Trying to clean my rear radiator

I had a 2002 Journey and cleaned the rad annually. I can only tell you what seemed to work for me.

I mixed aluminum-friendly Simple Green and Dawn dish soap in a garden sprayer. I would go under the bed thru the engine access hatch and spray the CAC with the engine running. Basically I would aim the spray at the fan. The fan would push the solution onto the CAC.

I would shut down the engine and then go outside and soak the radiator as best I could. Let solution sit for 10 minutes or so, then go back inside with garden hose (pulled up thru engine area) and spray CAC with engine running. I would hook the hose to my outside connection in wet bay and use hot water from the on board water tank with water heater on.

Shut down engine and go outside and rinse. Start engine and let it blow out thru the back.

The first time I did this, I had to repeat to get it clean. After that, I was able to get it clean with only one cleaning as described. I also extended the slobber tube so it exited well below the coach frame.

I've read where folks have not been able to clean the cooling pack and had to remove it, finding leaves, plastic bags, etc. between the CAC and radiator. If that is the case, you may have to get it done at a shop who can do this. I had the CAT 3126E (C6) and my local CAT shop said they cleaned them often. I believe they steam cleaned them from the back and from under the coach.

I had the coach 8 years and made two cross country trips thru the Rockies and it never ran hot using my method. I did replace my thermostats at some point just to make sure they were OK.

We liked that coach and it served us well. However, after having to go thru that process annually, a side radiator was a must have for me when we traded up in 2013. Just spray the radiator with a garden hose from the outside with the motor running and you are done.

I do have the Simple Green Extreme. I'm just trying to figure out how to get enough water in there to flush it out.

Just be sure that you use a solvent that will not damage aluminum Simple Green EXTREME is made for aluminum. Regular Simple Green is not. Since it is equally as hard to apply the solvent, it is just as hard to get it all off of the small spaces. You do not want to use something that will cause corrosion if a little remains on the fins.