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Topic: radiator repair

in Forum: C3 Cooling and Heating Systems


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radiator repair (1/7)
 5/18/08 2:33pm
scott78
Former Member

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fortlauderdale, FL - USA

Vette(s):
1978 greenwood custom vette, 468 blower motor side pipes.


Joined: 3/15/2004
Posts: 288

I purchased a new griffin aluminum radiator about two years ago, my engine had some rust in it and I think it has reduced the efficiency of the radiator cooling. I want to have the radiator cleaned properly, what should a good cleaning/coring cost? or is there a product over the counter that dissolves buildup that I can try first.
As always thatnks for the info. 


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radiator repair (2/7)
 5/18/08 9:15pm
Gunslinger
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Frederick, MD - USA

Vette(s):
1969 convertible L71 427/435 4-speed black interior


Joined: 9/8/2003
Posts: 3398

Ask several radiator shops for what they might charge.  You'll probably find prices all over the board.  Last year I had a radiator cleaned out and pressure tested...it cost me $30.  Several years ago I had a radiator for a different car re-cored...that was about $300.  That also included a core with more fins per inch for additional cooling surface.  A standard core would have cost somewhat less.
radiator repair (3/7)
 5/27/08 9:09am
my7t1Lifetime Member
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Dorr, MI - USA

Vette(s):
71 Colonnade Hardtop Coupe Torch Red with black interior originally L48 built to push around 360hp


Joined: 8/21/2002
Posts: 2581

If the radiator is only 2 years old, and you had the right mixture of coolant, it shouldn't be badly limed up. If the block is rusty it will leave deposits over the tubes on the inlet side. If that's the case, a good back-flush should open them up. I would normally charge around $30-40 once the rad is off. No there really is no chemical short of using muriatic acid to remove rust. And I would HIGHLY not recommend using it if you have no means to power-flush the rad.

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radiator repair (4/7)
 5/27/08 11:17am
scott78
Former Member

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fortlauderdale, FL - USA

Vette(s):
1978 greenwood custom vette, 468 blower motor side pipes.


Joined: 3/15/2004
Posts: 288

Can I back flush myself or is there special equipment to do this?

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radiator repair (5/7)
 5/27/08 1:41pm
my7t1Lifetime Member
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Dorr, MI - USA

Vette(s):
71 Colonnade Hardtop Coupe Torch Red with black interior originally L48 built to push around 360hp


Joined: 8/21/2002
Posts: 2581

Well Scott. They do make flush tees you can put in the heater hose. However all this really does is rinse out old coolant with water pressure. Really the only way to clean the rad is to bring it to a rad shop & have it power flushed. Sometimes this gets the crud out and increases the flow, and sometimes not. A rad shop can flow test the rad and see how bad its plugged, and see results after flushing. While the rad is off you may want to use a flush tee to rinse out block.

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radiator repair (6/7)
 5/28/08 12:08pm
dwright
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Victor, NY - USA

Vette(s):
2004 Commemorative Edition Coupe, Auto w/HUD. 13K miles in 2015. Sold 1982 Red Coupe


Joined: 7/12/2004
Posts: 6833

Terry,
How often should the system be flushed?


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radiator repair (7/7)
 5/28/08 12:27pm
my7t1Lifetime Member
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Dorr, MI - USA

Vette(s):
71 Colonnade Hardtop Coupe Torch Red with black interior originally L48 built to push around 360hp


Joined: 8/21/2002
Posts: 2581

I recommend every 2 years Dave. I wouldn't go over 3 without changing anti-freeze. If a car sits for long periods of time the rust inhibitor falls out of solution, and leaves sand (silica) deposits in the bottom of block and rad. So if you store your car for over a year, I would recommend flushing before you drive it, or run the motor once and a while to circulate the coolant.



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