Author Topic: Radiator cleaning  (Read 25940 times)

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Offline TomL

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Radiator cleaning
« on: April 26, 2018, 07:00:35 pm »
Time to clean the rad again.


It doesn't look too dirty until the rad cowl and protection screen is removed.
This is a close up of the lower left corner.
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Offline Phmode

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Re: Radiator cleaning
« Reply #1 on: April 26, 2018, 07:57:58 pm »
Snarf!

How long since the last degunk then? And you didn't ride it in the worst of the winter...

Offline Eyore

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Re: Radiator cleaning
« Reply #2 on: April 26, 2018, 08:51:58 pm »
A  step by step how to would be appreciated Tom........................with pics  ???
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Offline richtea

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Re: Radiator cleaning
« Reply #3 on: April 26, 2018, 09:07:50 pm »
A  step by step how to would be appreciated Tom........................with pics  ???

Seconded!

With a pretty please...

Offline richtea

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Re: Radiator cleaning
« Reply #4 on: April 26, 2018, 09:11:58 pm »
Although it looks grim, about 60-70% of those holes are still open, and judging by the overall picture, it's only bad in the lower corners + top centre?

P.S. we can play 'Spot the bee' too.

Offline TomL

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Re: Radiator cleaning
« Reply #5 on: April 26, 2018, 10:47:57 pm »
Basically you need to hose the radiator through from the rear. Trouble is that the fan is in the way so you need to take it off.

Remove the radiator cowl and screen as well as the side panels and belly pan. Three of the fan securing screws are easy to get at but the top right hand screw is tricky and needs to be removed first with pliers. Before refitting the tricky screw I filed flats on it so that it could be removed with an 11mm open ended spanner the next time round.



With the fan removed the crap can be hosed out from the rear. Hosing the dirt out from the front only pushes it further into the cooling fins.



Bit of a chore but worth doing. I can't imagine that a dealer would go to the trouble even if you asked.
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Offline Eyore

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Re: Radiator cleaning
« Reply #6 on: April 26, 2018, 10:51:21 pm »
Excellent, thanks. :)
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Offline peterwbaker

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Re: Radiator cleaning
« Reply #7 on: April 27, 2018, 07:12:54 am »
Thanks, useful pics/advice for when I need to do it, I am just hitting the 18K service and my dealer suggested to clean the rad as it is off the bike anyway for the tappet adjustment, but I guess I should do it more than once every two years going forward!  Peter

Offline nightrider

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Re: Radiator cleaning
« Reply #8 on: April 27, 2018, 08:06:02 am »
Thanks for that. I might have a go myself,I've bought myself some condenser cleaner to spray on first and will report back if I find it useful.
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Offline Phmode

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Re: Radiator cleaning
« Reply #9 on: April 27, 2018, 08:22:05 am »
I'm sure the dealer would clean a rad perfectly for you if you asked!

Let's see sir, that'll be the price of a new radiator plus 12 hours labour plus VAT 8)

Offline richtea

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Re: Radiator cleaning
« Reply #10 on: April 27, 2018, 08:41:07 am »

Before refitting the tricky screw I filed flats on it so that it could be removed with an 11mm open ended spanner the next time round.


Damn, it just went technical  :(
But I might be able to manage that.

Thanks!

Offline Phmode

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Re: Radiator cleaning
« Reply #11 on: April 27, 2018, 10:59:31 am »
Post it to me, I'll do it properly for you  😉

Offline richtea

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Re: Radiator cleaning
« Reply #12 on: April 27, 2018, 12:15:06 pm »
Post it to me, I'll do it properly for you 

The nut? The rad? The bike? ???  ;D

Offline Phmode

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Re: Radiator cleaning
« Reply #13 on: April 27, 2018, 07:18:21 pm »
It's a bolt 🙄 (Technically maybe even a screw, can't remember off-hand...)

But either or, I'm not fussy, if you can post it I can fix it 😎

Offline richtea

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Re: Radiator cleaning
« Reply #14 on: April 27, 2018, 10:12:49 pm »
V kind. I may take you up on that, Brian.
But first I'll check the radiator state (maybe in about a a week's time).