How many dead flies does it take ?

[pongo_bob]

I had the radiator out the other day and hosed it down. Now my drive is covered in dead flies. If this is bunged up then surely the aircon, gearbox and oil rads are next to useless as they are in front of the coolant rad ? Is there any info on car radiator efficiency , airflow and flies ?

[Stacey]

hey rob,

i've taken my aircon out and as for the flies,  i take the grill off everytime i go to the jetwash it help keep it clear.

stacey

[thermidorthelobster]

I've not had first-hand experience but I've heard several people say you shouldn't jetwash rads, as you can bust the fins off.

[Range Rover Blues]

Dead flies should come out with a good hosing down.  SOaking them in detergent also helps.

[clbarclay]

I've not had first-hand experience but I've heard several people say you shouldn't jetwash rads, as you can bust the fins off.

Not so much bust as bend them over effectively blocking the air passages through the rad.

I've pressure washed rads goodness only knows how many times before. If you use maximum pressure at point blank range and at an angle to the fins then yes they do bend, however at lower pressure, at a suitable distance and square on to the rad then it shouldn't do any damage unless the rad is already rotten.


I find more effective on radiators are the garden nozel attach ments you can get for hose pipes.

[clbarclay]

drive backwards every where then no flies and no cleaning rads

Or fit a fan with variable angle blades so it can be used every so often to blow the rad out backwards. Probably not much good on mud etc. but if use reguarly in dusty conditions they can earn their keep on agricultural vehicles.