Radiator trash
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,106
Likes: 6
From: Georgetown Texas
Radiator trash
I am sure most of you know about this but there may be some who do not. Friday while waiting at a red light I noticed water temp was around 235. Probably not that unusual except for the fact that I had just stopped from going 70 mph for around 20 miles. When I got home I shined a flashlight up into the radiator air intake and couldn't believe my eyes. I start taking trash out of there which included half of a water bottle, 2 paper towels, a large portion of a bird wing (sparrow I think), a bunch of leaves and grass and a lot of unidentifiable junk. Then I use the shop vac on it and could hear a bunch of smaller stuff traveling through the hose. Saturday morning I remove the airbridge and the top radiator retainer and spray water through the condenser and radiator which produced a brownish waterfall of junk. Took it out afterwards and only ran around 200 degrees while in motion (before cleaning was 220). I came back home and let it idle and it slowly climbed to 230, fans activated and brought it down quickly to between 215 and 220. I will check this often and advise everyone who doesn't do likewise.It's 65 and sunny here today so I am going for a drive before the California race comes on. Have a great Sunday everyone.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,891
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From: North Port Fl
That's why I have fabricated a screen to cover the opening. There are vendors that sell screens made to fit and they sell them anywhere from $50 to $100 or you can make your own for under $10
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: LAND OF OZ Kansas
They go between your air dam and the front bumper. You can use SS wire mesh to make your own. They work wonders.
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The C5 does act as a vacuum cleaner when going down the road - good idea to check the radiator area every now and then.
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I saw trash, leaves and plastic bags jamming up that area on a couple cars I was considering. I took a pass on them figuring if the owners didn't know about the "vacuum cleaner" effect they didn't maintain their cars very well.
After I bought my car I had a cat run out so close to the front of me I didn't see it come out the other side. I pulled over and sheepishly looked under and up expecting to see it jammed in there but we both got lucky. One less life for that darned cat!
After I bought my car I had a cat run out so close to the front of me I didn't see it come out the other side. I pulled over and sheepishly looked under and up expecting to see it jammed in there but we both got lucky. One less life for that darned cat!
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