replace radiator at 72k miles???

[Denny Nelson]

My 96 LT4 has 72,000 very mild miles on it. Correct coolant. Have added Water Wetter. My VERY trustworthy mecahanic sez it must be replaced. Anyone else doing this at this mileage? Mid-California car. No extreme temps. Denny Nelson

 

[chevyaddict]

If the car is running cool and there is no leaks then it makes NO SENSE to replace a part that is functioning! Keep it until you NEED to change it..... he is probably just trying to make some mula off of you.

 

[Edmond]

The only mechanic that you can trust is yourself! Like Dawn said, if it's running cool and there are no leaks, don't change it. GM radiators aren't cheap.

Are there any problems with it? It is normal for the vehicle to run up to 230 degree's when you're stopped. The temps will lower when you get moving because the fans have come on to cool the engine and the air that comes in cools it as well.

Water Wetter will not drop the coolant temperature when you're sitting still; the temperature will still rise. Water Wetter helps it cool down faster when you do get moving. I use 2 bottles of Water Wetter. You can do that as well, it won't harm the vehicle.

 

[froggy47]

Have him do a pressurized check on it. Mine needed replace at 50 k miles, both plastic end tanks leaked.

 

[Shriker]

I agree with most of the posts above.....if everything is functioning correctly (as mentioned , these things run hot ) and not leaking anywhere you should be fine.

Some things to consider: These radiators collect lots of debris...these Vettes are like vacuums and suck up alot of stuff ...look between the radiator and the A/C coil in front of it (there is a hole on the passenger side in the plastic shroud) and see how much is in there - mine had 1/3 of the radiator covered! Check it every so many miles.

Change coolant once per year or as miles require it, these cars are now 8+ years old. Be sure you water pump is not leaking (getting ready to go) , these are less reliable in our cars.

You could use a Hypertech to lower the temp at which your dual fans come on which really helps alot in hot temps or get a custom tune to do it (I would only spend that cash though if the tune will benefit you in other performance ways as well ).

Hope that helps.....

 

[Edmond]

I'm curious as to how much this mechanic wants to charge you to do this...

You should take the shroud off the radiator and clean the area at the bottom of the radiator. There is enough junk there to make a birds nest.

 

[Denny Nelson]

Thanks to everyone that posted a reply. I will know more Monday and post an update..You guys are [as always] awesome. Denny nelson

 

[Fabinatl]

I'm in the process of replacing my radiator on my 96CE LT4. It sprung a leak in the plastic with a crack funning down the side. Cost a $150 from radiatorbarn. Just my time and blood to replace. Not hard just time consuming since I haven't done it in a corvette before. I have about 98k miles on it.

Good Luck!
Andy