I asked this before in other topics but didn't get an answer so once more:
In several gallery's I've seen a lot of pictures recently where FL2's plunge in quite deep pools. Unfortunately, the water in those looks very muddy so I fear that the radiator of your car doesn't stay clean. Next, as the radiator is hot, the water evaporates quickly leaving a layer of dirt behind...
Did you clean the radiator afterwards ? The fins are very thin and fragile so the use of a high-pressure spraying pistol is not recommended.
Please tell us about your experiences.

I would also like to see some answers on that Paul.
Even if high-pressure sprayed mad would go further in! I would have thought that radiators have to be cleaned from the inside so that any dirt, insects etc get out (not in).
Another question is about engine cleaning in general. With all those electronics, classic spray cleaning is most probably prohibited! Any ideas on that?

With the D3, you take the grill off and run water gently down it whilst brushing with a soft brush. High pressure hoses will blow the crap further in. On a dealer off road day they didn't take the Fl2 through the water as they said it was a pain cleaning the radiator whereas the taller D3 etc it wasn't an issue. Using a wading blanket can help, as does driving at the correct speed (but isn't as much fun ) D4 HSE Lux for me
FL2 HSE Zermatt & Alpacca for the wife now gone
Skoda Yeti L&K for the wife.

Sorry Paul very rude!! I have cleaned mine but taken the lazy route with a jet wash, well I didn't, I got it valeted, lazy yes, costly not too bad!! The muddy water looked worse than it was, it was literally muddy water, more water than mud, so not too much crap on the radiator, however I have noticed the radiator fan blowing alot more than pre Tong, and also when I get in the fan runs on long after the engine is switched off, which never happened before. Now the dirt is off I have noticed a few nasty scratches and chips on the alloys, bit annoying but I suppose no pleasure without pain....

Thanks Carlfraz.
So it looks as if the efficiency of the radiator dropped noticeably which is not surprising...
Good that apparently it could be cleaned well enough.

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Last edited by n4ewg on 6th Oct 2007 5:22 pm. Edited 1 time in total

Carpet slipper for the left foot!!!!

pelyma wrote:

With the D3, you take the grill off and run water gently down it whilst brushing with a soft brush. High pressure hoses will blow the crap further in. On a dealer off road day they didn't take the Fl2 through the water as they said it was a pain cleaning the radiator whereas the taller D3 etc it wasn't an issue. Using a wading blanket can help, as does driving at the correct speed (but isn't as much fun )

Its just struck me - I guess you CAN'T take the grill off the FL2 in 2 seconds flat like you can on a D3  Steve N | 21MY Defender (on order) | 08MY Discovery 3 (history) | 06MY Discovery 3 (ancient history)

Have checked my 'rad' a couple of times, no problems with blockage, no problems with temp control.

The rad is quite complex device, it is engine radiator, turbo intercooler, air conditioner and (in an auto) transmission oil cooler. It is important to keep it clear, however my expereince is that 'wading' to permitted depth hasn't caused any problems ...

Another way to clean any remaining crud out after washing with a hose is to let everything dry fully and if you have a portable compressor, charge it up and then blow between the fins out gently with low pressure compressed air, don't use high pressure though. If you have access to a ramp then you can also clean out underneath the car as well by blowing the dried up crap out - make sure you are wearing goggles when you do this though otherwise your eyes will be smarting for weeks afterward............................. been there had the streaming eyes afterward! How can carbon have a footprint, it has no feet?
Now driving - RRE Coupe Dynamic Lux Auto with Plus pack, Fuji White, Ebony, SD4 with tow pack
Gone - 2010MY FFRR TDv8 Stornoway and Ivory, Privacy - the pace of a TDv8 RRS, the incomparable grace of a Range Rover
Gone but will be missed- RRS Tdv8 HSE Stornoway Grey with Ebony Leather
Gone (only a little missed) RRS Tdv6 2.7SE Giverny Green/Aspen
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