Radiator cleaning project this afternoon...
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Rocky Mountain High
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From: Kolorado
Radiator cleaning project this afternoon...
I decided to clean out my radiators this afternoon. I had never done it, although I had seen photos of the crap that can accumulate in there. Everything was pretty easy. When I got the ducts off and got to the radiators, I was truly shocked. There was so much crap in there, I can't believe my car hasn't overheated! There were leaves, there was dirt, bugs, cigarette butts, a piece of wood, and even the label from an Aquafina water bottle! It was disgusting! I'm so happy that's done. I won't wait this long again to clean them out.
Banned
Joined: May 2008
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From: Arlington Heights, IL
A great & easy way to keep that area clean now that you've done the hardest and biggest clean-up, is by using your leaf blower. Just before washing (dry) and after washing (wet), use your leaf blower to blow out any debris. Stuff will come flying out each time. Easy to do.
Prior to winter hibernation, I duct tape a 2 foot section of 3/4 inch tubing to my shop vac., and with a flashlight, I can vacuum up any remaining debris.
Also a great way to 95% dry the car, wheels, the wheel's barrels, cross drilled rotors & calipers, joints and seals. Less touching=less micro scratches.
Prior to winter hibernation, I duct tape a 2 foot section of 3/4 inch tubing to my shop vac., and with a flashlight, I can vacuum up any remaining debris.
Also a great way to 95% dry the car, wheels, the wheel's barrels, cross drilled rotors & calipers, joints and seals. Less touching=less micro scratches.
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From: Montreal, Quebec
im pretty sure a 996 bumper removal is the same as a 986
you have to remove both turn signal, there should be a couple of bolts there, remove them,
at the top and the bottom of the bumper there should be some bolts to remove also,
then, the bumper should be free and you just have to get it out of his spot,
the tricky part is after if you need to remove radiators, that took me a fck*** while
you have to remove both turn signal, there should be a couple of bolts there, remove them,
at the top and the bottom of the bumper there should be some bolts to remove also,
then, the bumper should be free and you just have to get it out of his spot,
the tricky part is after if you need to remove radiators, that took me a fck*** while
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Rocky Mountain High
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From: Kolorado
There's an excellent DIY guide on renntech.org. It even has a video. I followed that to remove my bumper and ducts. The hardest part of the bumper removal was getting the plastic wheel wells out from behind the bumper to reach one of the screws behind the side marker. Once that was done on each side, it came off easily. Once I got it apart and got down to the radiators, huge amounts of dirt fell out onto the garage floor. I then used a shop vac with a brush head to gently remove all the debris that was stuck on the radiators.
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Racer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 288
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From: Portland, Oregon
I used that diy, but was led astray. There seem to be two radiators on each side of the car, one stacked behind the other. The guide never said to depressurize the coolant, so I happily went and removed the front radiator, causing pressurized coolant to spew into the garage. Had to run to the engine & depressurize the tank, but that was not a fun experience.
Maybe it was common sense to depressurize it, but I'm surprised the guide never mentioned it. Did you have this issue?
Maybe it was common sense to depressurize it, but I'm surprised the guide never mentioned it. Did you have this issue?
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You don't need to disconnect the fluidic connections to the radiator to clean things. You just disconnect the screws/clips that hold the two together and you can move them apart to get in and clean things up.
-Shawn
-Shawn
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2001
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From: Indiana
There's an excellent DIY guide on renntech.org. It even has a video. I followed that to remove my bumper and ducts. The hardest part of the bumper removal was getting the plastic wheel wells out from behind the bumper to reach one of the screws behind the side marker. Once that was done on each side, it came off easily. Once I got it apart and got down to the radiators, huge amounts of dirt fell out onto the garage floor. I then used a shop vac with a brush head to gently remove all the debris that was stuck on the radiators.
The other thing I ran into was one of the retainer pins for the wheel liner broke so I had to run to the dealer for a replacement. Fortunately, I was on good terms with the parts guy so he just gave them to me, meaning I have no idea how much they'd cost if I broke one now.