Radiator leak
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 162
Likes: 0
From: Mebane North Carolina
Radiator leak
Started the Vette today only to find that I have a leak at the upper radiator hose. I cut the end off the hose thinking the clamp may have cut the hose, re-installed it and I still have the leak. I didn't have time to look any further. Anyone else ever have this issue?
Thanks
Mark
Thanks
Mark
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,472
Likes: 1,171
From: Dyer, IN
Started the Vette today only to find that I have a leak at the upper radiator hose. I cut the end off the hose thinking the clamp may have cut the hose, re-installed it and I still have the leak. I didn't have time to look any further. Anyone else ever have this issue?
Thanks
Mark
Thanks
Mark
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 162
Likes: 0
From: Mebane North Carolina
I did have a chance to feel around the hose. Right now my guess is the plastic nipple the hose slides over is cracked. I couldn't see in there very well. I'll have to pull the radiator cover to get a better look. I wonder if it is the nipple if it can be repaired?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,472
Likes: 1,171
From: Dyer, IN
Nothing you can do yourself. Sounds like you need to take it to a trusted shop.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1,754
Likes: 0
From: Redwood City Ca
radiator leak
My 1999 C5 is in the shop right now for a radiator. I did a search, and leaks under the upper radiator outlet are common. It's almost impossible to see the crack unless you remove the radiator.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,472
Likes: 1,171
From: Dyer, IN
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 125
Likes: 1
From: Cork
I agree. I had a leak in the same place and pulled the rad. and got it fixed but I wasn't impressed with the repair so I just replaced it. I'm sorry I didn't just replace it first day as it would have saved me time and money.
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Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,472
Likes: 1,171
From: Dyer, IN
Depends what your intentions are for the car. If you wish to keep it original, the GM is the obvious choice. If it's just a driver, then a quality aftermarket replacement will suffice. If you plan on racing, then you would want to upgrade to a Dewitt's, Ron Davis, etc.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,519
Likes: 0
From: Bedford TX
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
Depends what your intentions are for the car. If you wish to keep it original, the GM is the obvious choice. If it's just a driver, then a quality aftermarket replacement will suffice. If you plan on racing, then you would want to upgrade to a Dewitt's, Ron Davis, etc.
But I would also add that after I installed a DeWitt radiator, my car ran cooler. Both the Ron Davis and Dewitt are designed for your C5 and have better cooling (more rows). It is not a hard swap, and the money you save on the install should pay for the better radiator.
FYI, my friend and I did both (him=RD) and he captured the install with pics and instructions. Search in the Autocross section. I ended up adding a secondary trans cooler because I like to do HPDE with my old 98 A4.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1,754
Likes: 0
From: Redwood City Ca
I went with OEM since I'm stock. A DeWitt radiator is far superior, but significantly more expensive. By the way, I just took a look at the old radiator, and the crack was above the upper neck, not below like I thought.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 162
Likes: 0
From: Mebane North Carolina
Just finished pulling the radiator out as I found a crack in the same location as youirs. Since mine is stock as well I will be getting a stock radiator to go back in as well. I hope it goes in a little easier than this one came out!
