Wading woes..

Lazy-Ferret · 12-10-2015, 15:19

Those of you that off road, how do you stop your radiator becoming blocked with crud when you go through dirty water.

We did some great off roading the other week, but the water in the tank traps was stagnant, and full of rotted leaves, seeds, and mud.

When I got the car home, I washed it all off, and paid special attention to the radiator, as best I could. Having ruined a radiator in the past by Jet washing it, I only used the hose on the radiator, and the Jet wash on the rest of the car.

Since then, my car has started over heating on the motorway, and when towing the caravan. When I investigated, I discovered that the main radiator front, but behind the Aircon radiator, was still covered with detritus, but there is no easy way I can see to get water down there to wash it off.

Today, I ended up taking the top hose off, taking the cowling off, and leaning the radiator back, and made a length of tube with a right angle bend at the end so I could wash it off, removing a tonne of junk in the process.

So how do you all do yours?

Fez_uk · 12-10-2015, 16:31

Some people put a wading cover of sorts to LRs.

You could easily make something similar to catch the crud, I've even seen sheep bags used as a temp measure.

http://www.jgs4x4.co.uk/media/produc...da2157-b1b.jpg

Madmark · 12-10-2015, 16:39

I've been think this as I do pay and play days and always have to take it easy on way home due to rad blocked. By trade I'm an upholsterer and have excess too different grades of hessian so might have to make summit up as out again this weekend

elty001 · 12-10-2015, 17:39

My winch blanket doubles up a wading cover

solarman216 · 12-10-2015, 18:38

Been there done that got the tee shirt, that is why my rad is in the rear door, Rick

firebobby · 12-10-2015, 18:57

That's why I stay on tarmac

12-10-2015, 15:19	#1
Lazy-Ferret Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Sevenoaks, Kent Vehicle: Terrano 2.7TDi SE Touring Posts: 5,221	Wading woes.. Those of you that off road, how do you stop your radiator becoming blocked with crud when you go through dirty water. We did some great off roading the other week, but the water in the tank traps was stagnant, and full of rotted leaves, seeds, and mud. When I got the car home, I washed it all off, and paid special attention to the radiator, as best I could. Having ruined a radiator in the past by Jet washing it, I only used the hose on the radiator, and the Jet wash on the rest of the car. Since then, my car has started over heating on the motorway, and when towing the caravan. When I investigated, I discovered that the main radiator front, but behind the Aircon radiator, was still covered with detritus, but there is no easy way I can see to get water down there to wash it off. Today, I ended up taking the top hose off, taking the cowling off, and leaning the radiator back, and made a length of tube with a right angle bend at the end so I could wash it off, removing a tonne of junk in the process. So how do you all do yours?

12-10-2015, 18:38	#5
solarman216 Off road maniac Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Bexhill on Sea Vehicle: Y60 Patrol Me, 3 ltr Mrs Posts: 17,431	Been there done that got the tee shirt, that is why my rad is in the rear door, Rick __________________ Ex banger racer now off road maniac Lokka on the front with manual hubs Diff lock on rear 3 inch SS straight through exhaust Manly winch bumper with 13000 lb winch 10 spike ground anchor, with multiple straps and blocks Super strong body cills capped with scaffold pole 20% stronger springs all round aggressive off road tyres on wheels so just swap. Aim to get stuck and be completely self sufficient in extraction, love getting muddy, 2ft deep is good but rare.

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12-10-2015, 16:31	#2
Fez_uk Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Mid-Wales Vehicle: Maverick 2.7 - Patrol 4.2 Posts: 5,645	Some people put a wading cover of sorts to LRs. You could easily make something similar to catch the crud, I've even seen sheep bags used as a temp measure. http://www.jgs4x4.co.uk/media/produc...da2157-b1b.jpg

12-10-2015, 16:39	#3
Madmark Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Dorset Vehicle: highly modded Terrano 2 Posts: 1,088	I've been think this as I do pay and play days and always have to take it easy on way home due to rad blocked. By trade I'm an upholsterer and have excess too different grades of hessian so might have to make summit up as out again this weekend

12-10-2015, 17:39	#4
elty001 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Aflreton,Derbyshire. Vehicle: 2000se+ 2.7tdi terrano II Posts: 6,832	My winch blanket doubles up a wading cover

12-10-2015, 18:57	#6
firebobby Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: South Bucks Vehicle: Terrano 3.0 SVE 2005 Posts: 3,499	That's why I stay on tarmac