Best way....

Dave H (MI) · Dec 21, 2010

to clean a radiator? This would be the cra..er crud, caught in the exterior cooling fins. Thinking blast it with some air and maybe a dental pick gently on the rest. Never get it all out but it's pretty loaded up. Don't know why I am surprised...

Janicholson · Dec 21, 2010

When cold (as in Michigan) air is about it. If it is outside and still on the unit, solvents will take off paint. A degreaser like Gunk, or Scrubbing Bubbles if it is warm will help the air immensely . Do not use full pressure air or go closer than a foot. A setting of 20 psi and a ported air gun would be OK, but do not tempt fate too close. High pressure washers take the core right out of most radiators. A stiff bristle brush (not Wire) can also get build up off the front so cleaner can get closer to the core tubes. Do not be aggressive. Jim

Dave H (MI) · Dec 21, 2010

Kinda thought it was worth a feeler question. Worried about full pressure. Rad is off the tractor as this is actually a reassembly after painting. Getting ready to put it on and noticed it was crammed with junk. I will go easy with it and much thanks!

Erkel3 · Dec 21, 2010

I"ve done it several times with my steam cleaner but have found that you want to stay about two feet away and just let the hot water work it"s magic. Any closer and you run the risk of a real disaster. Jim was right about it taking out a core if you"re not really careful. Thanks,Tony

ScottyHOMeY · Dec 21, 2010

In keeping with my view of the kitchen as an extension of my workspace (roasting crank pulleys, rebuilding Touch Controls on the kitchen table) might I suggest a good soak in the bathtub with a slimy feeling mixture of Tide or Oxydol? After a judicious touch with an air nozzle, as has been recommended, to get the heavier and looser stuff off, and some more air at the end to blow out anything that didn't wash away on its own.

It might even loosen up some of the scale on the inside, which can be rinsed with a good hot run with only water in the cooling system after reassembly, that by way a final leak check before final filling with anti-freeze. A good douse with the shower head should rinse it clean enough to take a very nice coat of flat black before re-installation.

scotc · Dec 21, 2010

I'll use air any day over a pressure washer. Never had any trouble just sticking an air gun on the end of the hose though....

On the dozer we soaked it with three or four cans of B'laster and let it sit for an hour. Hit it with another can and started rinsing with the water hose. Really did a number on it. It was caked up with dust from having a cooler line blow and spray oil up in front of it. This spring I was disking with a 7810 Deere that had spent it's previous life on a silage bunk. Blow it out, go make a round, blow it out, go make a round. The dirt would only come out when the radiator was hot. Ti was baaaaaaaaaaaaaadddd.

Brownie 450 · Dec 22, 2010

We use the old Tractor Supply pressure washer to blow out the combine radiators. Of course, old Bessie is not good for more than 200 pounds of pressure now, & we stay a foot away from the cores. Go both ways several times & give a few minutes of soak time when going between front & back.

Bkpigs · Dec 22, 2010

I have just used a garden hose and nozzle. It gets it fairly clean, a little dawn soap helps get the oil and grease out.

Harold Hubbard · Dec 22, 2010

If it is off the machine anyway, it might be worth it to take it to a radiator shop and have it boiled out and tested for leaks. It depends on whether you have time for it, and a GOOD shop close within a reasonable distance.

Farmallhal · Dec 22, 2010

Dave, When I restored my Super C last year I naturally had the radiator off and took it into the local radiator shop. Even though there was no evidence of any leaking I wanted it checked and cleaned out. The old timer at the shop said he's never seen one that didn't have a couple small leaks of that age. He told me the crud and stuff form a seal around those small leaks and they won't appear until the tractor gets really hot from use. You might want to have it checked out while it is off the tractor and you won't have to mess up a nice paint job later. Just what I was told and yes I did have a couple small leaks down in the lower corners when all the crud was removed, Hal.

Dave H (MI) · Dec 22, 2010

Lots of good info and thanks for taking the time to post it!! Think I will try a few of the gentler ideas first and finish it up with the air at low pressure. Power washing in Michigan in December has no appeal whatsoever so I'll save that for summer radiator jobs!

And being as it is a Cub Loboy which, IMHO, is a really difficult tractor to take apart and worse to put back together ESPECIALLY when it has just been painted...I think it can go to the radiator shop for a once over.

Appreciate the help!

Best way....

Dave H (MI)

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Janicholson

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Dave H (MI)

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Erkel3

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ScottyHOMeY

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scotc

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Brownie 450

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Bkpigs

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Harold Hubbard

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Farmallhal

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Dave H (MI)

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