Keeping C4S rad's clear

I thought I'd check the radiators for leaves etc., and found a use for a radiator paint roller. Good for getting through grilles and extracting leaves from the very back of the radiator cavities. Not sure if it's been mentioned before but thought it might be a useful tip. I see it mentions in the service manual " Radiators and air intakes: Visual inspection for exterior soiling and blockage". Not sure how much the OPC's do in the service but did see a thread recently where the whole front bumper etc., of a Boxster was removed to clean the rad's. Rgds John

I saw that thread aswell - printed it off and did my rads last month, I couldn't believe the amount of rubbish that was stuck between the air con rad and the engine rad, and my car has only done 52,000 miles. I must say that I have seen a marked difference in engine running temp when sitting in traffic. The cooling fans used to take a good while to get the temp back down again, but since I cleaned them out, the temp comes down twice as fast and the fans only run for half their usual time. I always take my car off the road in the winter anyway, as it is a second car, but the leaves must be a nightmare in those ducts during this time of year. I would have a go at doing the ducts yourself - it is very easy and takes about 4 hours from start to finish - think how much the dealer will rob you for that!! At least you know it will be done properly, rather than a quick jet wash and an airline shoved in the ducts.

Sorry guys a bit confused here. Do you mean leaves & stuff stuck down infront of the side rads that you can see if you look through the external grill? Or are there other places that leaves can collect. I cleaned mine out at the weekend & it took me about 10 mins, I just got an old hoover & fitted a thin attachment then poked it through the grill & sucked out any stuff sitting in front of the rads. Not sure how it could take 4 hours unless I am missing something? Cheers J PS: Could someone direct me to that link mentioned ? PPS : Dealers do the job by removing the front bumper which, of course, adds about 2 hours labour charge to the job !

You can vac out the large leaves etc. What you can't get at is the decomposed/decaying leaf-mould, dirt and dust that clogs the rads up. Here are the instructions --> CLICK <-- Worth doing evey couple of years - especially if the car is used in autumn, or in dirty/dusty conditions.

Cheers for that - I just know once I have removed it I wont be able to get it all back together !

I know what you mean! The problem I had getting it back together, was that it wouldn't go on (no matter what!) [ ] I eventually found the problem - the rubber shrouds (from the bumper to the rads) need to be guided in to place at the top of the bumper. This is because they naturally "droop" slightly, and then when you put the bumper back, you can't see that they are interfering with your being able to slide it back on. All you need to do is slide your hand in the rad openings in the bumper, and push them up a little. Then the bumper slides home no problem.[8D]

V true. It is worth getting someone to give you a hand for 10 mins while you refit the bumper.

My car is about to be serviced, so I thought I would ask what the OPC would charge for removing the bumper and cleaning it for me (since I thought they might be able to do it quickly). The reckoned on 1.5 hours = £150 + VAT. I asked whether they recommend removing the bumper from time to time. They said no. The just use a hoover with a long thin nozzle. Although hoovering the rads out is not part of any service schedule. I have asked them to hoover out mine (since it should only take a few mins.) I'll tell you what they charge for the privelege in 10 days time. Since they also admitted that leaving leaves and other detritus in there will eventually cause the rads to corrode, I am not sure whether this should be a standard part of servicing. I also think it would be a design improvement on road focussed cars to have some sort of trap door or flap or slider that could be opened from underneath to let all the rubbish and stones drop out.

I found a section of plastic pipe in my 997 intake . I had considered fitting a Cargraphic mesh to the intakes ( see http://www.cargraphic.de/index.php?&resolution=1024 ) . I asked for advice from the forum and it was suggested that the mesh might cause overheating. It will certainly keep all the c**p from getting at the radiators. You might consider the mesh for your car. Does anybody have any experience of this mesh etc Jonathan