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Radiator damage, Check yours

Old Apr 27, 2009 | 10:57 AM
  #1  
BelizeBrian's Avatar
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Joined: 12-19-2006
Posts: 9
From: Upstate New York
Radiator damage, Check yours

I was washing the salt and dirt from the great white north out of my engine compartment and radiator when I noticed some major damage. The fins on the radiator and AC condenser are pushed flat/folded over. It is only where they are open through the lower opening, not behind the grill. They're almost completely occluded. What the hell? Either the radiator and condenser are flimsy or the high pressure car washes are mashing them flat. I have lots of nice pics of the damage. Either chevy or the car wash is going to replace both. They just don't know it yet...everyone tak a look and see if it's only mine.
Old Apr 27, 2009 | 11:01 AM
  #2  
ChevyMgr's Avatar
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Joined: 11-23-2007
Posts: 8,210
From: Texas
Related threads:

https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/problems-service-repairs-42/rock-debris-damage-radiator-condenser-15016/

https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/general-hhr-4/grill-mesh-screen-material-18685/
Old Apr 27, 2009 | 11:10 AM
  #3  
BelizeBrian's Avatar
Thread Starter
 
Joined: 12-19-2006
Posts: 9
From: Upstate New York
This is not rock/impact damage. It's not localized. It is over the entire area open through the lower opening. As if it were hit by high pressure.
Old Apr 27, 2009 | 01:32 PM
  #4  
gimpy's Avatar
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Joined: 04-09-2009
Posts: 50
From: SNJ
The part is $1300(GM.list ($21.00) + shipping at gmpartsdirect.com

Last edited by gimpy; Apr 27, 2009 at 01:33 PM. Reason: spelling
Old Apr 27, 2009 | 01:51 PM
  #5  
Snoopy's Avatar
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Joined: 05-09-2006
Posts: 6,805
From: "Upland" Mesa, Arizona
If you have no leaks and just the aluminum fins are folded or crush.......buy a radiator rake/comb for about $10-12. If you're careful and use it properly, you can return the radiator to ALMOST new condition. I routinely do this to ALL my vehicles as part of my maintenance routine.


Oh Note.....the radiator combs have spacing for several different size fin spacings. Make sure you get one with the correct size.

Then install a screen of some sort. There are several threads here that explain how to do it from, CHEAP to MODERATELY EXPENSIVE.
Old Apr 27, 2009 | 02:46 PM
  #6  
HHR4JK's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: 03-27-2008
Posts: 471
From: Blue Springs Missouri
Originally Posted by Snoopy
If you have no leaks and just the aluminum fins are folded or crush.......buy a radiator rake/comb for about $10-12. If you're careful and use it properly, you can return the radiator to ALMOST new condition. I routinely do this to ALL my vehicles as part of my maintenance routine.


Oh Note.....the radiator combs have spacing for several different size fin spacings. Make sure you get one with the correct size.

Then install a screen of some sort. There are several threads here that explain how to do it from, CHEAP to MODERATELY EXPENSIVE.

snoopy good advice.......
Old Apr 27, 2009 | 03:43 PM
  #7  
ChevyMgr's Avatar
Founding Member
 
Joined: 11-23-2007
Posts: 8,210
From: Texas
I don't think high pressure water could do that type of damage. I use car wash pressure water to clean the bugs out of mine and have no damaged fins.

Last edited by ChevyMgr; Apr 27, 2009 at 04:52 PM.
Old Apr 27, 2009 | 04:03 PM
  #8  
HipHotRod's Avatar
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Joined: 01-04-2008
Posts: 2,366
From: Long Beach, Ca
checked BEHIND my lower billet, all good down there.
Old Apr 27, 2009 | 04:59 PM
  #9  
hyperv6's Avatar
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Joined: 07-05-2008
Posts: 5,464
From: Akron Ohio
I have pressured washed a lot of radiators and never saw that happen before.

Get the comb as no one is going to pay.
Old Apr 27, 2009 | 08:08 PM
  #10  
Iceman's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: 01-30-2009
Posts: 106
From: Shelton washington
I went to Lowes and they have the mesh that is used for covering gutters to keep leaves out and made a mesh lower grill... I've had no-problems with rain,water,snow,rocks you name it it works great. The best part its the mesh was only $3.00 and took 10 min to cut it and put in the car..........

Edit:
heres a pic of the inside with the mesh grill very easy to install
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