used radiator ?

[echo-francis]

my radiator is covered of rock impacts like the more bright spot on this one
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i want to know if that affect the coolant temp? because if yes a can change my radiator and be more grill block and save more gas

[Frank Lee]

It reduces the radiator's ability to cool but if you're going to block it off anyway, I wouldn't worry about it. Let the temp gauge be your guide.

If you want to fix it there are such things as fin combs which are tools for straightening bent fins. Or if you are very patient and don't mind tedious work, you can straighten fins with a pair of small screwdrivers or knives.

[CigaR007]

You should see my echo's radiator !



The upper part is fairly "clean". The bottom section is plugged and that is where all the incoming air cools the radiator. With my partial lower grille block, the cooling is working as it should, but I do have a feeling that it would be more efficient if the fins were in good shape.

If you want my opinion, keep your original radiator and save your money.

[Frank Lee]

Am I seeing that right? Not fin damage but stuff?... you should be able to clean that out with a shop vac and if not, a garden hose and/or an air hose from the back side (watch the pressure!!!)

[CigaR007]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

Am I seeing that right? Not fin damage but stuff?...

No no ! When I said "plugged", I meant it as the fins are bent and are plugging the openings. I did use a jeweler's screw driver and patiently unbent some of them but it was a tiresome process. I intend on buying a radiator/fin comb and undertake the task again, but only after the Winter.

[Frank Lee]

You might be a good candidate for the ol' window screen over the radiator trick.

[echo-francis]

Originally Posted by CigaR007

You should see my echo's radiator !

my radiator is a bit more dirty then yours.
i will just try to clean it but the problem is in the summer i can not be more then 20% grill block or the fan starts regularly (yes i hear my fan )

[Old Mechanic]

Try a hair brush for the debris, A bondo spreader (body filler) will do a decent job on straightening the fins, without any danger of piercing the coolant tubes.

That being said, making your radiator work better could actually reduce your mileage in cold weather. If you do not climb mountains or haul heavy loads, both of which will test the capacity of your radiator then you might just leave it alone.

Most radiators are getting tired at 10 years age, so consider that and price a new one if it is older than a decade. The tubes slowly clog up with gunk, just like some people's hearts and the max capacity to remove heat slowly declines. As you get close to the end of the life of the radiator the coolant coming out in the bottom hose becomes progressively more hot, until you reach the point where it can no longer keep your engine cool enough. The period of time just before failure can actually increase your fuel mileage.

Why?

Coolant exiting the radiator enters the running engine. The colder that coolant (new radiator versus old radiator) the more heat that same coolant will absorb from your engine. In some cases the difference can be 60+ degrees. Less heat removed from the engine means less heat lost from the fuel and more heat available for useful work.

Especially in winter.

regards
Mech

[tjts1]

Remove the radiator and spray it with high pressure water from the back.

[Frank Lee]

Originally Posted by tjts1

Remove the radiator and spray it with high pressure water from the back.

So that the fins on the back can be flattened out too?

Watch it- a hose with good pressure can lay those fins right down.