IrishViking505

So, in light of recent cooling system temperature issues, I have decided to embark on a mission to combat the heat being generated.


I know the standard scuttlebutt lays claim to these babies running hot...but I am just not a fan of the extra heat produced by an already hot running engine - especially since the before mentioned purpose is emissions related and emissions are not regulated where I live.
To add; the high desert heat has been a bit high this year.


My C5 has around 85K on the odo and since the previous owner is deceased (may he rest in love), I have absolutely NO CLUE what has or has not been done to this car either performance wise or preventative maintenance wise. That being said, even if what I am about to do is not really necessary, I can at least view it as preventative maintenance with higher quality products.




A little back-story.


My C5 came from California. I recently picked it up and drove back to New Mexico, this past fourth of July weekend. On my way back and about the time I hit Arizona, my temp gauge - which was running at about 190 the whole way, jumped up to the 230-245 range. I immediately stopped at a rest area and checked for debris in the radiator housing (nothing) and observed the coolant surge tank boiling...and leaking from the cap.


I cranked the AC and along with the night temps being lower (60s), I was able to maintain the temps around 220, until I arrived home in Santa Fe.


Since I returned, I have installed a new water pump, new thermostat and a new surge tank cap. Now, the temps do not go above 230, but it still gets to around 227 regardless of the outside temperature or distance driving. I am pretty sure the AC condenser and radiator are most likely caked with road grime and with the age of my 2004, along with the miles added - it probably has some baked hoses and the surge tank looks a little old.


All of that, plus my feeling that my baby runs a bit too hot, has led me to this mission.




The project will begin this weekend...*Stay tuned for more!




Liam

knewblewkorvette

Vetteman Jack

Good luck - hope things go well when you're working on the car.

IrishViking505

...I am still waiting for a few parts to arrive. Sans any shipping issues, hopefully I will have everything to get started this weekend.


I will post photos and descriptions of everything I have acquired for this project, plus my opinions and reviews of the products.




Should be fun! Stay tuned!




Liam

001pewter

dbgoodwin

I would like to see the results whenever you finish!

I used to worry about mine, but it will stay at a cool 196 unless its HOT HOT outside or I'm driving it really hard/in stop and go traffic

redzg

Since it seems to me that temps are controlled by a combination of the cooling capacity (in BTUs), thermostat, and fan switches, I'm curious where you're going? Saldana Racing has a fascinating pdf on cooling system operation. No idea if they make C5 radiators or not, but the information makes me really ponder if a DeWitt is in my future...
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...B8YrmlYkP0O8ig

C52002Vert

mstromquist

In for the results and products you use. I'll be changing all my stuff this fall when it cools off a little.

knewblewkorvette

Not sure if these will fit our C5s but I recently put one (30102800 ) in my Eagle Talon TsiAWD. Holy cow! These move some air compared to the other fans I had. If I still had my 98 C5, I'd find a way to put two of these in. They will solve ANY hot issues.
The only downside is you have to upgrade the wiring (or run all new wiring like I did) as they take allot of amps compared to stock.

http://www.jegs.com/p/SPAL/SPAL-Extr...61454/10002/-1

IrishViking505

...Everything came in Today!
...Today is also my birthday!
...Tomorrow, I am free and clear to begin my work!


*I will lay everything I purchased for the project out in the morning, and provide details.


Interesting side note; we just moved into a new house and this will be my first car-related project in my new garage - Time to break it in!!!

IrishViking505

Okay,


Here are all the items I purchased for Project: Stay Cool Baby...




The first is the cool it kit from SacCityCorvettes.


Even though I probably would not need it after the other changes...I figured it best to have as an emergency back-up and it only makes sense to add it while I am working on the cooling system.














I got the wired version...so I can put the little switch wherever I want!




...

IrishViking505

I picked-up a dual-core, all-aluminum radiator from Dewitts, plus the new fan assembly which claims double the CFM of air flow over stock.

IrishViking505

Also purchased a silicone hose kit for the cooling system, and a new surge tank.
The old one was looking a bit brittle.


This new one came with a new cap as well

IrishViking505

Not specifically related to the project; I also decided to take car of throwing in new plugs and wires, along with an oil change.
...and some much needed wiper blades (been raining a lot here in the desert!

IrishViking505

Gotta take off all the under-the-hood-all-show-no-go-bling-bling stuff...

IrishViking505

The low-profile jack just barely made it!




Picked-up the Jack-Pucks from WildVettes

IrishViking505

Tearing it down...


I have no manuals for this car, and this is the first time working on a Corvette.


There are four 10mm bolts to remove in order to take off the radiator top cover. Two on each side.


Once I got mine off, I began to see all the junk stuck in my AC condenser and radiator.

IrishViking505

Looking up under the car from the "bottom-feeder" mouth - there is a fair amount of junk matted up there.























The radiator drain plug on the stock radiator is on the passenger-side low corner. Used an allen-wrench to turn and pop it out...when it was done draining, I pulled the top small hose from the top, passenger side of the radiator - then blew into it to help drain more fluid out.

IrishViking505

Removing the surge tank.


I'm pointing at the 3 bolts holding the old one in.


-disconnected the hoses leading to the surge tank.




*Side by side of the old and the new tanks














still going at it...






...