C5 Radiator
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
C5 Radiator
I have been battling cooling issues lately. Today I noticed a rusty brown area where the top radiator hose enters the radiator. I have replaced everything but the radiator. Do you think that brown area is blow back out of the radiator meaning the radiator is bad? I can get a new one for $200 and would like to make sure that is the problem.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 174,312
Likes: 1,217
From: Here
Pilot of Beer Force 1
Tampa Regional Coordinator
CI 4-5-6-7-8 Veteran
Organizer St. Jude Fundraiser
I believe in the Beer Fairy
If you do decide to go beyond stock bet a Dewitts and the bigger fan kit...its like a freakin hurricane 
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 4,549
Likes: 30
From: Shenandoah Valley Virginia
Clean the area off thoroughly. Start car and bring it up to temperature. Check area to determine if hose is loose or if you have a crack in the radiator, it will be apparent. What is status of coolant - if it's brown, you are way past time to change.
The biggest cause of overheating problems is clogged AC condensor and radiator fins. Vettes are bottom breathers and suck up a huge amount of junk. Make sure everything is CLEAN. There are numerous threads on cleaning - search ---
The biggest cause of overheating problems is clogged AC condensor and radiator fins. Vettes are bottom breathers and suck up a huge amount of junk. Make sure everything is CLEAN. There are numerous threads on cleaning - search ---
Last edited by CHJ In Virginia; Apr 20, 2012 at 07:58 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,146
Likes: 203
From: Edmonton Alberta, Canada
If is a brown sludge in the expansion tank..well you got big issues. It means someone mixed coolants or used tap water top up. The coolings system is corroding away! Lots more than a radiator to fix. Just pray that is not the case. Good luck, Rob
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 174,312
Likes: 1,217
From: Here
Pilot of Beer Force 1
Tampa Regional Coordinator
CI 4-5-6-7-8 Veteran
Organizer St. Jude Fundraiser
I believe in the Beer Fairy
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 367,736
Likes: 24,678
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Clean the area off thoroughly. Start car and bring it up to temperature. Check area to determine if hose is loose or if you have a crack in the radiator, it will be apparent. What is status of coolant - if it's brown, you are way past time to change.
The biggest cause of overheating problems is clogged AC condensor and radiator fins. Vettes are bottom breathers and suck up a huge amount of junk. Make sure everything is CLEAN. There are numerous threads on cleaning - search ---
The biggest cause of overheating problems is clogged AC condensor and radiator fins. Vettes are bottom breathers and suck up a huge amount of junk. Make sure everything is CLEAN. There are numerous threads on cleaning - search ---
Determine if you have a leak first, then if not, have the radiator checked for blockage.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 11,114
Likes: 669
From: SE Pennsylvania
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Oldtimer
Bigger Fans & Dewitts
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 174,312
Likes: 1,217
From: Here
Pilot of Beer Force 1
Tampa Regional Coordinator
CI 4-5-6-7-8 Veteran
Organizer St. Jude Fundraiser
I believe in the Beer Fairy
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
