radiator fin cleaning

[Jadranko]

after interesting outing this weekend where lots of driving through tall grass was required(seed net was on)
i decided yesterday afternoon to take a look at radiator.
looking at it through grill didn't show much,so just in case i decided to remove grill.
surprise ,surprise.space between front fan and radiator was completely clogged which push me to decide and remove
coolant tank and covers from the top of second radiator.
now ,that was a surprise.space between two radiators looked as someone swept a floor at barber shop and dispose
everything in there.
with a piece of 2 mm wire,slowly moving it between the two without touching fins all loose grass hair fell out leaving
stuck ones.
this was a moment i decided to start dismantling.
luckily as i removed front fan wife brings coffee and asks what am i up to.
i explain and ask for tweezers to pull grass out.this is where wife's ingenious came in to play,as she suggested
to try toothbrush.
skeptical i said ok,went and took tooth brush with soft bristles,one without those fancy gum massage thingies.
tooth brush like they use to be 30 years ago.
as fan was removed already i tried brushing softly from top towards bottom.
80% of seeds and short grass was out in 5 min.what was left is long,thin ,hair like strings that went through both radiators.
tweezers took those in next 5min.
to clean space between radiators(about 20-25 mm wide) i cut brush head of and stick it on heated 2mm wire used before.
this took few minutes longer as brush was oriented vertically now.
quick check with shinning light proved that radiator was clean.
job that took me two days last month was done in 1 hour now.
packet of 5 cheap toothbrushes is in my tool box from now on.



if anyone else have any good idea or experience in cleaning radiators please post it.

[Paul#25]

The way you did the cleaning was the best way that I know of. The worst thing to try is a pressure washer or compressed air as they just bend the edges of the fins over which blocks the airflow even more.

[HenriSteyn]

Maak n plan!

Please post some photos of the tooling used?

Thanks

[henris]

There is another way. Let the engine run and burn them out with a blowtorch.
But, if it is mud, you are stuffed. I am now ready to replace my radiator, due to this.

[grips]

The way you did the cleaning was the best way that I know of. The worst thing to try is a pressure washer or compressed air as they just bend the edges of the fins over which blocks the airflow even more.

For many years I have cleaned them successfully with a pressure washer. Including mud and grass seeds. Uses the nozzle with the wide spray pattern. Have never damaged any fins.

[Paul#25]

The way you did the cleaning was the best way that I know of. The worst thing to try is a pressure washer or compressed air as they just bend the edges of the fins over which blocks the airflow even more.

For many years I have cleaned them successfully with a pressure washer. Including mud and grass seeds. Uses the nozzle with the wide spray pattern. Have never damaged any fins.

Yes Grips it can be done if you are careful like you explain. The damage is caused when the standard nozzle is used and it is sprayed close by and at an angle.

[Jadranko]

HenriSteyn this is it:

[Jadranko]

Henris and Grips thanks for your ideas.They will work great on face of a radiator.Mahindra have two thin ones with narrow
space in between and that was most clogged area.


i have been sunk in mud before but luckily bash plates prevent sinking to deep,so no issues with mud so far.

[Jadranko]

another successful radiator cleaning using toothbrush.
this is where it get clogged.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kvUxTaK7MA




one day ill fix time and date on dash cam.