Mud in Radiator - Overheating!

Hi all,

So 'Lee R D 30' and I had a blast at Slindon Safari in Sussex today at one of their pay and pay days.

On the way back though, both of our Jimny's started to get very hot and we had to keep pulling over to let them cool down. We noticed both radiators were pretty gummed up with baked on mud so pulled into a jet wash and blasted as much crap out of them as possible which seemed to improve things after a few attempts.

How do we avoid this happening again? Also is there anything I can spray on the rad to clear it out of mud or is it going to be a case of removing it and checking the fins?

Cheers

Ryan

I have aluminium mesh in my grilles. This catches most of the mud and is easily cleaned out and stops the fins being clogged. Also works well in Summer when the locusts reach plague proportions in Oz. A lot easier to clean the grills than letting the bugs get as far as the radiator.

The other option is to not go through muddy water deep enough to get into the radiator fins.

This is the dull answer I know but muddy water kills cars like the Jimny in other ways too, like the swivel seals are not designed to keep water out so it gets to your kingpin bearings also!

Kirkynut

... and into the diffs if the breathers haven't had extensions fitted to them to keep them above the waterline

I avoid water and mud if possible.

Not going through the muddy water is a little unavoidable at times with some of these trails, and yea it's pretty fun!

Does the mesh over the grilles not restrict airflow a little?

Is it worth fitting some kind of under trays to stop the water from splashing up into the bay?

I like the idea of the mesh in the front grille. Job for next weekend I am thinking.