Bug screen behind grille

[BobWolf]

Is it safe to place a screen behind the grille to avoid beating the heck out of my AC condenser with bugs? Ive see it done but I do know from Fire fighting that a window screen will reduce airflow of a fan up to 50%..... There is apx 3 inches betwene the condensor and the radiator.

I am in the middle of the long tedious task of strautening the fins one at a time with a sewing needle and pick. My A/C fin comb dosent match the fin arrangement if anything I flattened a couple when I tried it. Also any tips on how to speed things up. Id replace the condenser but it works and dose its job. The only reason Im messing with the fins is so I have better airflow. Engine temps have been running high when temps pass 80 Deg. F this summer.

Just got done with replacing all the hoses, and a complete flush & fill and new 16 lb presssure cap.

Let me know if Im wasting daylight trying to straiten the fins as somtimes I tend to try reinventing the wheel.

Bob Wolf.

 

[Murraycroexp]

Check the screen section at Lowe's. I saw some a couple of weeks ago that had a little bigger "holes". I would bet they could fix you up and not restrict. They have a few different materials and metals.

 

[guido4475]

Did you check between the dad and the condenser for dirt and fuzz buildup? You may be surprised how much accumulates in there over a year or so. It makes a huge difference on the a/c and engine temp.

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[BobWolf]

Check the screen section at Lowe's. I saw some a couple of weeks ago that had a little bigger "holes". I would bet they could fix you up and not restrict. They have a few different materials and metals.

Did you check between the dad and the condenser for dirt and fuzz buildup? You may be surprised how much accumulates in there over a year or so. It makes a huge difference on the a/c and engine temp.

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Thanks guys

Murray, Ill check it out later tonite or tommorrow if the mesh has bigger holes I wont be too worried. took a close look I thing I wont have a problem.

Guido, The next step was going to be a good flush out youre right abbout how much crud and bug carnage accumulates. Anytime I clean them I wonder how air can flow at all and the truck dosent just vaporize. I give the radiator a goodcleaning a couple timws a year.

I found a product made by Body Pro called Franks Special Citrus Cleaner. It works awesome on just about everything on and in the truck. Only thing is I can only find it at dollup andbody shop suply houses. At least here in New York State.

Bob Wolf.

 

[guido4475]

Pull the radiator. Or at least take the top mounts off to be able to push it apart from the condensor.homo depot sells a/c coil condensor cleaner. Five bucks a can. I use 2 cans and douche everything I can in the front. Let it sit for 5 minutes and than use a garden hose and thoughly rinse everything off. watch the black dirt fall on the ground.

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[highway star]

homo depot

They have their own stores now?

 

[SHARP327]

I've had my radiator blown out at a International dealer once and they used a piece of pvc pipe about 1/2 "dia. which was crimped at the end (looked like they used heat and glue to flatten and seal) and had holes drilled on one side of the pipe and it also looked like they heated the pipe to create and oval shape....the pipe was about 2' long and fit between the radiator and the condensor and was fitted to accept an air hose fitting....I don't know how much air pressure they used but it sure created a large dust cloud in the shop that caused people to vacate and as for the screen...I have since used a regular window screen material attached with Velcro and haven't had any problems in over 4 years.

I want to add that in the winter I remove the screen to keep snow from plugging up the air flow and during the summer I often brush off the screen with a brush to help with the air flow.

 

[BobWolf]

Thanks again for the tips.
As far as Homo Depot do I have to wear the whole leather S&M suit or just bring the whip?

 

[highway star]

I've had my radiator blown

There's a joke there, but I think I'd better pass...

 

[SHARP327]

okay I'm game!...what's the joke?....that quote wasn't in it's entirety.

 

[guido4475]

I've had my radiator blown out at a International dealer once and they used a piece of pvc pipe about 1/2 "dia. which was crimped at the end (looked like they used heat and glue to flatten and seal) and had holes drilled on one side of the pipe and it also looked like they heated the pipe to create and oval shape....the pipe was about 2' long and fit between the radiator and the condensor and was fitted to accept an air hose fitting....I don't know how much air pressure they used but it sure created a large dust cloud in the shop that caused people to vacate and as for the screen...I have since used a regular window screen material attached with Velcro and haven't had any problems in over 4 years.

I want to add that in the winter I remove the screen to keep snow from plugging up the air flow and during the summer I often brush off the screen with a brush to help with the air flow.

There is a metal version of that blow pipe on the market now made specifically for that purpose.But I think the spray foam cleaner gets it alot more clean, rinsing off the dirt and residue that is stuck to the radiator and condensor.

 

[highway star]

....that quote wasn't in it's entirety.

Well, yeah, that helps in the joke department.

 

[BobWolf]

I picked up a couple cans of A/C cleaner Ill give it a shot tommorow now, abbout the blowing topic.......
There I stired it up.

 

[Moot]

Is it safe to place a screen behind the grille to avoid beating the heck out of my AC condenser with bugs? Ive see it done but I do know from Fire fighting that a window screen will reduce airflow of a fan up to 50%..... There is apx 3 inches betwene the condensor and the radiator.

I use ¼" galvanized hardware cloth. It will restrict air flow some, but not near as much as window screen. I attach it to the back side of the grill with cable ties.

 

[BobWolf]

I tried the window screen, dose slow the airflow some but Temps are better, still up but dont go past 200 deg.F unless the throtle is flat to the mat, better than 210 so long as I keep the rps arround 2000 or lower.
I might be looking arround for a new AC condensor I abandoned the idea of straitening the fins taking way to long for the progress I made compared to blowing out the radiator.

Had a tech mention that if the injectors start getting lazy it will increase temps, sounds reasonable but is there any truth to this or is he looking to unload three grand from my pocket? Its not smoking or running rich that I notice.

Bob Wolf

 

[spongebox1]

I tried the window screen, dose slow the airflow some but Temps are better, still up but dont go past 200 deg.F unless the throtle is flat to the mat, better than 210 so long as I keep the rps arround 2000 or lower.
I might be looking arround for a new AC condensor I abandoned the idea of straitening the fins taking way to long for the progress I made compared to blowing out the radiator.

Had a tech mention that if the injectors start getting lazy it will increase temps, sounds reasonable but is there any truth to this or is he looking to unload three grand from my pocket? Its not smoking or running rich that I notice.

Bob Wolf

Sounds like he's selling a repair that's not really needed, you looked into a radiator shop straighten the fins out? Them condensors are expensive

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[BobWolf]

I use an old school radiator shop in Rochester Ill stop by at the end of the week. They have been arround forever and even do recores and custom work. Zorry mentioned a tool truck should have the right size fin comb. Ill give that a try too.
I dont want to replace a condensor that otherwise works unless I have no choice.

Bob Wolf

 

[spongebox1]

I use an old school radiator shop in Rochester Ill stop by at the end of the week. They have been arround forever and even do recores and custom work. Zorry mentioned a tool truck should have the right size fin comb. Ill give that a try too.
I dont want to replace a condensor that otherwise works unless I have no choice.

Bob Wolf

The fin combs work well and it does not take to terribly long to do.

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[zorry]

Not sure, a decent NAPA may have a comb if you can't find a Snap-on guy.

 

[BobWolf]

The one I have I bought at Napa looks like car and light truck spacing I think I might need a larger one for trucks.
Ill admit I am often accused of being a cheapskate, but its the principle of at least attempting to be self sufficient and although Im not a greenie tree hugger I do belive in not wasting resorces.

Bob Wolf