J
JohnB
Guest
I picked up a fin comb today and have never used one or seen one used. Any tips on using it so I don't do any more damage to the already bent fins
SkwerI
Treehouser
Never used one, I can only imagine what it might look like and how it would be used. I have straightened out more than a few radiator fins though. Automotive, air conditioners (central air units as well as window units) and other machinery. I think the last one I used a putty knife and a Stihl carb adjustment screwdriver.
Just be aware of how radiators work. The coolant travels through the tubes or jackets, the fins radiate the heat from the jackets via the air blown over them. So all you gotta do is open up the smooshed fins to allow air flow without tearing open the jackets. Patience is a virtue here, it's usually one fin at a time unless you have some fancy 'fin comb' type tool.
You will probably have to get the fins relatively straight before being able to use the comb anyway.
Just be aware of how radiators work. The coolant travels through the tubes or jackets, the fins radiate the heat from the jackets via the air blown over them. So all you gotta do is open up the smooshed fins to allow air flow without tearing open the jackets. Patience is a virtue here, it's usually one fin at a time unless you have some fancy 'fin comb' type tool.
You will probably have to get the fins relatively straight before being able to use the comb anyway.
N
NeTree
Guest
Be gentle. Simple as that.
J
JohnB
Guest
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #4
J
Jonseredbred
Guest
Get a reverse fan so you don't have to screw with it.
F
Frans
Guest
At a show I saw these tractor fans that would change direction every few minutes in order to flush out crud.
Seemed like a good idea for chippers which just stand there or tractors working in real dusty, weed filled areas
What you might want to do is invest in a battery powered lazer thermometer available at any auto parts store. Check to see what areas are building up heat. Chances are that the radiator is working fine if it is not boiling over so the combing would be for aesthetics.
If it is running too hot, flush, replace fluid, replace thermostat, check water pump, THEN comb those fins
Seemed like a good idea for chippers which just stand there or tractors working in real dusty, weed filled areas
What you might want to do is invest in a battery powered lazer thermometer available at any auto parts store. Check to see what areas are building up heat. Chances are that the radiator is working fine if it is not boiling over so the combing would be for aesthetics.
If it is running too hot, flush, replace fluid, replace thermostat, check water pump, THEN comb those fins
O
OLD PUP
Guest
Beware- New radiators are expensive !
F
Frans
Guest
Beware- New radiators are expensive !
They sure can be! Some guys hose out the radiator with water, I don't like to do this as wood swells. Compressed air done right does a good job.
Attachments
squisher
THE CALM ONE!!!!
Ya compressed air, I try to blow out my rads whenever I think of it. Tonnes of crap comes out of them.
J
JohnB
Guest
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #10
Those reversible fans can cost as much as $5000
Dave Shepard
Square peg, round world.
I've got an infrared thermometer from Radio Shack. Goes up to 400F ~$40. Works very well.
CurSedVoyce
California Hillbilly
Well that puts my ol pocket cooking thermometer to shame
Now granted.. I know aint nobody ever got sick form my cookin
Now granted.. I know aint nobody ever got sick form my cookin
gf beranek
Old Schooler
Fin comb? Never knew such a thing existed. Metric or SAE, John?
Al Smith
Mac Daddy
A reverse fan won't really do much good .It just plugs up going the other direction .
Probabley the easiest thing to do is install a removable screen on the radiator . Periodically remove the screen and clean it out .
Probabley the easiest thing to do is install a removable screen on the radiator . Periodically remove the screen and clean it out .
MasterBlaster
Administrator Emeritus
Yep. I worked with a guy whose wife would sew a cool cloth screen with stretchy attachments that would hook on four sides. It was easy to remove and shake clean.
SkwerI
Treehouser
Steve, I've bent fins on a truck radiator using an air nozzle. It works great but if you get right up close and hit the fins at the wrong angle then they can bend over quite easily.
edit: Actually it was probably the air conditioner fins. Radiators are tougher.
edit: Actually it was probably the air conditioner fins. Radiators are tougher.
Yup, sometimes got to give them a little distance. I always test it a little and you learn how close you can get. The fins on my chipper radiator are pretty tough. The fins on the air conditioning condensor on my pickup are extremely easy to bend over.
Al Smith
Mac Daddy
The fins on an air conditiong coil differ from those on a radiator .This is due to the extremely thin aluminun used in order to get max thermal transfer .
For what it's worth they are very easy to bend on regular refridgeration units also .On those,for those interested ,they make a type of soapy cleaner as a "coil wash " type of stuff .I do my air conditioning /heat pump twice a year .
Thinking out loud though ,now I wonder .It would be very easy to build a rack in the front of a radiator to actually use a furnace filter .Just toss em every couple of weeks .They only cost a buck or two anyway . It wouldn't get it all but should get the majority of stuff from clogging the radiator .
While on the subject they do make filter media that can be purchased in rolls ,relatively cheap too .We use this stuff at work to protect and filter the intakes of air conditioning units .
For what it's worth they are very easy to bend on regular refridgeration units also .On those,for those interested ,they make a type of soapy cleaner as a "coil wash " type of stuff .I do my air conditioning /heat pump twice a year .
Thinking out loud though ,now I wonder .It would be very easy to build a rack in the front of a radiator to actually use a furnace filter .Just toss em every couple of weeks .They only cost a buck or two anyway . It wouldn't get it all but should get the majority of stuff from clogging the radiator .
While on the subject they do make filter media that can be purchased in rolls ,relatively cheap too .We use this stuff at work to protect and filter the intakes of air conditioning units .
Dave Shepard
Square peg, round world.
Never use a pressure washer, It will bend the fins for sure!
Al Smith
Mac Daddy
You have to use some discretion using a power washer .I have one that will strip morter joints on the narrow nozzle ,not the thing to use on a radiator of course .The wide angle one however will not harm the fins unless you get about two inchs away from them .
A pressure washer is almost the greatest invention since sliced bread or beer in a can but you have to use it properly .
A pressure washer is almost the greatest invention since sliced bread or beer in a can but you have to use it properly .
CurSedVoyce
California Hillbilly
Thinking out loud though ,now I wonder .It would be very easy to build a rack in the front of a radiator to actually use a furnace filter .Just toss em every couple of weeks .They only cost a buck or two anyway . It wouldn't get it all but should get the majority of stuff from clogging the radiator .
While on the subject they do make filter media that can be purchased in rolls ,relatively cheap too .We use this stuff at work to protect and filter the intakes of air conditioning units .[/QUOTE]
I like this idea. I am also thinking that evaporative cooler pads would work well and breath well. Cheap too. They make them in that fiber material now. hmmmm
While on the subject they do make filter media that can be purchased in rolls ,relatively cheap too .We use this stuff at work to protect and filter the intakes of air conditioning units .[/QUOTE]
I like this idea. I am also thinking that evaporative cooler pads would work well and breath well. Cheap too. They make them in that fiber material now. hmmmm
sotc
Dormant hero!!
seems like it might block to much air in the summer. maybe
F
Frans
Guest
filters block particulate material, but what really jams up a radiator is the ultra fine dust. Putting a filter in front usually leads to not cleaning the radiator regularly.
I prefer to be able to see my radiator, but I do have a mesh screen to block out the chunks
I prefer to be able to see my radiator, but I do have a mesh screen to block out the chunks
J
JohnB
Guest
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #25
When the reversible fan changes direction and blows into the engine compartment the engine block can freeze. So I read, maybe the kinks have been worked out since then.
