Whats the best way to Clean the Muck off the Radiator??!?!

[marty400]

Hiya All,



The bike:
CBR400, NC29.
a) The Air box air intake is actually right behind the radiator.
b) Also, apparently pointing a hose at the radiator, through the forks - chucks water down the spark plug recesses - So I can't go too crazy with this!



Whats the best way to Clean the Muck off the Radiator??!?!

I have noticed that the radiator is really covered in crap! There is a "straight line" of caked on crap, going straight up, right behind the front wheel, surprize surprize.

The Air intake is right behind this part of the Radiator.... Perhaps this is a contributary reason why the bike is running rich? On top of a blocked up ait filter etc ertc!



Some ideas:

1) Spray "Muck off", through the forks, at the whole area and soak
* This works well on the screen, to get rid of all the bug splats etc.
* but is it a good idea to spray "Muff Stuff" type stuff - directly at the Air intake????


2) Spray "Muck off", from behind the radiator, and soak
* Will help avoid "Muck off" going up the air intake,
* But will mean taking off the side fairings etc....


3) Take a soft brush to the area, and agitate the "Muff off" stuff?
* is this a standard approach??


4) Hose down, from behind the radiator


5) take the bike for a good ride straight after - to burn off any water in the Spark plug recesses???



Hope you can advise!


Cheers
Martin

[leopard_pagan]

DO NOT SPRAY A JET OF WATER AT THE RADIATOR!
DO NOT USE A POWER WASHER.
why?
radiators have "fins" that are easy to bend and block air flow. it is very easy to bend these fins.
spray de-greaser/grim on, leave for 3 mins max then use a plastic brush and lightly scrub the grud off with hose pipe set on low to rince the grud off.

get a "extenda fender" to reduce the splatter off the front wheel

[marty400]

DO NOT SPRAY A JET OF WATER AT THE RADIATOR!
DO NOT USE A POWER WASHER.
why?
radiators have "fins" that are easy to bend and block air flow. it is very easy to bend these fins.
spray de-greaser/grim on, leave for 3 mins max then use a plastic brush and lightly scrub the grud off with hose pipe set on low to rince the grud off.

get a "extenda fender" to reduce the splatter off the front wheel

Hiya LP,

good advice!

Not sure about the Fender extender tho - have you looked into?


Cheers
Martin

[leopard_pagan]

extenda fenders would have to be fitted at the back of the mudguard in this case to reduce spatter up on to the rad.
i havnt bothered with mine as my rads muckey and i dont see any effect so i have left it as is... and i have winter crud on mine...

[billnit]

If you're taking the rad off completely, leave to soak in hot (to start with) soapy water for as long as you can - ie. days...

Once done you can try blowing out with air compressor (ideally with paraffin gun) from the back out the front.

You'll never shift all the crap out and will probably do more damage than good if you get too physical!

Finish off with a LIGHT dusting of satin black paint if you're feeling extra keen.

[chrisja2]

If you go to a specialist air conditioning shop, they usually sell a spray on condensor fin cleaning product (RT45) i think its called. Simply spray on and it breaks the dirt down between the fins. Pick up a fin comb while your at it!