z28_n_tx

iTrader: (7)

i took my lid off and the big plastic pliece under it, theres a bunch of dirt and small particles in there, i can also see that the radiator fins are full with dirt and small rocks.. whats the best way to clean it without messing it up....will bending a fin or 2 damage it ???

i was thinking of using a garden water hose for the condensor and the rad...

01ssreda4

iTrader: (96)

You can hose it off no problem, but you dont wanna drench your fan motors with water. If possible disconnect them and pull them out of the way and go to town.

robertbartsch

compressed air blown from the back to the front works well.

djfury05

iTrader: (30)

put a 2x4 or something similar wedged in there between the radiator and A/C condenser and lightly bang the radiator against it. you don't have to slam it. just some nice small but sturdy hits against the 2x4 will loosen a lot of it up.. then just go through the back side like Robertbartsch said and use compressed air to get some more out. Be advised you will not get all of the crud out of it no matter what you do.

LS6427

iTrader: (2)

Its not the radiator that you need to clean. Its the condensor. If you see crap in the radiator, that means your condensor is TRASHED......

If its never been done...spend the time to take the condensor and radiator all the way out and have them both cleaned by a radiator shop. You'll run so much cooler with the A/C "on" and in general and your A/C will work much better. Its worth 2 hours of work and about $40.00 for them to clean it professionally and completely.

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01ssreda4

iTrader: (96)

Why dont you add in the cost of having his ac system recharged?

LS6427

iTrader: (2)

Oh yeah, forgot that...$30.00 to have a shop capture it and then give it back later. At least around here thats what they charge, especially if its the shop that does the cleaning.

Or just recharge it yourself for under $20.00.

z28_n_tx

iTrader: (7)

i dont think its trashed....the thing blows out ice . go figure never had any prob and the ac works 10 better than my wifes 07 vw. i just noticed all that dirt when i removed the lid today.

Mr Incredible

I made a sprayer out of a long aluminum water wand like you water your plants with. I cut off the end, squeezed it shut and folded it over, and drilled some small holes for the spray. I dismantled the radiator supports until I could slide the sprayer down behind the radiator and sprayed it from the back side. It will push out dirt and little rocks. It helped to spray it first with some foamy engine block cleaner. That was some nasty, dirty stuff that came out.