"Swing Out" Radiator to Flush from the Back

ncrowley wrote:
I brought my coach to the Cat dealer to check the radiator fluid and flush as needed. I have a 2004 Cat C7 that has not has much maintenance until I purchased it last year. It has a rear radiator. I have been doing Simple Green flushing from the rear since I cannot get to the other side. The Cat fellow said he "swung out the radiator" to flush it from the inside and it was in very bad shape. Obviously, my Simple Green from the back cleaning was not doing any good.

First question: How do you "swing out the radiator"? Is this something I should even consider doing myself?

Second question: He said to take it to a high pressure car wash once per year and flush from the back with hot water. He said to be sure and point the muzzle straight on so the fins are not damaged. Has anyone done this? Can I purchase a pressure washer to do this? He said it takes a lot of pressure to go all the way to where the gunk builds up.

ncrowley,
Well Sir, I would have to see for myself a "Swing out" radiator. As others have stated, I'm pretty sure he "lied". I've been there. I had a leak in the radiator and, prior to trip, I did an inspection with an inspection camera, one of those with the long flexible neck and could really get close up to some seriously clogged fins of both the CAC and the front side of the radiator. Well, since I had a leak anyway, I decided to pull both of them.

Well, I've been fabricating my whole life and, believe me, if there was a way to create a "Swing out radiator", I'd have already figured out a way. There's only a zillion obstacles in the way and logistical nightmares that would be prohibit the idea. It's a grand idea at that though.

Now, as far as cleaning it with a pressure washer. I did that too. I used a "ZEP" product with a citrus base degreaser. It took several sprayings of it, and each time it was followed by the use of the pressure washer. Mine is a 2650 psi unit and does quite well on anything I point it at. I was up close and personal with that tip on those fins and not one of them was damaged. But, as stated, on mine, it took several applications of the ZEP product and my pressure washer to accomplish "clean" fins, all throughout the core of each unit.

So, anyone who, has a seriously closed set of fins on one or the other or, both, and accomplishes a thorough and complete cleaning, WITHOUT REMOVING THEM, is a hero in my book. That's an incredibly tough job with access to each and every spot, almost impossible to get to. A large percentage of it would have to be attempted like Wolf says, from the bedroom area and, much from underneath too. Talk about a serious mess to be involved in, laying under there while trying to pressure wash, wow.

Pulling my radiator and, the CAC took me about 6 hours to have both of them out. But, that was the first time. I'm pretty sure I could have the same job done in about two to three now.

But, in any case, yes you can use a pressure washer, coupled with whatever type of grease removal chemicals you choose. It's just not a pretty or easy job.
Scott