i have a 1999 i thought my top radiator hose was leaking when i took the top support off to get to the hose i see its not the hose but the plastic piece that the hose attaches to the seam of the plastic piece that goes into the radiator .is leaking is there a way to seal that or do i really have to get a whole new radiator which seams silly

 

Sorry to say this but your in need of a new radiator.

 

I would say new one

 

is there any tricks to changing out the radiator

 

to replace the radiator do i have to disconnect and drain the ac condenser

 

I had the same deal, it seems to be a fault in the mold, most guys break in the same place as you and I did. . I simply bought a new GM radiator as a repair, about seven years ago, it was under $250 for the part. It is light and certainly went an acceptable distance in my case.

Tough to repair plastic in this area because of the pressure and heat pushing outward against the repair. I have never read of an effective repair, and was kind of surprised plastic welding didn't work in the one report I read about that approach.

Some guys go nuts and buy a really nice full metal radiator, at about four times the cost of the lighter plastic, when they have a stock motor, which is designed for the operating temps of a stock cooling system. Just trying to wave you off of that commonly offered advice, unless you plan on design changes.

They used to make a dedicated radiator for each variant , but now it is universal, and has the hose holes for every model, as I understand it. I had a guy do it, so am a little vague on the details, and can't answer your question about the AC lines, but was not charged with any AC refrigerant labor for my convertible.

While it is out, you might check to see if the radiator supports are smashed up from parking events. At least I think that is what is damaged under my front end, I didn't know the car well enough when I got my radiator, to consider replacing them at the time, and probably should make sure the commonly damaged under parts I am talking about are in fact, part of the radiator supports.

The new radiator lowered my running temps about five degrees, still comfortably within stock range, I guess it had a bit of scale inside, being on the job since "03.

All the best with your repair. As the above poster suggested, with less words and hub bub, , it's new radiator time. I read the cooling system is the most common cause of engine failure.

 

simple answer, no, no you do not

 

thank you for the replays i have decided to replace the radiator can i replace the radiator with out getting under the car since they sit so low and is it a job the home guy turning a wrench can do him self with out special tools

 

The radiator drain is under the car....

Look at My Corvette Life on youtube. He did a radiator install.

 

You will need to get under the car, like mentioned, the drain plug is under the passenger side. You also don't need to drain your freon like mentioned also. The condensor will just lift off the retaining clips and hang there or you can tie it up. Mine was stuck so I had to use a rubber hammer to release it from the clips. The fans also lift off the clips or you can disconnect them and lift them out with the radiator. You may need a second pair of hands when you position the fans and condensor onto the new radiator to help guide them into position, one person underneath and one on top. Not a big deal really. Make sure you remove the rubber isolator from the bottom of the old radiator and put it on the new one. Good luck with your repair.

 

I looked up 1999 Corvette on Rock Auto, radiators start at about $70.00 up to $100.00 plus tax and shipping, not bad at all.

 

yes its less then i thought im going to order my OEM replacement radiator from carparts.com 84 dollars

 

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