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      07-02-2019, 08:28 PM   #1
andrettifan
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cleaning bugs off radiator and oil cooler

Just took my car on its first road trip (Watkins Glen - IMSA event - Turner M6 looked solid but Rahal M8s weren't really competitive). Anyway, after 600 miles on the highway, with all the front rad / cooler exposure the M2C has, there are a lot of bugs buried in. Obviously I've tried spraying with soap and water but the hose just buries them deeper. Most wash off, but too many left for my standard of clean.
Any suggestions how to clean out the bugs?
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      07-02-2019, 08:52 PM   #2
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https://www.ammonyc.com/shop/big-wheel-brush/

Very expensive option, but you can find cheaper versions on amazon. Also very helpful for cleaning wheels/trim
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      07-02-2019, 09:05 PM   #3
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You can try spraying it down with some goo gone, let it sit for a bit to loosen up and then do a low pressure rinse.
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      07-02-2019, 09:17 PM   #4
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I soak with Poorboys Bug Squash then hose. Repeat over and over until they get softened up enough to flush away.
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      07-03-2019, 11:04 AM   #5
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***Be careful if your using a power washer***

Im busy with work and family so she sits mostly, the few days I get free we go on 200+ mile day trips (Maine coast then back) bugs and gunk with red, yellow and green blood everywhere?!?! that's gotta be great for the paint lol

so I power washed it, but I'm a dumbass when it comes to powerwashing, I broke my headlight (water damage inside) $2650 bill from the dealer

Headlights have small vent(s) so some moisture CAN come in & out but power washing could be an issue

I played dumb, took it in, they investigated found no damage but water inside? They replaced it no charge because it was so new

Just don't point the gun directly in front of the front end to clean off bugs, lots of sensitive parts (be careful)
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      07-03-2019, 11:08 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tag View Post
You can try spraying it down with some goo gone, let it sit for a bit to loosen up and then do a low pressure rinse.
#lowpressure
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      07-03-2019, 11:32 AM   #7
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Use a foam gun to soften them up. It worked with the similar 911 Turbo front intakes.

I use this one:
https://www.autogeek.net/dp-quart-foam-gun.html

I won’t use a power washer on my Power Wagon. Too much risk.
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      07-03-2019, 11:50 AM   #8
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I just wait until they are dry and crispy then I use the jet spray. If you get too close with the jet it will bend the small flanges though.
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      07-03-2019, 12:03 PM   #9
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Use a foam gun, then a dedicated detailers brush. I bought a 5 pieces brush kit off of amazon for 12 dollars. Works amazingly well for unpainted surfaces like behind the grills, wheel wells, and lug nuts.

https://www.amazon.com/Master-Detail...gateway&sr=8-3

Avoid pressure washing any car at high psi. Use a wide nozzle, and a good amount of distance. Do test blasts on the cement, or some other safe area. If it cleans the cement, then it's way too fucking powerful for your car. lol
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      07-03-2019, 02:55 PM   #10
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Snow foam to soften up, then pressure wash through grills, but 100psI max with 40deg nozzle no closer then 12" minimum is safe for rads etc, more of a high flow flush then jet blast..

Problem with rads is access due to the grills.
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      07-03-2019, 03:05 PM   #11
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These cars have to be fine to be driven in heavy pouring rain at 140+mph, that is one hell of a water blast.

A long as you don't spray in odd directions I find it hard to believe headlights get water in them when sprayed from the front.
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      07-03-2019, 05:23 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by doughboy View Post
These cars have to be fine to be driven in heavy pouring rain at 140+mph, that is one hell of a water blast.

A long as you don't spray in odd directions I find it hard to believe headlights get water in them when sprayed from the front.
When your an idiot (me) with a new pressure washer you can damage a headlight


I agree, I've used the carwash bays on my truck for years (stronger) never had an issue but my cream puff m2 I F'ed it up

has small vents, pressure washer could and did in my case screw it up (see pics above early post) just writing as a warning be more gentle with a spray gun
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      07-03-2019, 05:28 PM   #13
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I pulled out a sizeable butterfly much to my daughter's dismay and a cigarette butt. Had to use some wire to get it out
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      07-03-2019, 05:51 PM   #14
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Great topic! Just landed in Laguna Beach from San Jose. SO MANY BUGS.

And oh man do I miss cruisin PCH. The roads in NorCal are atrocious
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      07-04-2019, 07:34 AM   #15
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Thanks guys. There are some good suggestions above and I've already ordered some bug cleaning spray and will try that with a low pressure water spray. Brushes (and wire - yikes!) aren't an option here (rad and oil coolers are well back from the plastic grills) unless I remove the plastic grills and I'm not going to try that. Even with the plastic grills removed, I'd be worried about bending the flanges / fins using a brush.

One of the issues with spraying water at the bugs (I'm using a garden hose, so not high pressure) is that the spray just drives the bugs deeper into the flanges / fins of the rads. It washes out some of them, but not all and not the big ones. I know this might seem a little obsessive, but there is so much exposed rad / cooler area and the black grills have large openings so the bugs really show.
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      07-04-2019, 07:57 AM   #16
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The bugs will dry up and disintegrate and just blow away in time, if every bug you ever hit stayed wedged in the rads for ever the car would overheat!
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      07-04-2019, 08:09 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by doughboy View Post
The bugs will dry up and disintegrate and just blow away in time, if every bug you ever hit stayed wedged in the rads for ever the car would overheat!
Yes, but I don't want to wait until they dry up and disintegrate. The front of the car looks ... disgusting!
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      07-04-2019, 11:04 AM   #18
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OK, yes, but you can't even see the rads unless you bend down infront of the car, no one else will notice..
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