Dirty radiator

[Burning oil]

Im replacing the entire a/c system on the 94 I just bought. The plan was to go ahead and clean the radiator while in there. Once I got the condenser off the radiator did'int look that bad so I was going to let it be. Then I thought, Just go ahead and do it. Im glad I did. Once I had it out and held up to the sunlight I could see it was dirty, but still did not look all that bad.
Well after an hour of blowing compressed air thought it it finaly came clean. I then soaked it with Purple Power, let that sit then hosed it off.

This thing was VERY dirty I got atleast 1/2 # of dirt, dust, little pebbles, leaves, pine needles..... No joke a 1/2# atleast.
Below is a picture after 10 minutes or so of blowing air. It was so bad I tought I better get the picture.
Anyway, now anytime I get the chance to clean the radiator I will.

 

[WarWagon]

Hmmm... Was that car back there originally black or is it from the dirt coming out of the radiator?

 

[Matt Bachand]

Truly is amazing. On any vehicle or equiptment.... I wish someone knew of a product to clean out the inside, can only imageing what that looks like after 15 years.

 

[bison]

There's radcleaner avalable,go to a rad shop,see what they use there.

 

[JiFaire]

The problem is getting something to dissolve the scale without dissolving the rad... I thought about using CLR once, or some of that industrial strength kettle descalant...

... but I could never work up the nerve to try it on my own rad.

Probably need to get a free rad out of a wrecked truck and try stuff like that.

 

[Burning oil]

The problem is getting something to dissolve the scale without dissolving the rad... I thought about using CLR once, or some of that industrial strength kettle descalant...

... but I could never work up the nerve to try it on my own rad.

Probably need to get a free rad out of a wrecked truck and try stuff like that.

Do you mean to clean the inside with?

 

[Matt Bachand]

Aye... how about balls enough to fill the coolant system with CLR? THat one guy used cascade!

 

[Joey D]

I used a condensor cleaner I got from an a/c supply house. Mix it with water and spray it on and it foams up forcing the dirt out of the fins. It takes the paint off but won't harm the aluminum.

 

[JMJNet]

My AC guy that service the house AC uses it. It is acid so make sure you thin it with a lot of water. I think he does 1oz per 10 gal of water.

 

[Burning oil]

I used a condensor cleaner I got from an a/c supply house. Mix it with water and spray it on and it foams up forcing the dirt out of the fins. It takes the paint off but won't harm the aluminum.

Thats a good idea.
I used expanding foam, but now can't get the foam out BUT seriously air worked real well and did not deform the fins.

 

[Matt Bachand]

Thats a good idea.
I used expanding foam, but now can't get the foam out BUT seriously air worked real well and did not deform the fins.

I used air until clean blow out first also, and no damage to fins, I got it right up in there too full blast, every square inch.

I wish someone had a good inside / cooling system flush chemicals.

 

[Burning oil]

I used air until clean blow out first also, and no damage to fins, I got it right up in there too full blast, every square inch.

I wish someone had a good inside / cooling system flush chemicals.

Yep, you can see how close I was in the picture. My compressor is a two stage and will pump up to 175, but by the time it made it to the end of the 100' hose it seems like only 100psi.

on a seperate note: My A/c is blowing snow balls now.