GS or 4200 Radiator Airflow restriction

[Panicracing]

Just doing a bit of routine maintenance jobs on my GS and coolant change was one of them, whilst under the car after the front under tray was removed I noticed the 4 bolts that hold the shroud to the bottom of the Rad was a touch corroded so decided to replace whilst under here to keep things tidy, when removed and the shroud pulled back I was subsequent covered with general **** including every that had gone though the grill in the last few years, after getting Henry in to vacuum out between the water radiator and the AC condenser I could see the gap between the 2 was about 15mm at best, the fins on both were very dirty, after a good wash out and clean with a long bristle bottle brush looks 100%.

The AC condenser covers about 50% of the surface area of the water radiator and I am pretty sure over the years this will restrict airflow. mine is 2005 but had a new radiator in 2011 so this is only a few years of build up.

All sorts of rubbish can get between these and drop to the bottom as there is a gap at the top.

 

[conaero]

Indeed, here is what fell out of mine, you can just loosen the rad mountings wedge then apart and give it a bang with the flat of your hand:

 

[2b1ask1]

I got half of Thetford forest out of my first one, the rotting pine needles had corroded the rad to the point of failure, combined with freezing the detritus...

 

[Panicracing]

Looks Familiar, is that a cigarette butt? I had a few in mine, one was French which I mostly likely picked up on the Le Mans run.

 

[conaero]

Looks Familiar, is that a cigarette but? I had a few in mine, one was French which I mostly likely picked up on the Le Mans run.

It was indeed and not one of mine I might add!

 

[Fat Arnie]

Out of interest, what state is the flat metal sheet that connects the bumper to the undertray in (GS only) on your cars? Mine was frightful!

I shall be replacing it with stainless.