Leaking radiator
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 808
Likes: 286
From: Johns Creek, Georgia
Leaking radiator
I developed a leak in the radiator of my 2005 m6 base. I got a quote to change it of $1700. It is not a "Corvette shop" but I have used them for other things
but this seems quite high. I am going to get other quotes. My question is, and try not to beat me up to much, what do you guys think of using a stop leak
chemical to seal it until I can get it repaired either by a shop or when I have the time to tackle this myself. Thanks for any help.
but this seems quite high. I am going to get other quotes. My question is, and try not to beat me up to much, what do you guys think of using a stop leak
chemical to seal it until I can get it repaired either by a shop or when I have the time to tackle this myself. Thanks for any help.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 11,351
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From: Eastern
I would personally never use leak stop unless it was an emergency. If that stuff plugs leaks, what else is it restricting in the system? It will also depend where the leak is if leak stop would be effective, Get another quote, as it should not take that long to change out the radiator. $1700.00 is ridiculous. It's a mid difficulty DIY if you have the tools.
If you do decide to use Leak Stop, when you are ready to change out the radiator, flush the system out really good to assure you get rid of the leak stop prior to installing the new radiator. Good Luck
If you do decide to use Leak Stop, when you are ready to change out the radiator, flush the system out really good to assure you get rid of the leak stop prior to installing the new radiator. Good Luck
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 12,045
Likes: 3,588
From: Central MO
It depends on how badly it's leaking. If it's a real slow leak I would certainly try the stop leak tablets that GM used to install as factory equipment to keep the Northstar engines from leaking. Doesn't cost much, and it may solve your problem, even if only temporarily.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 1,728
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These radiators are EXTREMELY easy to diy, especially models without the additional oil line connections such as yours. I know when I changed mine in my 07 I had some issues finding a rad for a reasonable price, but once I did the install itself took maybe 2 hours tops.. And that's taking breaks and dicking around with the buddies included. 1700 sounds like highway robbery unless they're pricing the parts at like 1500..
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 808
Likes: 286
From: Johns Creek, Georgia
I would personally never use leak stop unless it was an emergency. If that stuff plugs leaks, what else is it restricting in the system? It will also depend where the leak is if leak stop would be effective, Get another quote, as it should not take that long to change out the radiator. $1700.00 is ridiculous. It's a mid difficulty DIY if you have the tools.
If you do decide to use Leak Stop, when you are ready to change out the radiator, flush the system out really good to assure you get rid of the leak stop prior to installing the new radiator. Good Luck
If you do decide to use Leak Stop, when you are ready to change out the radiator, flush the system out really good to assure you get rid of the leak stop prior to installing the new radiator. Good Luck
charge the A/C again. I walked away fast. Thanks for your reply.
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if you can find an OEM radiator you can DIY.....its not hard I just did mine in my Z06, had to disconnect AC and recharge which is ridiculous but my buddy has the equipment
that being said, make sure the one you get is the right one for your application....GM sent me one that they swore was the right one for the Z but it was not, it was wider and not the same....I got the correct one after a few calls...price was only a couple hundred bucks....don't get ripped off
that being said, make sure the one you get is the right one for your application....GM sent me one that they swore was the right one for the Z but it was not, it was wider and not the same....I got the correct one after a few calls...price was only a couple hundred bucks....don't get ripped off
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 808
Likes: 286
From: Johns Creek, Georgia
if you can find an OEM radiator you can DIY.....its not hard I just did mine in my Z06, had to disconnect AC and recharge which is ridiculous but my buddy has the equipment
that being said, make sure the one you get is the right one for your application....GM sent me one that they swore was the right one for the Z but it was not, it was wider and not the same....I got the correct one after a few calls...price was only a couple hundred bucks....don't get ripped off
that being said, make sure the one you get is the right one for your application....GM sent me one that they swore was the right one for the Z but it was not, it was wider and not the same....I got the correct one after a few calls...price was only a couple hundred bucks....don't get ripped off
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 1,728
Likes: 861
OP you do not have to mess with the AC condenser lines. There are clips that hold the condenser to the rad which you have 3 options for..
1. Mess with it and try to get it to disconnect
2. Break the tab (most common)
3. Evac the system, pay $$$ to recharge.
I took route 2 when doing my rad and saved myself a ton of headache. There's still other tabs for the two pieces to hold onto, so it's not like you're left with a dangling condenser.
1. Mess with it and try to get it to disconnect
2. Break the tab (most common)
3. Evac the system, pay $$$ to recharge.
I took route 2 when doing my rad and saved myself a ton of headache. There's still other tabs for the two pieces to hold onto, so it's not like you're left with a dangling condenser.
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Race Director
Joined: May 2012
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From: Phoenix area, AZ
Rockautoparts.com has OEM radiators in stock for your car for $219. That shop is trying to rip you off big time. There is absolutely no need to disconnect the AC to change the radiator.
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Wow, I leave the AC system fully intact and connected when pulling a friggin engine so there's no excuse to disconnect it for something as simple as a radiator swap.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 4,929
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From: Etobicoke (Toronto) Ontario
The GM pellets are a PITA to use. IIRC, you can't just dump them into the surge tank - there's insufficient flow to effectively disperse them into the cooling system. What you end up with is an orange/brown mess in the tank. Easy to use in rads with the old fashioned rad cap, but here you'll need to take off one of the rad hoses and drop them in there. Look at this as an opportunity to upgrade to a DeWitts rad.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 197
Likes: 99
From: Eastern NC
Here's a link below to the radiator I bought to replace the leaking one in my 2008 base with automatic trans. Good price and high quality. It fit like a glove and I've had no issues for a year now. Like those before me stated, there is no need to disconnect any AC lines or condenser.
https://speedcooling.com/product/200...-transmission/
Oh, it cools better than OEM. Also, I would never use any stop leak. It will stop leaks (coolant flow) everywhere throughout the cooling system for sure.
.
https://speedcooling.com/product/200...-transmission/
Oh, it cools better than OEM. Also, I would never use any stop leak. It will stop leaks (coolant flow) everywhere throughout the cooling system for sure.
.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,592
Likes: 1,672
From: Pearland / Houston Tx
You shouldn't have to disconnect AC, but if you need to and can DIY, it is 18 bucks to recharge system (if you are a rebel and discharge to the atmosphere). Free parts store loaner AC gauges and vacuum pump, 2 cans R134 and a can tap.
AC-Delco radiator should be 21558
GM radiator should be 15145946
AC-Delco radiator should be 21558
GM radiator should be 15145946
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 12,045
Likes: 3,588
From: Central MO
The GM pellets are a PITA to use. IIRC, you can't just dump them into the surge tank - there's insufficient flow to effectively disperse them into the cooling system. What you end up with is an orange/brown mess in the tank. Easy to use in rads with the old fashioned rad cap, but here you'll need to take off one of the rad hoses and drop them in there. Look at this as an opportunity to upgrade to a DeWitts rad.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 808
Likes: 286
From: Johns Creek, Georgia
These radiators are EXTREMELY easy to diy, especially models without the additional oil line connections such as yours. I know when I changed mine in my 07 I had some issues finding a rad for a reasonable price, but once I did the install itself took maybe 2 hours tops.. And that's taking breaks and dicking around with the buddies included. 1700 sounds like highway robbery unless they're pricing the parts at like 1500..
I have never seen a manual with cooling lines. My question is, is how do you disconnect these lines? Twist a little and pull?
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 4,929
Likes: 2,340
From: Etobicoke (Toronto) Ontario
I believe the engine oil cooler is in the rad, driver side on some model years, so that’s what you are seeing. Tranny cooler is on the passenger side. The lines are held in place with a spring clip that you can pull out with a small pick. There’s a raised bit on the clip where you can insert the pick. Be careful you don’t lose the clip. There was a recent thread with pics on this very topic but I can’t find it right now. Don’t do any twisting or pulling with the clip still in place. With the clip removed the line should pull straight out.
Here is a link to a pic - the rad fittings have the clips https://www.autozone.com/drivetrain/...B&gclsrc=aw.ds
Here is a link to a pic - the rad fittings have the clips https://www.autozone.com/drivetrain/...B&gclsrc=aw.ds
Last edited by FatsWaller; Feb 2, 2022 at 04:08 PM. Reason: Added pic
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2013
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Problem with oem radiators, is they have plastic side panels with gaskets that are crimped on in place, and its just a mater of time before the gasket gives up the ghost to leak as well.
So if your planning on keeping the car for another 10 years, behooves one to not go to an all aluminum radiator isntead.
So if your planning on keeping the car for another 10 years, behooves one to not go to an all aluminum radiator isntead.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 808
Likes: 286
From: Johns Creek, Georgia
Problem with oem radiators, is they have plastic side panels with gaskets that are crimped on in place, and its just a mater of time before the gasket gives up the ghost to leak as well.
So if your planning on keeping the car for another 10 years, behooves one to not go to an all aluminum radiator isntead.
So if your planning on keeping the car for another 10 years, behooves one to not go to an all aluminum radiator isntead.
cooling lines on each side of the radiator? My car is a manual, oil cooler on drivers side, what are the other lines for?
Pro
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 700
Likes: 75
From: SW Missouri
I changed my 05 Z51 6 speed radiator a few years ago. Wasn't to bad. GM radiator was approx $300 including Dex Cool. Hardest part to me was disconnecting the ac condenser plastic clips from the radiator and not losing the little c type clips for oil coolant lines.