Clean Your Car Radiator! no special tools. easy fix for overheating and weak AC.

[@ImNoMechanic]

My 4Runner was running hot, but this should solve it! Remember I'm no mechanic and this video is about cleaning the OUTSIDE of your radiator, not the inside. When I was searching KZbin, I kept finding videos about cleaning INSIDE the radiator, or about cleaning tractor radiators haha. I couldn't find many videos about cleaning the outside of car radiators on KZbin, so I hope this helps you out!

[@lawrencecavens5760]

Here is a tip to save you some long term costs. 1 - Put a screen with a frame in front of the Condenser coil - the Full width of the rad support cavity - as this will catch all the bugs and large debris and will save the entire system from clogging - I know this works because when I bought a 2008 F250 someone already did this and Wow! all three coolers are in perfect shape {condenser coil - tranny cooler - and Radiator core are all debris clean} with minor dust. Also make sure the bottom of the radiator is protected from dirt getting up into the fins - block the cavity with foam like they do from the factory - weather stripping would work in this instance...

[@ImNoMechanic]

Those are all great thoughts! I will say that the foam idea is good enough, except that anywhere I find foam on any of my vehicles, there also tends to be a bad rust area because the foam collects water. Anyway, thanks for chiming in!

[@lawrencecavens5760]

As you showed the bottom portion below the condenser coil to the rad support there should be a shield dam that protects the rad - if the truck came with one - if not then Like I said before a screen would definitely help in that area to keep the debris out of the radiator...

[@ImNoMechanic]

Yeah I think I mention that in this video, but maybe it's in my longer 4runner specific video. The previous owner of my 4runner removed the engine skid plate. I did not find that out until 2 years ago and I had no real urgency to replace, but likely years going without the engine skid (shield dam) would have helped a lot here.

[@VndNvwYvvSvv]

Never had this problem. Never will. It doesn't make much difference unless it's completely clogged with mud and bugs

[@ImNoMechanic]

I'm happy for you not having this problem, but I had this problem, and this solution made a difference.

[@diverdave4056]

BUy a spray bottle of LA AWESOME at the dollar store .... spray it good on anything you want to clean - wait 5 minutes and hose it off

[@ImNoMechanic]

Cool tip! Generic all purpose cleaners & degreasers made me a little nervous with damaging the aluminum, but it might be just fine! Also, I had never heard of LA Awesome, but after a quick google it seems like good stuff for cheap.

[@diverdave4056]

@@ImNoMechanic the DOLLAR stores have the best price - home depot also sells it ... i first heard about it 4 years ago ... its cheap and it works great !

[@kalani1987]

Might as well just buy a new radiator since you already have it out. The inside of it is probably dirty as well. There are many cheap aftermarket options online

[@ImNoMechanic]

For lots of people that might be the right move, but it wasn’t the right move for me here. You can go watch my 4Runner Radiator video if you want that explanation.

[@jasonarog]

kzbin.infoagpQmleVq7I

[@jasonarog]

I raised the overflow, coolant should be filling up the radiator

[@ImNoMechanic]

@@jasonarog nice work!