help hosing out radiator debris
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 271
Likes: 0
From: New Bern NC
help hosing out radiator debris
I read the recent posts about the Vette being a bottom feeder.
Sucking up grass,pine needles, ect. and getting quite a cache saved up between the condenser and radiator.
Last night I took off the shroud that cavers the top of them and I can see some debris through the small air space between them.
MY QUESTION: How do I back flush them with a hose with the fans and fan shrouds in the way?
I think that back flush means shooting the water through from rear to front but see no way to it.
Thanks in advance for your help.
Sucking up grass,pine needles, ect. and getting quite a cache saved up between the condenser and radiator.
Last night I took off the shroud that cavers the top of them and I can see some debris through the small air space between them.
MY QUESTION: How do I back flush them with a hose with the fans and fan shrouds in the way?
I think that back flush means shooting the water through from rear to front but see no way to it.
Thanks in advance for your help.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 18,401
Likes: 3
From: Retired but working
Cruise-In VI Veteran
I just used my air compressor on mine. I removed the air cleaner, and the radiator cover (caution fan plastic cover) to expose both the radiator and the condensor.
Once removed I covered the Throttle body opening (used Saran Wrap Press and seal, worked great)
There is a space of about 1 1/2 inches between the radiator and the condensor. You wouldn't believe all the crap between the two of them.
I have a 3/8" extension pipe (copper) made for my compressor and its got a 90 degree bend and about 18 " long.
I use it between the rad and the cond then put it down between the fan bank and the radiator. The sand and stones just rain out.
I have a similar pipe made for my garden hose 1/2" and fanned out at the end and do the same thing. Again more crap comes out. It takes time, but I've been running on the average of 4 degrees cooler on both the coolant and A4 tranny temp. Sounds cumbersom but it works.
Once removed I covered the Throttle body opening (used Saran Wrap Press and seal, worked great)
There is a space of about 1 1/2 inches between the radiator and the condensor. You wouldn't believe all the crap between the two of them.
I have a 3/8" extension pipe (copper) made for my compressor and its got a 90 degree bend and about 18 " long.
I use it between the rad and the cond then put it down between the fan bank and the radiator. The sand and stones just rain out.
I have a similar pipe made for my garden hose 1/2" and fanned out at the end and do the same thing. Again more crap comes out. It takes time, but I've been running on the average of 4 degrees cooler on both the coolant and A4 tranny temp. Sounds cumbersom but it works.
Supporting Tuner
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,311
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
I just used my air compressor on mine. I removed the air cleaner, and the radiator cover (caution fan plastic cover) to expose both the radiator and the condensor.
Once removed I covered the Throttle body opening (used Saran Wrap Press and seal, worked great)
There is a space of about 1 1/2 inches between the radiator and the condensor. You wouldn't believe all the crap between the two of them.
I have a 3/8" extension pipe (copper) made for my compressor and its got a 90 degree bend and about 18 " long.
I use it between the rad and the cond then put it down between the fan bank and the radiator. The sand and stones just rain out.
I have a similar pipe made for my garden hose 1/2" and fanned out at the end and do the same thing. Again more crap comes out. It takes time, but I've been running on the average of 4 degrees cooler on both the coolant and A4 tranny temp. Sounds cumbersom but it works.
Once removed I covered the Throttle body opening (used Saran Wrap Press and seal, worked great)
There is a space of about 1 1/2 inches between the radiator and the condensor. You wouldn't believe all the crap between the two of them.
I have a 3/8" extension pipe (copper) made for my compressor and its got a 90 degree bend and about 18 " long.
I use it between the rad and the cond then put it down between the fan bank and the radiator. The sand and stones just rain out.
I have a similar pipe made for my garden hose 1/2" and fanned out at the end and do the same thing. Again more crap comes out. It takes time, but I've been running on the average of 4 degrees cooler on both the coolant and A4 tranny temp. Sounds cumbersom but it works.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
I use an air compressor with a long thin metal wand to get up or down and between the radiator and Compressor.
I also made a wire extension to a baby bottle brush too. That way I can also push the baby bottle brush up between the radiator and condensor. This also pulls out lots of grass.
I also made a wire extension to a baby bottle brush too. That way I can also push the baby bottle brush up between the radiator and condensor. This also pulls out lots of grass.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
Just rember it not to clean the infents ( kids or grand kids ) bottles with the brush after.
Just like dont put the kitty litter back into the cats box after you soaked up the spilled oil on your garage floor.
Just like dont put the kitty litter back into the cats box after you soaked up the spilled oil on your garage floor.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,787
Likes: 139
From: center of Kalifornia
I lifted up the front a little, got under and used a shop vac with a long brush to loosen up the junk. I think I used one of those long refrigerator ones. I also loosened up the fan shroud to push some of it down. Got 99% of it out.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 572
Likes: 0
From: Wentzville Mo
I thought it was a waste of time to do pictures, but here is how I did mine a few days ago....;.
http://www.z06vette.com/forums/showthread.php?t=107783
http://www.z06vette.com/forums/showthread.php?t=107783
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 271
Likes: 0
From: New Bern NC
I thought it was a waste of time to do pictures, but here is how I did mine a few days ago....;.
http://www.z06vette.com/forums/showthread.php?t=107783
http://www.z06vette.com/forums/showthread.php?t=107783
Directions even I can follow.Thanks
This should be put in the Tech Tips.page