Portable Radiator Cleaner

[Adam Karp]

Hey Dudes,

Spanish mud has always freaked me out a bit because of the way it drys....like pottery!

I like the rest of you don't want a brick wall for a radiator, so I was trying to come up w/ some sort of guard only used for offroad that would keep some of the crap out. But I came across this on a FJ forum that seems like a great idea. I should've thought of it really seeings how I work with the damn things everyday!! Check it! easy and cheap.

 

Cleaning MUD out of your radiator

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After reading through a destroyed motor thread, I figured I would post this thread. I picked up on a trick used by a great many water cooled ATV riders when I was riding my ATV off road a lot.

MUD has the same effect on a water cooled ATV as it does on your FJ, or any other rig for that matter. It gets into the radiator and prohibits good air flow thus allowing the engine to overheat.

I started carrying a bilge pump with me on the ATV and now carry it in the FJ. You simply attach a set of alligator clips to the power leads of the pump, I also extended the power lines and purchase a 10’ or longer length of hose to fit the pump. I also added a tapered end to the hose that boosts the pressure.

When you go through heavy mud or muddy water you stop at the first water source, or even water you carry on board and use the pump to spray out the radiator. Make sure that you spray from both the front and the rear of the radiator and do it with the engine not running (you get to keep fingers that way.

Cheap insurance for a common problem.

The whole idea of using the bilge pump is to get as much mud out of the radiator and AC evaporator before you drive too far and it hardens up. This is only a preliminary cleaning and the radiator and evaporator should be cleaned well when you get off the trails as well.

[Alfred Balban]

My toyota has a roll up screen that you pull down infront of the radiator to keep the mud from getting into the crevises of the radiator.It is really simple to fit one on.

[Adam Karp]

Is that a factory thing Alfred? I'd like to check it out next time i see you

[Alfred Balban]

Yes it s an original Toyota product,came from the factory,you just have to remember to pull it up once you have passed the mud section.

[tuggy]

correct,,,after each off road you do,,,if you have been in mud,,,it takes two mins to pop the lid and just check your rad isnt full of sh1te if it is clean it as soon as poss,,,,,heat kills engines,,,,,,,