Radiator Genie?

[Blue2Orange]

On another thread a forum member posted an image of the Radiator Genie set. One for wand for attaching to an air compressor and one for attaching to a garden hose.

BX2380 for those unaware is sort of "backwards". Radiator in the rear. Bit tight space around the radiator for cleaning beyond just the removable debris screen. The wands look to be a good way to clean the radiator. Plus it gives me an excuse to purchase an air compressor. Question is what minimum psi setting is effective to clean dust off the radiator. Also, what psi can potentially cause damage?

Being a frugal (aka cheapo) old guy I was just think about using the shop vac. Suck and then reverse to blow debris off the radiator after vacuuming the debris off the grill cover that sits under the steering area.

 

[Old Machinist]

I usually just use the leaf blower. You have pretty limited access around the fan.

I do have a homemade water version I use on occasion. It does a better job than the blower and gets in a little more area. I just adapted a water hose fitting to a piece of 3/4" copper tube and bent the end down on a feeler gauge to leave a tight area that increases the water pressure.

Do not ever use a pressure washer! It will bend the cooling fins over. Same would probably go for high air pressure.

 

[Shawn T. W]

I use somewhere around 100 psi IIRC ... But don't use that much psi on an air filter, Massey Ferguson recommended no more than 30 psi on the paper element, I find that is inadequate, and double it to 60 psi ... I also am amazed the amount of dust I blow out of my alternator ... Try it!

My Massey Ferguson SCUT also is "backwards", as in the radiator is fairly close to the steering wheel end of the hood ...

 

[Sidekick]

I bought a 2 ft long blow gun from harbor freight and put a slight bend in the aluminum tube. Crank the regulator down to 30psi max. Be sure to get everything from the screen tracks so the screen fully seats or the mower deck will blow it up behind the screen fast.

 

[Bee-Positive]

I too use a HF blow gun. Only $9.
Plenty of money left over to get that air compressor.

https://www.harborfreight.com/air-blow-gun-with-extensions-5-piece-63574.html

 

[imnukensc]

Have had a radiator genie for several years. Rarely use the one for the hose, but use the compressed air one every single time I mow for the radiator, air filter, and blowing dust/debris out from around the mower spindles. I don't worry about psi when I use it. Turn on the compressor which is set for 120 psi and kicks back on about 80 psi to pump back up. Compressor turns off and on as I'm using it.

 

[jyoutz]

I just use the radiator genie air wand at about 50 psi to blow out the worst of the dirt. Then periodically I use the water wand to give the radiator fins a good washing.

 

[whitetiger]

I use an air wand with 6 or 7 holes in it at 130 PSI. Sometimes on really plugged radiators, I run the engine about 1/2 throttle while blowing and add water to the mix with a garden hose. The air sucks the water into its stream and blows it through the radiator.
It has never bent any fins, and it makes a mess on the front of the engine, which rinses right off.

 

[mikester]

Leaf blower has been my goto lately.

 

[CGMKCM]

Leaf blower and a few times a year when I also clean air filters I use this. It is less expensive on Amazon.

 

[JimDeL]

Leaf blower and a few times a year when I also clean air filters I use this. It is less expensive on Amazon.

I use this for blowing the debris off the radiator on my BX2380. The nozzle is somewhat flexible, and allows it to blow air behind the radiator where debris sometimes collects between the radiator and the screen.

Amazon.com: Milwaukee M18 BBL-0 Compact Blower 18 Volt Bare Unit : Patio, Lawn & Garden

 

[Blue2Orange]

No mower. No grass to mow. Just dust from driveway maintenance after new loads are delivered. The 3/4" blue rock without binder used is relatively dust free. But eventually hope to acquire a brush hog to maintain the trails.

Thinking of diy a fitting for the shopvac to get into the tight areas. Vac 1st, then attach the hose to the exhaust port and blow. If it doesn't work well... Have to consider an alternative. And finally purchase a real compressor.