How do i flush my radiator
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 526
Likes: 1
From: From: Brooklyn Kiddo, Live in Wantagh, Long Island NY....... New York
How do i flush my radiator
I'm definatetly not a mechanic, as I read through these threads most of you guys on this forum. Know as much as a mechanic or most of you are mechanics. I'm new to this sport of having a corvette and would like to flush my radiator. Actually my 05' c6 is leaking anti freeze, at a slow rate. I want to take out the radiator inspect it and have it flushed can any one of you guys help me out............. Thanx
Last edited by PRicanC6Xpress; Oct 9, 2011 at 02:11 PM. Reason: run on sentences
Racer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 497
Likes: 21
From: Garner NC
Before removing the radiator, see if you can isolate the source of the leak. In many cases, its a bad hose or a loose clamp. Sometimes a water pump will leak also. If there are no visible leaks, but you are using coolant, you may be dealing with a bad heater core or head gasket.
As for flushing the system, there are several ways to it. If the fluid just is due to be changed and isn't all gunked up, you can just drain the fluid out of the radiator (drain **** is on the passenger side) and replace it with new, running the engine and heater and adding fluid as necessary as air pockets are eliminated. If you want to be really thorough, you can also drain the coolant out of the block and heater core.
Power flushes as advertised by some shops are generally not necessary unless your system is really dirty, and in many cases you can flush out the sediment yourself with a garden hose.
If you do find that you have to remove the radiator, it is a fairly simple job after removing the intake, upper and lower mounts and the fan assembly.
As for flushing the system, there are several ways to it. If the fluid just is due to be changed and isn't all gunked up, you can just drain the fluid out of the radiator (drain **** is on the passenger side) and replace it with new, running the engine and heater and adding fluid as necessary as air pockets are eliminated. If you want to be really thorough, you can also drain the coolant out of the block and heater core.
Power flushes as advertised by some shops are generally not necessary unless your system is really dirty, and in many cases you can flush out the sediment yourself with a garden hose.
If you do find that you have to remove the radiator, it is a fairly simple job after removing the intake, upper and lower mounts and the fan assembly.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,537
Likes: 1,403
From: Bethesda MD
a couple helpful threads:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-t...t-on-a-c6.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-t...-diy-page.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-t...t-on-a-c6.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-t...-diy-page.html
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,950
Likes: 264
From: St. Louis, MO
St. Jude Donor '08
Before you drain your antifreeze call around and see where you can take it for disposal...none of the parts stores in my area that take used oil would take it. I had a heck of a time getting rid of it. Finally my buddy who is a mechanic took it to work and disposed of it in their recycling system.
Oil is easy to get rid of, antifreeze wasn't for me. I think next time I'll just have it done at the oil change place (not the one that wouldn't take my antifreeze!).
Oil is easy to get rid of, antifreeze wasn't for me. I think next time I'll just have it done at the oil change place (not the one that wouldn't take my antifreeze!).
Pro
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 736
Likes: 7
From: Chesapeake,VA
Before you drain your antifreeze call around and see where you can take it for disposal...none of the parts stores in my area that take used oil would take it. I had a heck of a time getting rid of it. Finally my buddy who is a mechanic took it to work and disposed of it in their recycling system.
Oil is easy to get rid of, antifreeze wasn't for me. I think next time I'll just have it done at the oil change place (not the one that wouldn't take my antifreeze!).
Oil is easy to get rid of, antifreeze wasn't for me. I think next time I'll just have it done at the oil change place (not the one that wouldn't take my antifreeze!).
Used to do my own flushes but it's difficult finding a recycle facility that will take it.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 526
Likes: 1
From: From: Brooklyn Kiddo, Live in Wantagh, Long Island NY....... New York
thnx
I took the car to the corvette shop in Montgomery Ny.... Paul the owner is a decent guy......... Hoping it's not a huge problem. I checked my garage floor last night and there was additional anti-freeze on my floor........... Thanks guys wish me luck.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: merritt island fl
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Flushing the radiator probably will not address the LEAK. If there is a puddle on the floor, the source should be easy to find. Fix that.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: merritt island fl
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