Why does it overheat... I cleaned the rad!!

strandr · Wolf Joined: Jul 23, 2007 Posts: 618 Location: Alberta

After 3 days of riding in Caroline and multiple rad washings with my trail pump my rad looked "fairly" clean from the front when I got home...

If you are sure that your overheating problem is not due to a plugged rad because you washed it out real good, check out the backside of mine. I soaked it overnight and it still took 20 minutes to get it clean with the garden hose.

nbsportsman

A picture is worth 1000 words...

Toadman

Yup, not very much airflow going thru that one. 90% of our local summer overheating issues are with dirty rads.

If you "think it is clean enough", or "it looks clean", it is probably NOT!

We just did Geotech's this weekend too, when the guard was removed it was caked nearly as bad in the corners and bottom edge. Although it looked ok at first glance.
Used a garden hose and careful application of compressed air to get it clean without removing it. Many fins were bent from a previous borrowing mishap.
If you are going to play in the mud holes on hot days you will have to spend some extra time washing the rad after EACH ride. Sometimes even on the trail....

jcrayford · Fox Joined: May 12, 2009 Posts: 37

but how does one go about cleaning without removing?

strandr · Wolf Joined: Jul 23, 2007 Posts: 618 Location: Alberta

I would remove the front box (4 bolts, 8 screws) and the fan (4 bolts). That will give you great access to the back of the rad, shine a trouble light through the fins to verify that its clean.

nbsportsman

jcrayford wrote:

but how does one go about cleaning without removing?

I flush mine every other ride with the garden hose and when I wash the bike I spray the rad with spray9, let it soak for a while then hose it off.....

callen65

The back of the radiator always seems to get the dirtiest. It dont make sense to me but even before cleaning the front will look clean and the back will be caked!

You have to remove the fan to clean it. Removing the fan is real easy.

AlaskaGriz

Yup, taking the fan off is the easiest way.

Put 1/2" spacers on the fan when you reinstall to keep the fan shroud from clogging it up so easy next time. Simply get the spacers and longer bolts at any hardware supply store.

Dave

nbsportsman

AlaskaGriz wrote:

Yup, taking the fan off is the easiest way.

Put 1/2" spacers on the fan when you reinstall to keep the fan shroud from clogging it up so easy next time. Simply get the spacers and longer bolts at any hardware supply store.

Dave

Well that's the bet tip I've seen yet that would make flushing the rad better. Thanks AlaskaGriz.....

rubberdown

jcrayford wrote:

but how does one go about cleaning without removing?

You asked, here you go....

www.rubberdowncustoms....d.php?t=25

Or, you could just put it on the rack, thats what I prefer, its way WAY better and it NEVER overheats when its up there!

Wycked_1

That's what I did with mine moved it up to the rack area, no more clogging or overheating.