05-21-2024, 04:44 PM | #1 |
Damaged radiator fins (I'm hating myself)
So I went on a road trip
Had a lot of bugs Had a new electric power washer Never really used one on a car before Trying to clean radiator Now I'm cursing at myself I'm at 1100 miles and I'm already damaging my car. Really beating myself up over this. Possible solutions/fixed or am I boned? Will this cause issues? What's a replacement cost and would it be worth it ? Ugh. I'm really besides myself here. Makes me feel like I don't deserve something so nice.
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2024 2SS Camaro, Riverside Blue Metallic, NPP, F55, CF5, 5ZZ, VTU, S0O, 5KP, JF5, 2nd Gen GFX
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05-21-2024, 04:55 PM | #2 |
I cant see how an elec pressure washer could bend the fins. Did you use the 0 degree tip at like 3" away? Also a few fins bent like that isnt the end of the world. it will happen over time with road debris.
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2022 1SS 1LE 6M in Riverside blue
Found exact build local- ETA 7/31/22 New ETA - 7/26, 7/30, 7/31, 8/1, 8/8, 8/15, 8/21, 8/28, 9/17 8/24. IT HAS ARRIVED at the dealer 8/25- It is in the Garage ACS ZL1 Sideskirts, 20% tint, CAI Intake |
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05-21-2024, 05:18 PM | #3 |
Well I didn't expect it to either.
I was probably about 3 or 4" away at maybe 2 or 3° . I just didn't even think about it until it occured.
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2024 2SS Camaro, Riverside Blue Metallic, NPP, F55, CF5, 5ZZ, VTU, S0O, 5KP, JF5, 2nd Gen GFX
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05-21-2024, 05:22 PM | #4 |
Having FUN in the SUN...
Drives: 2022 M6 ZL1 1LE Join Date: Jan 2022
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No issues mechanically. If it bothers you aesthetically, you can try to straighten some of them out with a small pick, or just bite the bullet and use this opportunity to upgraded to a larger unit
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05-21-2024, 05:56 PM | #5 |
Drives: 2022 Wild Cherry ZL1 1LE Join Date: Mar 2021
Location: Fremont, CA
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I personally would take this as an excuse to stop sweating the small stuff, and just drive and enjoy the car as it was meant to be, my man
I won't lie, I did a couple of silly things to my own car... I still love it and wash it when I can to make it proud and shiny, but I'm not letting that get in the way of ultimately enjoying the car! Best, Geoff |
05-21-2024, 06:55 PM | #6 | |
Quote:
Also dont worry about it as it will end up looking like that eventually with small rocks flying in and bending them. Its very soft.
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2022 1SS 1LE 6M in Riverside blue
Found exact build local- ETA 7/31/22 New ETA - 7/26, 7/30, 7/31, 8/1, 8/8, 8/15, 8/21, 8/28, 9/17 8/24. IT HAS ARRIVED at the dealer 8/25- It is in the Garage ACS ZL1 Sideskirts, 20% tint, CAI Intake |
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05-21-2024, 07:05 PM | #7 |
Drives: 2020 Chevy Camaro ZL1 Join Date: Apr 2023
Location: Calgary Canada
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If you want to take the time, you can actually get a radiator fin comb, but it’s daunting. A small straight blade screwdriver is equally effective. And stick with an orange or green tip, 15° orange and 25° green.
Last edited by CalgaryZL1; 05-21-2024 at 07:20 PM. |
05-21-2024, 07:21 PM | #8 |
Drives: 2023 SS 1LE Sharkskin Join Date: Jun 2023
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I wouldn't worry about it, it's not going to effect anything. You could bend them back as suggested, but the problem is reaching them. I primarily use a 40 degree nozzle on my pressure washer, sometimes 25 degrees on the wheels only. When cleaning the radiator, I use a regular hose nozzle from about 2 feet away. Cleans the bugs off and causes no damage.
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05-21-2024, 07:26 PM | #9 |
Drives: 2022 Camaro ZL1 Join Date: Sep 2023
Location: Georgia
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Thats nothing. Like literally nothing.
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05-21-2024, 09:18 PM | #10 |
Drives: 2018 ZL1 Convertible M6 Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: USA
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I wouldn't worry about that at all. You're going to take rock hits that do more damage than that. The radiator is engineered in anticipation of some amount of fin damage.
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05-21-2024, 11:58 PM | #11 |
2020 Shadow Gray 2SS
Drives: 2020 2SS - A10, NPP, MRC, CAI Join Date: Dec 2019
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A few bent fins aren't going to hurt anything (I honestly thought your picture was a "Before" picture and was waiting for the "After" picture with all fins bent and no possible way for air flow-through)...
You can straighten those very carefully with small flat head screwdriver... And even if you did nothing, you aren't going to notice any cooling degradation...
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05-22-2024, 05:51 AM | #12 |
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It sure can, I damaged a small area of mine doing the same thing. I have a small electric Ryobi for cleaning the cars.
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05-22-2024, 06:57 AM | #13 |
like i said was it a 0 degree and 3" away. he said thats basically what he did. Using a proper 25-40 degree nozzle will not damage anything
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2022 1SS 1LE 6M in Riverside blue
Found exact build local- ETA 7/31/22 New ETA - 7/26, 7/30, 7/31, 8/1, 8/8, 8/15, 8/21, 8/28, 9/17 8/24. IT HAS ARRIVED at the dealer 8/25- It is in the Garage ACS ZL1 Sideskirts, 20% tint, CAI Intake |
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05-22-2024, 07:44 AM | #14 |
Drives: 2017 Camaro SS, 2011 Corvette GS Join Date: Feb 2019
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Clearly totaled. So sad.
That's nothing. Just use a small flat-blade screw driver or pick to straighten them. And be careful with a pressure washer. They can strip paint and flesh if you are not careful. |
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