Gunked up radiator record...

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Aug 18, 2010 | 10:18 PM

devnull

Thread Starter

Scientific Negotiator

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From: USA

St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'10, '14

Gunked up radiator record...

I am a lazy S.O.B. and finally got around to cleaning out the radiator this weekend after the car just about melted. This is a common issue that plugs the radiator and chokes that already crappy fans, causing the temps to get crazy.

For those who don't think that cleaning the crap from your radiator wont make much difference, here is the proof.

Before (it would continue to get hotter until I'd shut it down at 250+ DEGREES coolant and > 245 degrees oil):

Pic of the offending junk. Seriously, THIS ALL CAME FROM THE RADIATOR!

and the happy cool car (in the stank Georgia heat too!!!). I have the fans set at 190 and a 160 stat in.

Aug 18, 2010 | 10:41 PM

MNR

Racer

Joined: Jun 2010

Posts: 416

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Nice!
Thats what I am doing next time I have some free time.

BTW, how many miles do you have on your car?

Aug 18, 2010 | 10:49 PM

devnull

Thread Starter

Scientific Negotiator

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From: USA

St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'10, '14

Quote:

Originally Posted by BurningRubberC5

Nice!
Thats what I am doing next time I have some free time.

BTW, how many miles do you have on your car?

Just over 65k now, all HARD!

I found the perfect tool too, you know that infomercial for the windshield cleaning wand? That thing works really well for getting in between the radiator and ac condenser! Keep in mind that the radiator is behind the condenser, and you will want to at least remove the intake bridge, shroud, etc and dislodge the radiator for a little wiggle room.

I had other things to do so I removed the entire unit, but you do not need to for this.

Aug 18, 2010 | 11:46 PM

seamus2154

Drifting

Joined: Nov 2008

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From: Palm Beach Florida

I used compressed air w/ a wand and got even more that that out at 17,000 mls. Couldn't believe it. I then put a protective screen across the bottom intake to reduce the big stuff. But the sand and dirt was unbelievable!

Aug 19, 2010 | 07:24 AM

Vetteman Jack

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St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26

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No wonder it was running that hot - heck of a lot of debris you flushed out. I look up into the radiator area every time I wash the car and clean out as needed.

Aug 19, 2010 | 11:54 AM

moserbe

Race Director

Joined: Dec 2005

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From: Wellsboro Pa

Recently when I replaced my water pump, I blew out all the small stones from both the condensor and radiator. What a pile that I ended up with, unbelievable.

Aug 19, 2010 | 04:47 PM

killain

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Joined: Aug 1999

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From: SE Pennsylvania

St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26

Oldtimer

Changing temps ?

Hope you changed out your DexCool @ 50K MI or five year mark. Mine runs about ten degrees cooler with a DexCool flush and refill. And I'd insrtall one of those air intake grills to keep any future trash/ leaves out of the radiator area.

Last edited by killain; Aug 21, 2010 at 07:14 AM.

Aug 20, 2010 | 02:41 PM

devnull

Thread Starter

Scientific Negotiator

Joined: Jul 2005

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From: USA

St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'10, '14

Quote:

Originally Posted by killain

Hope you changed out your DexCool @ 50K MI or five year mark. Mine runs about ten degrees cooler with a DexCool flush and refill.

I usually change it every two years anyway, and did just now too

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Aug 20, 2010 | 02:43 PM

devnull

Thread Starter

Scientific Negotiator

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From: USA

St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'10, '14

Quote:

Originally Posted by seamus2154

I have got to get a wand too!

Aug 20, 2010 | 09:49 PM

#10

robsc501

Drifting

Joined: Apr 2007

Posts: 1,496

Likes: 1

From: LEBANON PA.

Hi There,
Heres the perfect tool for rad. cleaning. Do a google: mtn9762
Tool is $ 13.73 & 13.24 for shipping. No logic there. I have this blow gun but have not used it.Waiting for cooler weather.lol
robsc501

Aug 20, 2010 | 11:34 PM

#11

devnull

Thread Starter

Scientific Negotiator

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From: USA

St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'10, '14

Quote:

Originally Posted by robsc501

PERFECT!!! Thanks bud!

Aug 20, 2010 | 11:41 PM

#12

Kale

Team Owner

Joined: Feb 2000

Posts: 51,504

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From: Sacramento CA

I just cleaned mine tonight. To keep it from getting dirty again I stuffed a bunch of towels between the condenser and radiator. Should keep it nice and clean. :cheerS:

Aug 21, 2010 | 12:41 AM

#13

jdot

Drifting

Joined: May 2010

Posts: 1,371

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From: Somerset Kentucky

I have a high pressure sprayer. Is that too much psi to clean the radiator? Should I just take things apart and do it by hand?

Aug 21, 2010 | 01:06 AM

#14

itzza427

Le Mans Master

Joined: Sep 2007

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From: Belleville Il

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdot

I have a high pressure sprayer. Is that too much psi to clean the radiator? Should I just take things apart and do it by hand?

I want to hear this too!!

Aug 21, 2010 | 02:13 AM

#15

moserbe

Race Director

Joined: Dec 2005

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From: Wellsboro Pa

Quote:

Originally Posted by robsc501

Thanks, ordered mine tonight.

Aug 21, 2010 | 02:55 AM

#16

soggysailor

Pro

Joined: Nov 2005

Posts: 626

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From: Fresno CA

Harbor Freight sells the 24" tool.......4.99

Aug 21, 2010 | 08:42 AM

#17

robsc501

Drifting

Joined: Apr 2007

Posts: 1,496

Likes: 1

From: LEBANON PA.

Hi There,
I looked for the one at h/freight.I did not see it where the rest of the blow guns where.Others may want to save some money.Whats the item number? To the other poster. I think evil twin stated that 30 or 40 psi is sufficient.(do a forum search on radiator cleaning) I want to cut & fit a piece of cardboard to put in between the condenser & the radiator to catch all the dirt when blowing out the radiator.
I just remembered to use the control key & the letter n to open up a new screen at the same time.I looked at h/freight's 24" blow gun item # 35226. It is $4.99 however the tip is on a 45 degree angle & not a 90. When you heat aluminum it tends to crack instead of bending.
robsc501

Aug 21, 2010 | 10:05 AM

#18

devnull

Thread Starter

Scientific Negotiator

Joined: Jul 2005

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From: USA

St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'10, '14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kale

I just cleaned mine tonight. To keep it from getting dirty again I stuffed a bunch of towels between the condenser and radiator. Should keep it nice and clean. :cheerS: