Radiator Cleaning
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 505
Likes: 0
From: Olympia WA
Radiator Cleaning
Put the C6 up on the rack to do some other stuff and decided to check the radiator for any collection of stuff. It is loaded with fir needles.
What do you folks recommend for getting this stuff out of the radiator and how do you get to it? Looks like a real nasty bunch of work to really get it clean. 50 HP shop vac???? 400 PSI compressor????
Doug
What do you folks recommend for getting this stuff out of the radiator and how do you get to it? Looks like a real nasty bunch of work to really get it clean. 50 HP shop vac???? 400 PSI compressor????
Doug
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 505
Likes: 0
From: Olympia WA
Radiator Cleaning
Thanks but found a really great DIY on Digital Corvettes.
http://www.digitalcorvettes.com/foru...d.php?t=107402
Doug
http://www.digitalcorvettes.com/foru...d.php?t=107402
Doug
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,709
Likes: 16
From: pembroke pines (broward) florida
only way to do it properly is remove the rad and hit it with compressed air n water. it can take a while. may need to be soaked. managed a radiator shop for 9yr back in oz so yeah its a common problem in certain makes
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 16,557
Likes: 2,108
From: Peoria/Phoenix AZ
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
A 30" length of 3/8" copper tubing attached to your garden hose is how I do it. Drill one or two 1/8" holes in the side about an inch from the end and then crimp the exit end closed with the flat doubled over and perpendicular to the holes. If you make the inlet connections to fit on a trigger style spray nozzle, you can control the volume and pressure easily.
Take out the 4 screws holding the radiator/condenser cover to access the back side of the condenser. The 60-80 PSI water will blow out most everything except road oil and without damaging anything.
When I'm done with that part, I drive to the spray car wash to hit the condenser from the front side (through the grill) and clean the whole engine compartment/suspension.
Take out the 4 screws holding the radiator/condenser cover to access the back side of the condenser. The 60-80 PSI water will blow out most everything except road oil and without damaging anything.
When I'm done with that part, I drive to the spray car wash to hit the condenser from the front side (through the grill) and clean the whole engine compartment/suspension.
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Race Director
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 16,557
Likes: 2,108
From: Peoria/Phoenix AZ
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
I've always preferred working with intercrimp screen, since it holds it's shape better, but basket weave just looks nicer.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 27,420
Likes: 64
From: San Clemente CA
Thanks but found a really great DIY on Digital Corvettes.
http://www.digitalcorvettes.com/foru...d.php?t=107402
Doug
http://www.digitalcorvettes.com/foru...d.php?t=107402
Doug
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,527
Likes: 34
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,074
Likes: 296
From: San Francisco CA
Corvette is a bottom feeder so it still picks up stuff from underneath than just straight on like ram air. I have mesh screen from SLB and still get a little from below but it would be worse without any kind of screen.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,074
Likes: 296
From: San Francisco CA
Put the C6 up on the rack to do some other stuff and decided to check the radiator for any collection of stuff. It is loaded with fir needles.
What do you folks recommend for getting this stuff out of the radiator and how do you get to it? Looks like a real nasty bunch of work to really get it clean. 50 HP shop vac???? 400 PSI compressor????
Doug
What do you folks recommend for getting this stuff out of the radiator and how do you get to it? Looks like a real nasty bunch of work to really get it clean. 50 HP shop vac???? 400 PSI compressor????
Doug
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 16,557
Likes: 2,108
From: Peoria/Phoenix AZ
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
The condenser is toward the front of the car. There is about a 3/4" space between it and the radiator. That's why I made up a water wand (see post #6) to fit between the two. Most all the crap gets stuck in the condenser and that's the easy way to clean it.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,074
Likes: 296
From: San Francisco CA
