to come home to relieve me of child duty so I can go for a ride. I'm taking a real good look under the car checking the rocker panels for cracks, eyeing the frame, suspension, etc. (only had the car a month).
I get around to the front of the car and see what can only be described as a bird/rat nest stuck to the radiator. I could not believe how much gunk (leaves/twigs/rocks, you name it) was stuck up in there. I took the shop vac to it and that did a world of good but there is still a bunch of smaller particles jammed in there.
After I did that, the wife came home and I cut the block. Maybe it was just me or maybe the Vette was just glad to get out this weekend but I swear it ran like a scalded dog
The throttle seemed more responsive and I felt like the car was actually "breathing" better. At any rate, it was a well deserved, fun ride for us both.
For those like me who didn't know about this before, take a look up under there. Take a bat with you, you just might have to whack a few rats!
I do see now that there are after market screens to cover the opening underneath.
So I'm farting around in the driveway today waiting on the wife to come home to relieve me of child duty so I can go for a ride. I'm taking a real good look under the car checking the rocker panels for cracks, eyeing the frame, suspension, etc. (only had the car a month).
I get around to the front of the car and see what can only be described as a bird/rat nest stuck to the radiator. I could not believe how much gunk (leaves/twigs/rocks, you name it) was stuck up in there. I took the shop vac to it and that did a world of good but there is still a bunch of smaller particles jammed in there.
After I did that, the wife came home and I cut the block. Maybe it was just me or maybe the Vette was just glad to get out this weekend but I swear it ran like a scalded dog
The throttle seemed more responsive and I felt like the car was actually "breathing" better. At any rate, it was a well deserved, fun ride for us both.For those like me who didn't know about this before, take a look up under there. Take a bat with you, you just might have to whack a few rats!
I do see now that there are after market screens to cover the opening underneath.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 11,556
Likes: 52
From: SoCal Twin Turbo, Any Questions?
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
i uased a compressed air hose to try to get all the rest of the crap out of mine, that and a coolant fluch really helped cool the car off and i noticed the same thing aobut the car breathing better
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 134
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte North Carolina
Good job, might check this each time you change oil...
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I brought a WalMart carrier bag back to England with me. Only found it lodged up there when I got the car home
I have to admit, I didn't pay the import duty on it
I have to admit, I didn't pay the import duty on it
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
I do see now that there are after market screens to cover the opening underneath.
Dirt and grass still get sucked up there. Cleaning out the radiator and A/C condesor several times a year is a good idea.
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Pro
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 727
Likes: 0
From: Olympia Washington
Good catch and they are a good catch can, they can really suck up a lot of crap. I have now taken out two birds, one there and one in a running light.
We were out with a bunch of other Vette's one day and my buddy said I had a running light out, when I went to check it out, it was a bird.
If you ever see a plastic bag floating along the freeway, they are made for C5's as I've pulled a few of those out as well. I think I should drive her through the house, I bet it's better than the Dyson.
Vinnie
We were out with a bunch of other Vette's one day and my buddy said I had a running light out, when I went to check it out, it was a bird.
If you ever see a plastic bag floating along the freeway, they are made for C5's as I've pulled a few of those out as well. I think I should drive her through the house, I bet it's better than the Dyson.
Vinnie
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,066
Likes: 1
From: Atlanta GA
Cruise-In 11 Veteran
That's a hoot.....get a cat!......I had a nest of hamsters in my breather once in a van that I had.....the kid next door just turned his little friends loose when he got tired of them and they found thier way into the van. 
Carol
Carol
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,501
Likes: 1
From: TAMPA BAY FL.
I found a bird in mine when I changed all the fluids this fall. leaves sticks etc. took me a 1/2 hour to get alll that crap out of there. oh yeah I picked up 90 rwhp afterwards! (requisite after mod hp increase post)
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 4,108
Likes: 0
From: San Jose CA
When I changed out my stock radiator support cover for a painted one, I found the same thing. Couldn't believe how much junk was caught up there. Took a shop vac to it, and I check it now whenever I change the oil. 
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 49
Likes: 1
From: St. Charles MO
Not exactly the same thing, but kind of related. Their are three cylinder shaped bags in the driverside fender that collect leaves and such. I removed the wheel and the inside of the fender to expose these. Definetly take a weapon with you. I found june bugs and butterflies. I dont think i picked up any (hp) but i know i shaved some weight.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 651
Likes: 0
From: Littleton NC
Holy Crap!!!
So I'm farting around in the driveway today waiting on the wife to come home to relieve me of child duty so I can go for a ride. I'm taking a real good look under the car checking the rocker panels for cracks, eyeing the frame, suspension, etc. (only had the car a month).
I get around to the front of the car and see what can only be described as a bird/rat nest stuck to the radiator. I could not believe how much gunk (leaves/twigs/rocks, you name it) was stuck up in there. I took the shop vac to it and that did a world of good but there is still a bunch of smaller particles jammed in there.
After I did that, the wife came home and I cut the block. Maybe it was just me or maybe the Vette was just glad to get out this weekend but I swear it ran like a scalded dog The throttle seemed more responsive and I felt like the car was actually "breathing" better. At any rate, it was a well deserved, fun ride for us both.
For those like me who didn't know about this before, take a look up under there. Take a bat with you, you just might have to whack a few rats!
I do see now that there are after market screens to cover the opening underneath.
So I'm farting around in the driveway today waiting on the wife to come home to relieve me of child duty so I can go for a ride. I'm taking a real good look under the car checking the rocker panels for cracks, eyeing the frame, suspension, etc. (only had the car a month).
I get around to the front of the car and see what can only be described as a bird/rat nest stuck to the radiator. I could not believe how much gunk (leaves/twigs/rocks, you name it) was stuck up in there. I took the shop vac to it and that did a world of good but there is still a bunch of smaller particles jammed in there.
After I did that, the wife came home and I cut the block. Maybe it was just me or maybe the Vette was just glad to get out this weekend but I swear it ran like a scalded dog
The throttle seemed more responsive and I felt like the car was actually "breathing" better. At any rate, it was a well deserved, fun ride for us both.For those like me who didn't know about this before, take a look up under there. Take a bat with you, you just might have to whack a few rats!
I do see now that there are after market screens to cover the opening underneath.
The 1st time I looked under mine I found a pile of leaves and about 10 cigarette butts!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,240
Likes: 55
Good catch and they are a good catch can, they can really suck up a lot of crap. I have now taken out two birds, one there and one in a running light.
We were out with a bunch of other Vette's one day and my buddy said I had a running light out, when I went to check it out, it was a bird.
If you ever see a plastic bag floating along the freeway, they are made for C5's as I've pulled a few of those out as well. I think I should drive her through the house, I bet it's better than the Dyson.
Vinnie
We were out with a bunch of other Vette's one day and my buddy said I had a running light out, when I went to check it out, it was a bird.
If you ever see a plastic bag floating along the freeway, they are made for C5's as I've pulled a few of those out as well. I think I should drive her through the house, I bet it's better than the Dyson.
Vinnie
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 23,283
Likes: 906
From: Lake Elsinore, CA
That's one of the cool things about having the car on the lift - I can scan that area easily when I walk under the front and pull any debris I see out just by reaching up. Radiator ia always spotless. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,059
Likes: 12
From: AKA Harvey Mushman-I know just enough to be dangerous "Those who sacrifice liberty for safety deserve neither"- B. Franklin
Senior Member
Cruise-In V Veteran
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