nyroc, I'm not sure if the strainer went. I didnt pick it up yet, I just gave a call down to the dealer. whats the best way to clean the radiator? I had the hose on it for a long time. Can anyone reccomend a cleaning method for it? One would probably be clean asap so it doesnt dry. thanks

 

soooooo what is the best way to clean the radiator....

 

My radiator got fairly clogged with dust/debris and the fan started running a lot. Just blew it out with compressed air at the shop
(from the back). Fixed it right up.

Only other time I almost had coolant trouble was when the filler cap spontaneously came off. I have no idea how it could have done that as I have never taken it off. Luckily it was still laying right there on the cases. If my boy hadn't noticed it just by chance I may have had grief.

 

ther are better ways, like a pressure washer (don't spray too close).

But, I get mine clean with just a solid brass velocity nozzle on the hose. It has a small end so I can stick it through the louvers and holes in the grill and spray a while. Best $2 I ever spent for atv cleaning tools. Cleaning score 9/10

I tried compressed air when the radiator was out and I had serious clay. Not great. Score 7.5/10.

I tried putting the radiator on the floor of the shower for two hours when it was clogged with clay and the hose would not clean it. It removed every spec. Score 9.5/10 (looses point for a waste of water)

Adjustable garden sprayer score 6/10 (can't get insode the holes and really direct it well).

Using thumb as a sprayer on the hose score 3/10, I hope nobody is still doing this. It may work on the car, but get real.

 

Hey, thanks for the input.

Have you bent the fins with any of these methods. (I'm the moron whos still uses his thumb over the hose method...no bent fins that way)

 

since i am probably the only serious "mudder" in this forum, my problems with overheating are going to be more extreme than ya'lls. for the moment it is not overheating, just slowly leaking coolant out of some gasket somewhere. i need to fix this by july4, because you all know how much crap honda riders give non-honda riders, and if i have to add water to it(which requires removing middle plastic because of snorkle) i will never live it down. however, i usually walk all over them in the mud [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img].

Anyways, i use our TEEL electric power washer to clean my 650, including radiator. we use a heavy duty garden hose and nozzle so you can imagine that it doesnt have too much pressure. when i need to seriously clean the radiator out, i take the right piece of plastic(black)that is in front of the radiator. never bent a fin doing that.

 

Go to WAL-MART get a little plastic jet nozzle for a garden hose cost $.20 this thing really blasts the dirt and mud from your radiator. Always spray from the back side and you do not have to take anyting off to get to the entire radiator because the nozzle is only about 1" long and you can bend the hose to get to everything! Clean it every ride no exceptions!!!!

 

how did you make out at the dealer I know of two others beside you locally with the same problem. The problem may be big motor small radiator.