Gunked up radiator record...
Thread Starter
Scientific Negotiator
Joined: Jul 2005
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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.
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.
Thread Starter
Scientific Negotiator
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: USA
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'10, '14
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.
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!
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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.
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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.
Thread Starter
Scientific Negotiator
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From: USA
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'10, '14
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Thread Starter
Scientific Negotiator
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From: USA
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'10, '14
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
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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
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
Thread Starter
Scientific Negotiator
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: USA
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'10, '14
I want to hear this too!!
Race Director
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From: Wellsboro Pa
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
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
Thread Starter
Scientific Negotiator
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 6,721
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From: USA
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'10, '14
Thread Starter
Scientific Negotiator
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 6,721
Likes: 2,028
From: USA
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'10, '14