Cleaning the radiator with Simple Green

[Stan Simpson]

I've read several posts here that suggest Simple Green as the go to product for cleaning the radiator fins. I have some questions.

1. Do folks take the fan off first?
2. How long to let it sit before rinsing off?

Thanks.

[Steve Huber Co-Admin]

Stan,
Consider using Dawn instead of Simple Green as the latter reportedly can attack aluminum if left on for an extended time. Regardless of what you use rinse it off before it drys. Unless radiator is super dirty, you should be able to clean it without removing fan. If it is super dirty, consider having it steam cleaned, especially if it has oil and grease residue. Use a hose, not a pressure washer as its force can/will bend the fins.
Steve

[Roy C Tyler]

Plain Simple Green is suppose to be hard on aluminum radiators but Extreme Simple Green is OK.  I used Extreme Simple Green to clean my radiator.  I have a rear radiator so I clean it at least once a year. The first time I cleaned it, after I had owned it for two years, it lowered my running temperature from 188 degrees to 180 degrees.

I spray the Extreme Simple Green into the fins from the rear and let it set for about two minutes and then rinse it good with the hose with a regular sprayer on it. No high pressure.

[Larry Dedrick]

Stan
       As Roy said, Extreme Simple Green. Military switched to the Extreme for that reason, does not attack aluminum.

           Larry D.

[Joel Ashley]

Make sure the bottle has the “motorsports” word on it’s label.  Not everywhere carrys any version other than the basic (aluminum unfriendly) Simple Green.  I found some at Fred Meyer’s if you are in the Northwest, but try Ace if you are in the Midwest, Stan.
https://simplegreen.com/products/extreme-motorsports-cleaner-degreaser/

Joel

[Stan Simpson]

So, I used regular Simple Green to clean the radiator, not the Extreme Simple Green. I sprayed it on from the spray bottle, let it sit for 10 minutes and rinsed it off with a soft spray from the hose. I did that twice.

How badly have I damaged the radiator? Can I remedy it by going back and doing it again with the Extreme?

Thanks.

[Steve Huber Co-Admin]

Stan,
IMHO if you rinsed the radiator completely you should be OK. Another heavy rinse wouldn't hurt.
Steve

[Bryan Beamon]

Stan, I have used regular Simale Green 2 times on our previous 97 Patriot and one time on our 07 Contessa before I herd about the proper version of Simple Green. We have put over 300k on those 2 coaches in the last 20 years and never replaced our radiators. You are probably just fine.