Cleaning out cooling fins? V70R

cypilot · Post by **cypilot** » 11 May 2019, 22:43

I just picked up a 2005 V70R automatic w/ 270k miles on it. Got the maintenance records from the previous owner- a sheaf that represented over $20k in repairs over the last 7 years. All the big stuff was done- Angle gear, suspension, full brake job, headlights, new radiator, etc....

I drove it from Laguna Beach, CA to Ames, IA- 1750 miles trouble free at around 95 mph. When I got home I started to look it over and list things I want to do. #1 is to clean out the gunk and bug guts etc from the cooling fins. The visible fins are absolutely PACKED. I'd normally just blow them out with a pressure washer from the back side, but it doesn't look like the back side is easily accessible.

Any suggestions? I'm in no hurry and have the luxury of several other cars to drive, so if I need to disassemble to get these clean I will.

Post by **abscate** » 12 May 2019, 05:15

You can just pressure wash from front. That’s the AC condenser in front, by the way.

MDK · Post by **MDK** » 12 May 2019, 06:12

MDK here. If it was me . I'd take a garden sprayer and mix up some kind of de-bugging solution. Like a pre - treatment...go to the car wash. Maybe one of the part stores got something in a can .. you know.

Post by **oragex** » 12 May 2019, 06:25

Pull the fan assembly from there. Not that hard, two screws at the top, push the dipstick tube aside (better not remove it) then need to go slowly and looks for wires, top power steering hose. It slides on two brackets at the bottom. Fiddly but it comes out. Then can hose the rad from behind. I'd rather not replace it if it cools down well, start replacing parts that still work is what brings these cars down, because aftermarket parts are of variable quality.

By the way, 270K on a performance car, that's nice

cypilot · Post by **cypilot** » 12 May 2019, 06:43

Excellent. Many thanks. I'm going to pre-soak with Krud Kutter, then go from the front and see what happens.

Post by **chrism** » 12 May 2019, 06:56

cypilot wrote: 12 May 2019, 06:43 Excellent. Many thanks. I'm going to pre-soak with Krud Kutter, then go from the front and see what happens.

Krud Kutter - perfect!
Purple Power is another good one.

tardcart · Post by **tardcart** » 12 May 2019, 07:00

a pressure washer will deform the fins. they are delicate. even a hose on full stream will too.

EngineeringBloke · Post by **EngineeringBloke** » 12 May 2019, 20:58

If you remove the oil dipstick, be sure to cover the hole with plastic film or a rubber glove or similar if you then spray the area.

I seem to recall that 'oil and water don't mix'!!!!!