C5 radiator problem
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Joined: Aug 2012
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C5 radiator problem
My vette is 03 auto trans. My trans cooler hose has two holes on it. I brought it to the dealer, dealer told me the parts are discontinued. The labor is 600 bucks. And my fan shroud is broken as well, labor 300. They suggest me to change the radiator at the same time. I got those silicone hose now. I know dealer is asking way too much. So I asked two other place, and the price is apart by one digit. 50 and 500. And I haven't even ask about the shroud. I am not sure what I need to do.
Sorry about the long post. I hope it's not too confusing.
Sorry about the long post. I hope it's not too confusing.
Last edited by helios_1215; Mar 26, 2014 at 12:27 PM.
Race Director
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 15,765
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From: Phoenix area, AZ
I would suggest checking out RockAuto.com and pricing their parts. You could also check with GMPartsHouse and get another opinion from a GM dealer. $900 seems awfully high for labor alone; replacing the fan shroud and trans cooler hose isn't that hard to do. Even adding in the radiator replacement shouldn't run near a grand.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,774
Likes: 363
From: Midland TX
My vette is 03 auto trans. My trans cooler hose has two holes on it. I brought it to the dealer, dealer told me the parts are discontinued. The labor is 600 bucks. And my fan shroud is broken as well, labor 300. They suggest me to change the radiator at the same time. I got those silicone hose now. I know dealer is asking way too much. So I asked two other place, and the price is apart by one digit. 50 and 500. And I haven't even ask about the shroud. I am not sure what I need to do.
Sorry about the long post. I hope it's not too confusing.
Sorry about the long post. I hope it's not too confusing.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 81
Likes: 1
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 81
Likes: 1
I would suggest checking out RockAuto.com and pricing their parts. You could also check with GMPartsHouse and get another opinion from a GM dealer. $900 seems awfully high for labor alone; replacing the fan shroud and trans cooler hose isn't that hard to do. Even adding in the radiator replacement shouldn't run near a grand.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 341
Likes: 11
From: Auburn Hills Michigan
do it yourself....it'll take longer be a pain in the butt but you'll learn so much about your car and in the process save $900 dollars or $800 with your discount lol
I'm not very mechanical but i plan on trying as much myself as i can
I'm not very mechanical but i plan on trying as much myself as i can
Race Director
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From: The Sunshine State
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I would also install a DeWitt's aluminum radiator as well. Do it once and do it right. 
Take your time and plan for some down time. Enjoy the process and the eventual satisfaction of doing it yourself.
Race Director
Joined: May 2012
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From: Phoenix area, AZ
I think the parts aren't really an issue. Price is about the same everywhere. It's the labor. Even with my discount at the dealer and everything, it's still going to be 800. I would accept 400 for the labor. I guess. I seriously, for 800 bucks, I was seriously considering do it myself now!
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Race Director
Joined: May 2012
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From: Phoenix area, AZ
If the radiator is the original now would be a good time to change it out as it is bound to start leaking soon. They all do.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,097
Likes: 111
From: Fredericksburg Virginia
If the lines can't be found then you can take them off, dremel off the aluminum crimps and replace the hose and use clamps. I have done it before for cooler lines and heater lines. Works just fine. Is the shroud affecting anything? If not, replace the lines and call it a day. You never know when a radiator will go but get your money's worth out of it. If car is still running cool/normal then leave it along.
GL
Chris
GL
Chris
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,862
Likes: 594
From: Prescott, Arizona
When removing the fan shroud on my 2001 A4, I found that I had to remove the bolts holding the front stabilizer bar and rotate the bar down out of the way in order to get to the fan plugs and plastic clips holding the large wire loom to the shroud.
Tape a sheet of cardboard between the radiator and fan shroud to prevent mashing radiator fins while removing the shroud; or, if you are replacing the radiator, put the sheet of cardboard on the rear face of the new radiator before installing the shroud.
I removed the shroud from the top, then the radiator from the top.
Put in new hoses and or have a spare lower hose. I could not get to the lower hose OEM clamp at the radiator, therefor had to cut the lower hose before the shroud would come out.
I put in a new DeWittts radiator and like it, but some trimming on the shroud with a hacksaw will be nesessary to make an OEM shroud fit the Dewitts.
I also put in all new stainless steel worm drive clamps and new surge tank.
Tape a sheet of cardboard between the radiator and fan shroud to prevent mashing radiator fins while removing the shroud; or, if you are replacing the radiator, put the sheet of cardboard on the rear face of the new radiator before installing the shroud.
I removed the shroud from the top, then the radiator from the top.
Put in new hoses and or have a spare lower hose. I could not get to the lower hose OEM clamp at the radiator, therefor had to cut the lower hose before the shroud would come out.
I put in a new DeWittts radiator and like it, but some trimming on the shroud with a hacksaw will be nesessary to make an OEM shroud fit the Dewitts.
I also put in all new stainless steel worm drive clamps and new surge tank.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 81
Likes: 1
When removing the fan shroud on my 2001 A4, I found that I had to remove the bolts holding the front stabilizer bar and rotate the bar down out of the way in order to get to the fan plugs and plastic clips holding the large wire loom to the shroud.
Tape a sheet of cardboard between the radiator and fan shroud to prevent mashing radiator fins while removing the shroud; or, if you are replacing the radiator, put the sheet of cardboard on the rear face of the new radiator before installing the shroud.
I removed the shroud from the top, then the radiator from the top.
Put in new hoses and or have a spare lower hose. I could not get to the lower hose OEM clamp at the radiator, therefor had to cut the lower hose before the shroud would come out.
I put in a new DeWittts radiator and like it, but some trimming on the shroud with a hacksaw will be nesessary to make an OEM shroud fit the Dewitts.
I also put in all new stainless steel worm drive clamps and new surge tank.
Tape a sheet of cardboard between the radiator and fan shroud to prevent mashing radiator fins while removing the shroud; or, if you are replacing the radiator, put the sheet of cardboard on the rear face of the new radiator before installing the shroud.
I removed the shroud from the top, then the radiator from the top.
Put in new hoses and or have a spare lower hose. I could not get to the lower hose OEM clamp at the radiator, therefor had to cut the lower hose before the shroud would come out.
I put in a new DeWittts radiator and like it, but some trimming on the shroud with a hacksaw will be nesessary to make an OEM shroud fit the Dewitts.
I also put in all new stainless steel worm drive clamps and new surge tank.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,814
Likes: 414
From: Pittsburgh suburbs Pa.
I think the parts aren't really an issue. Price is about the same everywhere. It's the labor. Even with my discount at the dealer and everything, it's still going to be 800. I would accept 400 for the labor. I guess. I seriously, for 800 bucks, I was seriously considering do it myself now!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 5,245
Likes: 25
From: Blue Ridge Georgia
This is a good reason to put your city in your profile, that why we know what part of the world you are in. If you have to have a shop do the work find your local Hot Rod shop. If you can't find it listed find a classic car show and ask the guys.
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Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 81
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I'm from Philly. The dealer I went to is Jenkin town's Bryner Chevy dealer. It was actually people from this forum recommended me to there.