Cleaning out leaves from Radiators

[COF139]

I need to clean out the fronts of the radiators.

I have already cleared out the new leaves which was straightforward. But some of the old stuff is not so easy to get at. The older stuff is mostly composted around the radiator, and reaching in is not easy.

Two options:

1) remove the front spoiler to improve access
2) Use my power washer to reach in

The power washer option is more straight forward, but just wonder if any of you think I could cause damage by doing this.

So opinions welcome , including any other useful suggestions on how to clean this area.

 

[SteveMorrow]

This may help:
http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/tm.asp?m=429801

 

[adrian996]

Hi Stuart. I wouldn't use a power washer as that will just blow all the tiny bits of leaf into the radiator grills where it will fester away at the alloy. For what it's worth; I make sure that mine are as dry as possible (you can even use a hairdryer to do this if you need to) and then get your Hoover (or Dyson) and suck said oomska out! This will do the trick.

I'm led to believe that this isn't usually the end of the problem of crud in there though. The problem is that it also manages to get between the front radiator and the condenser rad that lay behind both front rads. There's a gap of about half an inch or so between the rad and the condenser and it all gathers there. the only way to get this stuff out is to remove the front PU and then the front rads. There's a thread on here somewhere with pictures of the job being done and it's pretty depressing when you see what comes out of there! Quite a big job which I haven't ever attempted but I just keep and eye on how much is visible at the front - which I assume reduces the amount that gets between the two rads...?

Adrian.

 

[COF139]

Cheers both for the replies. I will venture to get more of the stuff out tomorrow!

 

[jonbentley]

agree with above, i took my front bumper off last year and the crap that came out from between the two rads each side was a bucket full!
you can try with a piece of hose pipe connected to the vacuum cleaner, that works and it less damaging than a pressure washer, and will remove it, but as above to get it properly clean and help minimise corrosion of the rads on the inside faces, best to get the bumper off, once its off leanign the front rad out to clean between them both is dead easy

drop me a pm if you need any more pointers
jon