Date:         Wed, 1 Aug 2001 10:12:08 -0700
Reply-To:     Randy Bergum <organslave@EARTHLINK.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Randy Bergum <organslave@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject:      Re: Cleaning radiator exterior?
Comments: To: Tarheel <puzerewski@MSN.COM>
Content-Type: multipart/alternative;

Hi All:
    On radiators - clean the fins by shooting water or coil cleaner
through the back side to force the crud out the front.  Not too much
pressure now..........  The same can of coil cleaner (citrus based) is
used on the rear evaporator coil in the A/C system.  You will have to
remove the expanded mesh grill to get up close, but you will find that
you don't need it any way......

Fin combs can be bought at an HVAC supply house, and they usually have
several sizes of pitch available on it.  This is the tool to use if your
fins are bent up.

Hope it helps..

Randy Bergum
1990 Carat


Tarheel wrote:

> Be very careful using a pressure washer on radiator fins.  I have seen
> them bend from this. If there is a HVAC guy on the list I bet that he
> could tell us what sort of spray is used to clean condensers and
> evaporators.........  Tarheel
> 81 westy (2 of them)
> 74 beetle
> 73 Transporter (new!!!!!!!) Total resto in progress Vanagon
> Partsmobiles
>
>      ----- Original Message -----
>      From:Alan Watts
>      To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>      Sent: Wednesday, August 01, 2001 6:31 PM
>      Subject: Re: Cleaning radiator exterior?
>       There are lots of birds around my house and they enjoy the
>      buffet-style meals the radiator gives them!  My plastic
>      grill got destroyed in a wreak, so they have easy access to
>      all the insect delicacies!  My radiator has been picked
>      dry!  A high-power water sprayer would probably do the trick
>      too, but I'm sure birds would be sad to see such fine food
>      being washed away. Alan  At 4:20 PM -0600 8/1/01, Karen
>      Olson wrote:
>
>     > It looks like my 1984 Vanagon radiator is a bit clogged
>     > with bugs.
>
>     > I cleaned off those sticking to the front, but shouldn't I
>     > be able to see through the radiator cooling fins? Anyone
>     > have suggestions for cleaning/removing the embedded bugs
>     > for better air flow?
>
>     >
>
>     > Thanks!
>
>     >
>
>     > Scott Maurer (Boise)
>

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