[Kaliuzhkin]

How do I access the radiator so as to remove dead leaves? Does removing the front body access panels do it? Once I'm in there, how do I remove the leaves? Broom? Blower?

I've checked the Owner's Manual and the Repair Manual without success. If the information is there, please identify.

 

[dasmoofler]

Take the access panels off and then the slotted vent panels. Sliding the vent panels back together is a real bich - you may have to chamfer the leading edges a bit. That's what I did.

 

[glb]

turn car upside down and shake it??

compressed air?

They will deteriorate by themselves...

 

[Kaliuzhkin]

Take the access panels off and then the slotted vent panels. Sliding the vent panels back together is a real bich - you may have to chamfer the leading edges a bit. That's what I did.

"Chamfer?" How the h* do I do that?

chamfer definition

noun

a beveled edge or corner, esp. one cut at a 45° angle
Etymology: Fr chanfrein < OFr chanfraindre < chant fraindre < L cantum frangere: see cant & break
transitive verb

to cut a chamfer on; bevel
to make a groove or fluting in



I have a chisel, sandpaper and a plane but they're meant for wood, not fiberglass.

 

[Kaliuzhkin]

turn car upside down and shake it??

rotflrotfl

compressed air?

They will deteriorate by themselves...

That's what I hoped would happen but these are leaves from the autumn, and its almost summer already.

 

[dasmoofler]

The vent panels are plastic. A chisel or sandpaper will work. I used an Exacto knife. You only have to chamfer it a tiny bit to make it a lot easier to put back together. Frankly, I'm surprised they weren't molded with a chamfer. Mechanical Engineering 101 type stuff.

 

[karajabola]

Can't you just drive really fast? :shift:

(actually I've noticed all debris that has collected there is always gone after a good drive...though I don't park outside to collect much debris)

 

[Kaliuzhkin]

Take the access panels off and then the slotted vent panels.

Can I drive for a while with these panels removed, so as to blow the leaves out?

 

[dma550]

I have mice in my car that remove these quickly for their bedding, it's a win-win.

 

[Sh4rkattk]

I have mice in my car that remove these quickly for their bedding, it's a win-win.

Depends on where they bed, if its in your house may not be win-win.

 

[Cthulhu]

Fire is the natural enemy of leaves... A little fire will show them who's boss.

 

[mrcarcrazy]

Fire is the natural enemy of leaves... A little fire will show them who's boss.

rotfl a little "controlled burn" to take care of things!

If it were me I'd drive fast...that seems to work for me.

If not, at least you had fun driving fast! after that I'd just remove the grills. (hacksaw is the most fun way to do this)

 

[Cthulhu]

Remove your roof. Ensure your vehicle is fitted with a roll bar or roll cage before attempting the following:

Park under a large tree with a thick, secure branch above the vehicle. Make sure the branch is 1.5 vehicle widths adjacent from the side you are jacking up. If you are jacking the right side, the branch should be 1.5 vehicle widths to the LEFT.

Remove the front and rear under body trays using ramps. Remove all ramps. Next, use the rear rail jack point (the 50-50 balance one) to raise one side of the car with a low profile jack, using a hockey puck to protect the coated metal rail. Then, place a ramp under the raised wheels, lower the low profile jack, and replace it with a full sized hydraulic truck jack or any other jack capable of lifting 2ft+. Remember to use a hockey puck to protect the vehicle from scratches and sliding. Once you reach the limits of the larger jack, place an old twin mattress or two on the ground, with the thin side between the front and back wheels of the non-raised side. Ensure the mattress is centered beneath the tree limb. Secure a chain around the tree limb using a heavy duty screw-locking D ring Carabiner or equivalent.

Tip: ask a friend to help you with the following step.

Gently roll your vehicle off of the jack onto the mattress. Your vehicle should now be gently resting on top of the mattress with most of the weight applied directly to the roll cage or roll bar. Secure several climbing ropes around the far front and far rear jack points, using figure 8 knots and a safety. Connect a second Carabiner to a hand operated winch. Connect the opposing end to the chain, suspended from the tree branch with a third Carabiner.

Lift the upside-down car completely from the mattress by about 3 ft. With the help of your friends, lift the car until there is slack in the chain, winch cable, or rope harness. Count to 3 with your friends and abruptly let go of the car, letting it fall until tension is restored to the chain.

Start with only a slight amount of slack in the lines, repeating this process as necessary until all leaves have been shaken loose from the radiator.

:nanner:

 

[Demonized]

Remove your roof. Ensure your vehicle is fitted with a roll bar or roll cage before attempting the following:

Park under a large tree with a thick, secure branch above the vehicle. Make sure the branch is 1.5 vehicle widths adjacent from the side you are jacking up. If you are jacking the right side, the branch should be 1.5 vehicle widths to the LEFT.

Remove the front and rear under body trays using ramps. Remove all ramps. Next, use the rear rail jack point (the 50-50 balance one) to raise one side of the car with a low profile jack, using a hockey puck to protect the coated metal rail. Then, place a ramp under the raised wheels, lower the low profile jack, and replace it with a full sized hydraulic truck jack or any other jack capable of lifting 2ft+. Remember to use a hockey puck to protect the vehicle from scratches and sliding. Once you reach the limits of the larger jack, place an old twin mattress or two on the ground, with the thin side between the front and back wheels of the non-raised side. Ensure the mattress is centered beneath the tree limb. Secure a chain around the tree limb using a heavy duty screw-locking D ring Carabiner or equivalent.

Tip: ask a friend to help you with the following step.

Gently roll your vehicle off of the jack onto the mattress. Your vehicle should now be gently resting on top of the mattress with most of the weight applied directly to the roll cage or roll bar. Secure several climbing ropes around the far front and far rear jack points, using figure 8 knots and a safety. Connect a second Carabiner to a hand operated winch. Connect the opposing end to the chain, suspended from the tree branch with a third Carabiner.

Lift the upside-down car completely from the mattress by about 3 ft. With the help of your friends, lift the car until there is slack in the chain, winch cable, or rope harness. Count to 3 with your friends and abruptly let go of the car, letting it fall until tension is restored to the chain.

Start with only a slight amount of slack in the lines, repeating this process as necessary until all leaves have been shakes loose from the radiator.

:nanner:

:up:

 

[Gizmo3000]

Can't you just drive really fast? :shift:

in reverse! :nanner2:

 

[mjf]

I used long nose pliers.

 

[dasmoofler]

I just leaf them alone.

 

[Cthulhu]

I used long nose pliers.

You mean I wrote that whole TSB for nothing? :shrug:

Weak...

Last time I help you

Maybe the op will try it my way and post pics, or at least poorly photoshopped pics

 

[Kaliuzhkin]

You mean I wrote that whole TSB for nothing? :shrug:

Weak...

Last time I help you

Maybe the op will try it my way and post pics, or at least poorly photoshopped pics

Ted:

Here's a better idea. When you do the solid show car detailing for free, YOU can do this.

(What's a TSB?)

From the OP.

 

[Scrumpot]

Technical Service Bulletin. Someone's involved in aviation!