Clean out the crap between radiator and condenser!
07-09-2007, 07:42 PM
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
Clean out the crap between radiator and condenser!
I've been reading all the posts about every thermostat temp from 160-200+ deg. what works and doesn't.
Having been about 10 years since I last replaced my radiator (although I do flush it myself or have it power flushed every year or so) I decided to pull off the radiator shroud just to see how much crap was there!
Boy!
As one other forum member said..you find everything in there!
No wonder vetts can't get cool or stay cool ever on the highway!
I pulled out shredded plastic grocery store bags, leaves, newspaper, pine needles...everything but the neighborhood stray cat!
So before you start to change out the thermostat clean out the crap!
I blew forward with compressed air thought the radiator as well as AC condenser as best I could.
I also drained out about a gallon of very green coolant from the radiator and replaced with clear tap water. Then added some of the green coolant i drained out back into the overflow tank ..just in case.
I started the car, AC on, radiator cap off and waited till the 180 thermo kicked in then gradually adding clear water till it was full while circulating. Put back on cap and good to go!
I have had a chip installed to turn on the main fans lower temp, 180 thermo and 200 on/185 of aux fan switch setup for several years now.
It was working great till over the last year or two the coolant temp was gradually getting higher-even after last summer power flush.
Now my around town as well as highway cruising temps are about 15-20 degrees lower than previous.
I think my problems were I had too much antifreeze in the system as well as the big problem of crap between the radiator and condenser.
I did bypass the throttle body yesterday too but I doubt that had much effect on the overall picture.
Just F.Y.I. for those having some cooling issues this summer!
Having been about 10 years since I last replaced my radiator (although I do flush it myself or have it power flushed every year or so) I decided to pull off the radiator shroud just to see how much crap was there!
Boy!
As one other forum member said..you find everything in there!
No wonder vetts can't get cool or stay cool ever on the highway!
I pulled out shredded plastic grocery store bags, leaves, newspaper, pine needles...everything but the neighborhood stray cat!
So before you start to change out the thermostat clean out the crap!
I blew forward with compressed air thought the radiator as well as AC condenser as best I could.
I also drained out about a gallon of very green coolant from the radiator and replaced with clear tap water. Then added some of the green coolant i drained out back into the overflow tank ..just in case.
I started the car, AC on, radiator cap off and waited till the 180 thermo kicked in then gradually adding clear water till it was full while circulating. Put back on cap and good to go!
I have had a chip installed to turn on the main fans lower temp, 180 thermo and 200 on/185 of aux fan switch setup for several years now.
It was working great till over the last year or two the coolant temp was gradually getting higher-even after last summer power flush.
Now my around town as well as highway cruising temps are about 15-20 degrees lower than previous.
I think my problems were I had too much antifreeze in the system as well as the big problem of crap between the radiator and condenser.
I did bypass the throttle body yesterday too but I doubt that had much effect on the overall picture.
Just F.Y.I. for those having some cooling issues this summer!
07-09-2007, 08:42 PM
#2
Race Director
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Originally Posted by davidnclearlaketx
I pulled out shredded plastic grocery store bags, leaves, newspaper, pine needles...everything but the neighborhood stray cat!
Originally Posted by davidnclearlaketx
It was working great till over the last year or two the coolant temp was gradually getting higher-even after last summer power flush.
I think my problems were I had too much antifreeze in the system as well as the big problem of crap between the radiator and condenser.
I think my problems were I had too much antifreeze in the system as well as the big problem of crap between the radiator and condenser.
The cleaning of the debris was the main reason for the lower temps.
Originally Posted by davidnclearlaketx
Just F.Y.I. for those having some cooling issues this summer!
RACE ON!!!
07-09-2007, 09:56 PM
#3
Melting Slicks
Member Since: Nov 2002
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Well, CFI-EFI and other penny-pinchers might disagree, but what's $150 for a new radiator? You can flush out all of the leaves and dead cats that you want, but the fins are still full of tiny pieces of gravel that clog up the air-flow. You have a Corvette! Pull out the wallet and join the madness!
07-09-2007, 11:29 PM
#4
Le Mans Master
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St. Jude '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
Well, CFI-EFI and other penny-pinchers might disagree, but what's $150 for a new radiator? You can flush out all of the leaves and dead cats that you want, but the fins are still full of tiny pieces of gravel that clog up the air-flow. You have a Corvette! Pull out the wallet and join the madness!
07-10-2007, 03:58 AM
#8
Racer
Thread Starter
07-10-2007, 07:35 AM
#9
Melting Slicks
Member Since: Oct 2004
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After replacing my radiator, I bought some fine mesh screen from Ace and cut it to fit the opening for the incoming air. It slip fits at the top and I used the bolts that hold the air dam to secure the bottom. You would not believe the crap the screen catches on a regular basis. Sorry no pics, but it is really easy to do and is practically invisable unless you kneel down to look at it.
Bernie
Bernie
07-10-2007, 07:56 AM
#10
Drifting
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I've been reading all the posts about every thermostat temp from 160-200+ deg. what works and doesn't.
Having been about 10 years since I last replaced my radiator (although I do flush it myself or have it power flushed every year or so) I decided to pull off the radiator shroud just to see how much crap was there!
Boy!
As one other forum member said..you find everything in there!
No wonder vetts can't get cool or stay cool ever on the highway!
I pulled out shredded plastic grocery store bags, leaves, newspaper, pine needles...everything but the neighborhood stray cat!
So before you start to change out the thermostat clean out the crap!
I blew forward with compressed air thought the radiator as well as AC condenser as best I could.
I also drained out about a gallon of very green coolant from the radiator and replaced with clear tap water. Then added some of the green coolant i drained out back into the overflow tank ..just in case.
I started the car, AC on, radiator cap off and waited till the 180 thermo kicked in then gradually adding clear water till it was full while circulating. Put back on cap and good to go!
I have had a chip installed to turn on the main fans lower temp, 180 thermo and 200 on/185 of aux fan switch setup for several years now.
It was working great till over the last year or two the coolant temp was gradually getting higher-even after last summer power flush.
Now my around town as well as highway cruising temps are about 15-20 degrees lower than previous.
I think my problems were I had too much antifreeze in the system as well as the big problem of crap between the radiator and condenser.
I did bypass the throttle body yesterday too but I doubt that had much effect on the overall picture.
Just F.Y.I. for those having some cooling issues this summer!
Having been about 10 years since I last replaced my radiator (although I do flush it myself or have it power flushed every year or so) I decided to pull off the radiator shroud just to see how much crap was there!
Boy!
As one other forum member said..you find everything in there!
No wonder vetts can't get cool or stay cool ever on the highway!
I pulled out shredded plastic grocery store bags, leaves, newspaper, pine needles...everything but the neighborhood stray cat!
So before you start to change out the thermostat clean out the crap!
I blew forward with compressed air thought the radiator as well as AC condenser as best I could.
I also drained out about a gallon of very green coolant from the radiator and replaced with clear tap water. Then added some of the green coolant i drained out back into the overflow tank ..just in case.
I started the car, AC on, radiator cap off and waited till the 180 thermo kicked in then gradually adding clear water till it was full while circulating. Put back on cap and good to go!
I have had a chip installed to turn on the main fans lower temp, 180 thermo and 200 on/185 of aux fan switch setup for several years now.
It was working great till over the last year or two the coolant temp was gradually getting higher-even after last summer power flush.
Now my around town as well as highway cruising temps are about 15-20 degrees lower than previous.
I think my problems were I had too much antifreeze in the system as well as the big problem of crap between the radiator and condenser.
I did bypass the throttle body yesterday too but I doubt that had much effect on the overall picture.
Just F.Y.I. for those having some cooling issues this summer!
So that's where my neighbors cat got to!
Enjoy the ride!
07-10-2007, 09:28 AM
#11
Racer
Thread Starter
07-10-2007, 11:29 AM
#12
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Originally Posted by Lichen
Well, CFI-EFI and other penny-pinchers might disagree, but what's $150 for a new radiator? You can flush out all of the leaves and dead cats that you want, but the fins are still full of tiny pieces of gravel that clog up the air-flow. You have a Corvette! Pull out the wallet and join the madness!
RACE ON!!!
07-10-2007, 12:38 PM
#13
Melting Slicks
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I replaced my original rad with a Dewitts but I did keep my old rad as an extra in case something happens to the new one. I can't blame anyone for saving money. I did save money to buy the DeWitt and do almost all the work on my car to save money so I will have more to spend on it.
Bernie
Bernie
07-10-2007, 01:11 PM
#14
Melting Slicks
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You are right. I DO disagree. And if not throwing away a $150.00 part and spending an hour or two cleaning it makes me a penny pincher, I plead guilty; and damn proud of it. Not many of us can earn $75.00 to $150.00 an hour in our "off" time. My radiator is 24 years old. My engine runs cooler than I think it should. I need to go back to the 195° stat. In those 24 years, how many times should I have replaced my radiator? Let's see, here, $150.00 times...??? That could run into money. I'll leave my wallet where it is until I NEED a radiator. You are welcome to my share of the madness.
RACE ON!!!
RACE ON!!!
