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Topic: Is cleaning side radiator worthwhile? (Read 1101 times) previous topic - next topic

Is cleaning side radiator worthwhile?

I came across these cleaning side radiator videos, has anyone else done this, is it the correct way to clean, and is it safe?

I reccomend, and I have always used this product when doing this, not just the regular Simple Green.
The following "Extreme Simple Green" product specifically says it is safe on plastic and aluminum.
Amazon.com: Simple Green 13406 Extreme Aircraft and Precision Cleaner, 1...

https://youtu.be/Ib77_gigJlY

This guy is more thorough.
https://youtu.be/LPUv1TmLC-8

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97 U295 40, Build #5040, 6C8.3 325 HP
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Prev: 1990 Barth, 10L 300 2 yrs; 91&92 Monaco Signature, 10 yrs, 10L C 300 &  6C8.3 300; 1997 ForeT 6C8.3 325 since May 2017.  Employed by Guaranty RV 14+ yrs.  Former VW New Car Dlr/Service Dlr, Sales Mgr, Rv Sales, and Service Adviser from 1968-2017
"Don't criticize what you can't understand" Bob Dylan

Re: Is cleaning side radiator worthwhile?

Reply #1 –
Never used that but a good water hose and nozzle and some dish soap works good,don't want to damage the fins and the
radiator should just have dust and dirt anyway.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: Is cleaning side radiator worthwhile?

Reply #2 –
I've always used a degreaser like found at parts store or Walmart together with an eductor and air hose to clean all radiators.  Rinse with garden hose. Clean engines that way too. Best when warm, never with the engine running.

Think the wands at the car wash would have too much pressure, especially on radiators with fin rot.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Is cleaning side radiator worthwhile?

Reply #3 –
I am a new owner who is paying half-again the purchase price of the coach to replace the radiator and fan motors due (in large part) to salt damage.
I'd say it is worth keeping it clean and never to run on salted roads.
Bob and Pam Brumbaugh
Ernie (English Bulldog)
2000 U320 WTFE 40' Build # 5740 (former)
Xtreme "Lights and Paintjob"
Motorcade# 18659
Souderton, PA
Towd: 2021 Ford Ranger
Quickee Mini Golf Cart (former)

We Are....Penn State!

Re: Is cleaning side radiator worthwhile?

Reply #4 –
That's why we never take the coach north in the winter. Salted roads are the achilles heel of rear engine coaches. Our radiator still looks like new. Also the reason you take a close look at the history plus look at the bulkhead and radiator for corrosion. For the buyer, a battery screw gun can pull the side radiator cover off in less than 5 minutes where you can closely inspect for salt damage.

We took a trip to Yellowstone then Detroit in the winter with just the toad. In summer, the Bighorn Sheep in Yellowstone are difficult to find and photo. In winter, they are blocking the highway licking up the salt. Started with a new trailer hitch and ball. Not so new when we got home a few weeks later. Big reason lots of rocker panels and bottoms of fenders are gone in Michigan.

Betting that if salt did that to your hyd motors, it found it's way to the bulkheads, both front and back as well as anything electrical under the coach. Especially if you have the electrical panel under the coach and toward the rear where the boost solenoid, isolator are located . Some owners have moved it up to under the bed.

Pierce

Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Is cleaning side radiator worthwhile?

Reply #5 –
Yes clean water. Every cleaner has potential to possibly cause issues. Aluminum corrodes differently than brass. Being clean means there is no place for water/moisture to collect. We have quite hi water pressure and huge volume so I just use the hose and nozzle. I do operate in silt prone conditions. I have learned from backhoe to wash them out. It may be a dry dust but it still prevents cooling and lowers efficiency. If you are using a additive make sure is approved and non corrosive.
Scott

Re: Is cleaning side radiator worthwhile?

Reply #6 –
I have used that for awhile now. Have had no issues with this product.
Richard & Betty Bark & Keiko our Golden Doodle
2003 U320T 3820 PBDS
Build # 6215
MC # 16926
2016 Chevrolet Colorado 4X4 diesel

Re: Is cleaning side radiator worthwhile?

Reply #7 –
I got some coil cleaner to spray on my home AC condenser. Seemed to work well and I was wondering if that would work on the bus, as both are aluminum.

Len
Len and Deb Speiser
1999 U270 36'
2017 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
You're either on the bus, or you're off the bus!--Ken Kesey
If you're lucky enough to live in a bus, you're lucky enough!

Re: Is cleaning side radiator worthwhile?

Reply #8 –
I have not used, but I heard Simply Green works good for cleaning the radiator.
Alan Fink
Waupun, WI
2000 Blue Bird Wanderlodge  LX40
2018 F150 4x4
2020 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited  Rubicon JL

Re: Is cleaning side radiator worthwhile?

Reply #9 –
Any non caustic detergent that emulsifies the oil/dirt should work fine. Simple Green would be a good choice. A warm radiator is probably better than cold with water used to flush everything away.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Is cleaning side radiator worthwhile?

Reply #10 –
We would not use regular Simple Green on aluminum & aluminum fins. There is an Aircraft formulation that we use.

From Simple Green: Simple Green | Frequently Asked Questions

Aluminum -- Is it safe to use Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner on aluminum?

When used with caution and according to the instructions, Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner has been safely and successfully used to clean aluminum. Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner, Crystal Simple Green Industrial Cleaner & Degreaser, and Simple Green Pressure Washer Concentrates have been used on aircraft, automotive, industrial and consumer aluminum items for over 20 years. However, caution and common sense must be used: aluminum is a soft metal that easily corrodes with unprotected exposure to water. The aqueous-base and alkalinity of Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner can accelerate the corrosion process.

Therefore, contact times for unprotected or unpainted aluminum surfaces should be kept as brief as the job will allow - never for more than 10 minutes. Large cleaning jobs should be conducted in smaller-area stages to achieve lower contact time. Rinsing after cleaning should always be extremely thorough - paying special attention to flush out cracks and crevices to remove all Simple Green product residues. Unfinished, uncoated or unpainted aluminum cleaned with Simple Green products should receive some sort of protectant after cleaning to prevent oxidation.

Simple Green has also developed break-through water based cleaners that are safe for use on metals, plastics, rubber and high tech alloys. Extreme Simple Green Aircraft & Precision Cleaner, Pro Series Simple Green Automotive Cleaner, and Simple Green Pro HD are available on both the industrial and retail markets, respectively. These products were initially developed for the aircraft industry and extensive testing shows that they are safe and effective on a variety of metals and other sensitive surfaces even in the most extreme circumstances.

Simple Green Stainless Steel One Step Cleaner & Polish is another option for cleaning polished aluminum. This product is designed for light duty metal cleaning and polishing.

Re: Is cleaning side radiator worthwhile?

Reply #11 –
My opinion.

If the radiator has not been cleaned regularly, flushing and chemicals is not enough.  Our previous coach (DP side radiator), after several chemical and hose cleanings, I was able to extract a quart jar full of twigs, leaves, scraps of plastic from between the radiator and CAC.

Our current FT, after several thorough washes, I extracted about 1/2 cup of gravel from between the radiator and trans cooler.
Matt B
1998 u-320