2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Clean Radiator

[firefighter_2000]

So I finally decided to tackle the job of cleaning my radiator intercooler condenser etc. What a PITA, but what a difference it's made. Im even almost embarrassed to say how nasty it was... I knew it was pretty dirty... I've cleaned it somewhat at a car wash before, but never actually doing it right and taking it completely out and giving it a thorough cleaning. I got it out, and holy crap... I dont know how the front side was allowing any air flow through at all. It was gunked up with oil, dirt, mud, grass, bugs, and anything else that might have gone through. I shined a big flashlight through and the part directly in front of the fan was completley stopped up. Couldnt even see the flashlight beam. I hosed it down with some swipe degreaser (takes off your fingerprints) and let it sit for twenty mins or so. Came back with a pressure washer and blew through it. Had it propped up against a pole and it turned the pole and the grass behind it black. I also replaced the upper & lower hoses while I had it all apart(had em sittin in the shop from a while back). If it hadn't been sunday evening late, I'd have replaced the two smaller ones underneath too. Cleaned out the intercooler and condenser as well, they were pretty nasty, but nothing like the radiator. Got everything put back together, put some fresh anti-freeze in it and took it for about a thirty minute drive... Never got the temp over about 170-175 degrees. Best part... Air is cooler than its been in a few years.



My advice to anyone who hasnt cleaned their radiator out in a while... or ever; DO IT. Your truck will thank you, and your air conditioner will cool you much better.



Craig



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[BGoodale]

Hi Firefighter; Just in case your 99 has the oil breather cannister in front of the radiator on the lower left you should relocate the can to behind the radiator. My 2001 was the same and it made a huge diff to get the can behind the radiator. Hope this helps. Brett

 

[firefighter_2000]

Clean

Mine is actually behind... I've got a catch bottle mounted to the drivers battery bolt. I clean it out every couple of oil changes. I think its just 250 thousand miles of neglect

Craig

 

[The patriot]

I do a flush annually, but never took the radiator, condenser etc. out.

This might be my next project.

 

[budnate]

did mine last winter also at 250K and It may have been a little worse than that, you cant tell untill you pull them out, I thought it looked great until we yanked it. . I said are you kidding me!!

 

[Sticks]

Staggers the imagination, doesn't it?

 

[firefighter_2000]

Amazed

I was amazed... Appalled actually... I knew it was dirty. The a/c compressor would cycle pretty regular at idle, and wouldn't cool well. Looked late yesterday evening and the grass where I cleaned the thing was starting to die already:-laf On a short trip today up to st. louis and the a/c on the lowest setting darn near ran me out of the truck. I even have the screen front that supposed to keep the worst of the bugs, grass, and trash out of the grille. (seen below)

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[stg2500]

firefighter 2000 - nice looking truck nice strobe placement. I am also a firefighter here in Woodstock, CT. I'm the Asst. Chief of our dept. Never thought of mounting loghts there. I have mine in the bumper cutouts next to the fog lights.



I also just pulled out my radiator, truk started to run a little hot with a trailer or stuck in traffic. All I can say is what a difference. I could not believe how much grime, oil and dirt was stuck to it. I had mine cleaned at a radiator shop which took almost an hour to clean and pressure test for leaks. I am definately going to be relocating the oil catch bottle. What a mess it made. While the radiator was out cleaned the front of the engine and intercooler with a little simple green. Also cleaned the shroud, overflow bottle and washer fluid bottle. I guess it wasn't too bad for a truck with 271,600 miles.

 

[firefighter_2000]

Thanks

Thanks. Those are actually LED's mounted across there. Glad to hear the radiator cleaning worked for you. This summer is extra hot and the clean radiator was well worth the effort. MUCH cooler inside the truck and the engien appreciates it.

Craig

 

[stg2500]

All I can say is what a difference a clean radiator makes. Pulled the trailer today and the fan clutch never even had to engage like before. The truck runs about 10 to 15 degrees cooler at least. Going to eliminate that oil catch bottle too. Bought the hose and fitting today.

 

[JDriscoll]

I just finished pulling the radiator and cleaning it on my company's 01 3500. We use it to pull our CAT 416 back hoe, and the truck was overheating going up a very slight grade. Last week one of the guys took the truck to a shop (he was 300 miles from the office). They replaced the clutch fan and flushed the cooling system. The truck over heated again on the drive home. I couldn't believe how bad the radiator was plugged up when I pulled it off tonight. I hope this will make a difference. It took me about 2 hours to remove, clean, and put the truck back together.