Need help replacing C6 radiator
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,235
Likes: 285
From: San Bruno CA
Need help replacing C6 radiator
I'm in the process of replacing my radiator with a new DeWitts radiator. I have everything disconnected and the stock radiator is ready to come out except for one thing. The AC condenser is still attached to the front of the radiator. Everything is loose but I can't seem to be able to separate the condenser from the radiator. The service manual says to open the AC lines and unbolt the hoses but I know it's not necessary to do that. I've done a search but can't find a posting from someone who's done it. The driver's side of the condenser is free but I'm fighting the passenger side. Can't lift it up high enough to clear the mounting tab. Any tips or hints from someone who has done it?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 20,352
Likes: 568
From: Ventura County, Calif
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 68
Likes: 17
From: Enfield CT
I am doing exactly the same thing, and was going through the same struggle last night. I was able to lift the radiator up and out of the bottom supports and shift it slightly over toward the drivers side. It was easy to free the drivers side for the AC condensor, it took some effort but I was able to free the passenger side, at which point I was able to lift the radiator out.
I am about to head out and see if I can mange to get the Dewitts in place.
Good Luck
I am about to head out and see if I can mange to get the Dewitts in place.
Good Luck
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,491
Likes: 806
From: West coast CA
If your old radiator is leaking, just break the plastic tab that's in the way. You're not going to re-use it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,491
Likes: 806
From: West coast CA
I am doing exactly the same thing, and was going through the same struggle last night. I was able to lift the radiator up and out of the bottom supports and shift it slightly over toward the drivers side. It was easy to free the drivers side for the AC condensor, it took some effort but I was able to free the passenger side, at which point I was able to lift the radiator out.
I'm thinking that the difference may be Z51. Perhaps the external dimensions of the stock Z51 radiator's right tank are just slightly too big to clear.
It didn't have to be this way. If GM had made the A/C line slightly longer or the end tank a slightly different shape, it would clear without having to depressurize the A/C system. But at the factory they filled the A/C after they installed the radiator, so they don't care. These are the kinds of details I hope they fix on the C7.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 16,557
Likes: 2,106
From: Peoria/Phoenix AZ
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
I broke off the lower radiator tab just to get it out. It doesn't seem to have made any difference in how well the condenser stays put. If I had to do it over, I'd probably just saw/grind off part of the tab, so some of it remained.
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Race Director
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 11,839
Likes: 107
From: God's Country, ID
I loosen the fitting that holds/mounts the a/c line to give it some wiggle room. Then lift both the rad and a/c condenser together a couple inches. Then, while holding the a/c condensor up with one hand I push down on the radiator and seperate the two.
If it makes you feel any better, I have dual intercooler in front of my radiator/conenser which gives me almost no room to separate them and make it even more difficult.
If it makes you feel any better, I have dual intercooler in front of my radiator/conenser which gives me almost no room to separate them and make it even more difficult.
Last edited by DSOMC6; Feb 5, 2012 at 12:19 PM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,235
Likes: 285
From: San Bruno CA
Took me awhile but I finally got the condenser off and the new radiator in. The reason the condenser didn't want to separate from the radiator is because the factory radiator with Z51 has a cutout on the lower right portion. I ended up snapping off the mounting ears on the stock radiator's right side to release the condenser. Still took awhile to reinstall the new radiator, fan and hoses and to button everything back up.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 258
Likes: 5
From: Columbia SC
Did this yesterday for cam install in a z06, it is a pain in the *** but if you have another person lift up on the condensor and then take a small flatblade screwdriver In there you can pry the tab over enough to get the condensor off without breaking anything.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,527
Likes: 34
Using prying force is never a good thing. Especially with inducing stress on radiator with plastic side tanks, where it is already prone to cracking, when you least expected - unless, you don't plan to reuse or resale.
Force can have an direct effect on any object, it might cause problem which will need damage control in the future, where it could have been averted if good shop practice was followed in the first place.
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Having that tab intact, physically will keep the condenser captive, won't be able to lift it up - that is the problem in the first place - if another person able to lift it, we wouldn't be having the problem to begin with interference/separation issue.
Method in removing that tab differs. I choose the least destructive to the surrounds by sawing like hot knife on butter with flex trim saw. Without inducing stress.
But then, it is just my opinion on fineness verse brute force.
Force can have an direct effect on any object, it might cause problem which will need damage control in the future, where it could have been averted if good shop practice was followed in the first place.
---
Having that tab intact, physically will keep the condenser captive, won't be able to lift it up - that is the problem in the first place - if another person able to lift it, we wouldn't be having the problem to begin with interference/separation issue.
Method in removing that tab differs. I choose the least destructive to the surrounds by sawing like hot knife on butter with flex trim saw. Without inducing stress.
But then, it is just my opinion on fineness verse brute force.
Cruising
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: San Ramon CA
C6 z51 radiator
Hello All,
The radiator won't come out. I was going to the cut the lower passenger-site tab on the condenser side. Then I decided to do an internet search. I saw this thread. Good info guys. Thanks. I am confident that cutting the tab is the only way out.
Sonner
2007 C6, manual (MZ6 transmission) with z51 package. Radiator has transmission oil and motor oil lines connected to it. There are no additional oil to air cooling elements in front of ac condenser.
The radiator won't come out. I was going to the cut the lower passenger-site tab on the condenser side. Then I decided to do an internet search. I saw this thread. Good info guys. Thanks. I am confident that cutting the tab is the only way out.
Sonner
2007 C6, manual (MZ6 transmission) with z51 package. Radiator has transmission oil and motor oil lines connected to it. There are no additional oil to air cooling elements in front of ac condenser.
