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YOUR RESEARCHAny Tips on Radiator Cleaning w/Out Bumper Removal
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Clean many parts along the way
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I did my 2004 in about two hours the first time and went very slow, and cleaned many parts along the way, that I probably didn't need to do.
Any Tips on Radiator Cleaning w/Out Bumper Removal
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Leading evidence: 'Clean many parts along the way' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, The most frequently discussed action is 'Check please let me know' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
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Bet you're glad you cleaned your radiators after seeing what was still wedged in there.
Any Tips on Radiator Cleaning w/Out Bumper Removal
Use "brushes"
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Funny thing is I always read how people used "brushes" to clean their radiators.
Any Tips on Radiator Cleaning w/Out Bumper Removal
Check please let me know
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Suggestion
If you live in Connecticut and are missing a check please let me know...
Any Tips on Radiator Cleaning w/Out Bumper Removal
Clean 996 radiator" and two videos should pop up
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Suggestion
Search youtube for "how to clean a 996 radiator" and two videos should pop up.
Any Tips on Radiator Cleaning w/Out Bumper Removal
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Guys, Just curious how/if any of you guys clean your radiators effectively without removing the front bumper.
I understand this is not ideal and reaching the back is problematic, but wondering what people do on an ongoing basis between full cleaning.
Thanks.
Shop vac w/a thin/long attachment does a decent job. I usually spray hot water to dissolve salt or crud from the back side at low pressure also. Easier to do if the car's raised obviously.
I reached into my center radiator to see what may be lurking and found a blank check. If you live in Connecticut and are missing a check please let me know...
TIA
The issue is that sure it is easy to stick a shop vac into the air duct and vacuum out the debris in front of the radiator/A/C evaporator assembly, but that is not where the problematic debris is.
Where the main blockage happens is fine debris that get stuck between the radiator and evaporator, and in the cooling fins in both pieces.
The front bumper cover has to be removed to get at this stuff.
does anyone have a "how to" on an 2002 or later? Apparently it is fastened differently than the MK1 in the videos and I have failed on a couple occassions to get it apart.
I'm not sure how it is different, there are a couple of fasteners on top, some on the bottom, and some behind the side marker lights and in the wheel wells.
Where are you having problems?
I attached a 18" long 1/4" tube to the end of an air compressor nozzle and gave the last 4" of it a 90 degree bend.
The combination of blowing air into all the crevises I could reach and sucking the crud out with a shop vac seemed to do a good job. I just kept rinse and repeating until no new debris showed up upon application of compressed air.
I just vacumed out a bunch of big leaves from each side.
I took a look with a flashlight after car had been running slightly above the normal temp spot.
It is only scary the first time.
I do not think 2002 - 2004 is different then earlier (possible some are screws vice plastic pins - but don't think so).
I did my 2004 in about two hours the first time and went very slow, and cleaned many parts along the way, that I probably didn't need to do.
Next time I am sure it will be under an hour.
I finally took the time to clean my radiators by removing the bumper. Search youtube for "how to clean a 996 radiator" and two videos should pop up. I watched the videos just to see how many screws there are to get to the radiators.
The front radiators I've kept clean over the years but as soon as I separated the radiator from the condenser debri fell to the ground.
I'm curious to know if anything gets behind the condenser?
I think it took me a leisurely 1hr 45 mins to complete the job. Also, I jacked up one side of the car however I never felt the need to raise the other side.
I drove the car for about 30 minutes and now my temperature gauge reads mostly to the middle of the zero in the "180" instead of just to the right of the zero. I wont know if cleaning aids in temperature drops until I simulate my daily commute on Monday.
Another excellent example of why it is necessary to remove the bumper and pull the radiator and evaporator apart to do a proper cleaning. Sticking a vacuum in the intake duct just does not get to the root of the problem.
On the question of "I'm curious to know if anything gets behind the condenser?"
The fan is directly behind the radiator so it is unlikely that any debris accumulate back there.
Good work!
True, in the first two pics you can see that my front radiators were pretty clean, I hadn't even begun to clean at those points.
Funny thing is I always read how people used "brushes" to clean their radiators. I had to use a full size kitchen style broom.
Sprays for cleaning are pricey when purchased from retailers. Your car radiator cleaning solution should contain either vinegar or baking soda if saving money is your goal. By removing rust, corrosion, and grime, these two assist in keeping a radiator's exterior clean. Clearly, this results in a noticeable, spotless radiator exterior.
As easy as the bumper is to remove just remove it and clean it throughly. I do it yearly during one of my oil changes.. usually I’m done around the same time the oil stops dripping
The 100 projects book has pictures, I find taking the headlights out makes handling the cover easier.
remove the thin rail across the trunk opening in front of the lights, few screws,
remove the screws on the bottom of the bumper , also you take the fender liners out,
easiest with the front tires off and a nice cordless screwdriver. Couple screws at the spoilers in front of the wheel wells.
After the first time you can probably take it off in 30 and put it back in 30, you'll be shocked at the pile of crud in there..
While your in there,,,,,, It's also the perfect time to test the fan resistors and fans for function.
Its a hour to 2 hours total if you also take time to really clean all over under there,, There is some spray called
condenser cleaner that cleans aluminum condensers and heat exchangers in AC units, works great to clean the
radiators but you must RINSE well.
Here's a picture that clarifies the need for removing the bumper, AND the condenser. The condenser doesn't have to be disconnected as in the picture, but can be moved a few inches to get access with brushes and compressed air. (Full disclosure: Not my Porsche. I haven't done this yet, but I'm convinced I need to remove the bumper and and unbolt two bolts that hold the condenser in place to get the pernicious fine hidden debris.)
