MYTHBUSTERS: Do C5 radiators really clog?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 6,262
Likes: 222
From: Farmington CT
Cruise-In VII Veteran
MYTHBUSTERS: Do C5 radiators really clog?
the correct answer is YES
my '99 original radiator had a pin hole leak on the way to work Thursday from some road debris
I located a spare from another forum member out of a 2000, installed and the car would reach 230-240, even with both fans kicked on high the temp wouldn't go under 225
this morning I pulled the 2000 rad to ck for flow, water flowed well out of both end, then noticed the expansion tank passage had NO FLOW, got the pick out and was able to free up some foreign material to allow water flow
I am speculating the car sat untouched/unstarted for a couple of years causing the dexcool or other foriegn material to clog the passage
my '99 original radiator had a pin hole leak on the way to work Thursday from some road debris
I located a spare from another forum member out of a 2000, installed and the car would reach 230-240, even with both fans kicked on high the temp wouldn't go under 225
this morning I pulled the 2000 rad to ck for flow, water flowed well out of both end, then noticed the expansion tank passage had NO FLOW, got the pick out and was able to free up some foreign material to allow water flow
I am speculating the car sat untouched/unstarted for a couple of years causing the dexcool or other foriegn material to clog the passage
Last edited by SteveDoten; Jun 8, 2007 at 11:31 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 18,401
Likes: 3
From: Retired but working
Cruise-In VI Veteran
My daughters has the same problem. I cleaned the crap out and it almost looked like white wax. Backflushed the heater core and got more of the crap. Car now runs about 25 degrees cooler. Don't leave it in for 150k as advertised.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 6,262
Likes: 222
From: Farmington CT
Cruise-In VII Veteran
the replacement radiator was from a 2000 with an unknown history, it was available within 3 hours of the oe unit failing
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,677
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From: I have to return some videotapes
I just changed mine @ 50K mi, but nearly 7 years from the factory. Stuff looked fine, so I put dexcool back in. Actually, a 25/75 dexcool/distilled mix with a bottle of water wetter. Nice living in FL.
Thanks for the info Steve.
