Cleaning front radiators

GregW / Oregon · 09-26-2015, 02:04 PM

It's nice that BMW gives us those six radiators up front, but how about giving us a way to clean them easily? Below is the result of passing a few hay trucks on the freeway over the course of a month or so. Debris collects at the bottom in front of the transmission cooler and on top of the engine oil cooler and is very difficult to get out. Openings in the lower center grille are only 1/2" high, and side ones even smaller. I rigged up a tube to my vacuum hose, and it took me about half an hour to get most of the stuff out.

Unless I'm missing something, there is no easy way to take the grilles out. Why not make them removable with a few externally accessible fasteners? Would make maintenance a whole lot easier.

AM4ZING · 09-26-2015, 02:08 PM

I had to have my front lower grill replaced and required removal of the front bumper

Wei718 · 09-26-2015, 02:28 PM

I just figured out how to get the debris out from the oil cooler without removing the bumper.

You gotta remove left, right and middle undertray. After that you'll see 3 13MM bolts holding up the oil cooler you remove that and the oil cooler can be lowered and that will give you access to the coolers to clean out the debris and quite possibly removing the lower grill without removing the entire bumper. Next time anyone is jacked up on stands give that a shot.

Lynchmob6 · 09-26-2015, 08:55 PM

Here's my solution, as this was bothering me too…
http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...3&postcount=15

GregW / Oregon · 09-28-2015, 08:26 PM

This was moved from the General forum by the moderator. I consider it more of a mechanical maintenance issue, not cosmetic. Blocking part of the radiators decreases their effectiveness.

09-26-2015, 02:04 PM	#1
GregW / Oregon Commander-In-Chief 2122 Rep 8,924 Posts Drives: 2023 M2 Coupe, 2020 GLE 450 Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Lake Oswego, OR iTrader: (3) Garage List 2023 M2 Coupe [9.83] 2020 Mercedes GLE 450 [7.25]	Cleaning front radiators It's nice that BMW gives us those six radiators up front, but how about giving us a way to clean them easily? Below is the result of passing a few hay trucks on the freeway over the course of a month or so. Debris collects at the bottom in front of the transmission cooler and on top of the engine oil cooler and is very difficult to get out. Openings in the lower center grille are only 1/2" high, and side ones even smaller. I rigged up a tube to my vacuum hose, and it took me about half an hour to get most of the stuff out. Unless I'm missing something, there is no easy way to take the grilles out. Why not make them removable with a few externally accessible fasteners? Would make maintenance a whole lot easier. __________________ Greg Lake Oswego, Oregon, USA 2023 M2 Coupe - Brooklyn Grey/Cognac/CF, 6MT; 2020 MB GLE 450
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09-26-2015, 02:08 PM	#2
AM4ZING Colonel 1205 Rep 2,105 Posts Drives: M4 MW/SO 6MT, E46 M3 AW/IR 6MT Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2004 BMW M3 [0.00] 2015 BMW M4 [0.00]	I had to have my front lower grill replaced and required removal of the front bumper __________________ MILA \| E46 BMW M3 \| AW/IR \| 6MT \| KW V3 \| CSL \| Vorsteiner \| EMILY \| F82 BMW M4 \| MW/SO \| 6MT \| M Carbon Ceramic Brakes \| M Performance Exhaust \|
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09-26-2015, 02:28 PM	#3
Wei718 Major 340 Rep 1,089 Posts Drives: 718 GT4 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Hayward iTrader: (9)	I just figured out how to get the debris out from the oil cooler without removing the bumper. You gotta remove left, right and middle undertray. After that you'll see 3 13MM bolts holding up the oil cooler you remove that and the oil cooler can be lowered and that will give you access to the coolers to clean out the debris and quite possibly removing the lower grill without removing the entire bumper. Next time anyone is jacked up on stands give that a shot.
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09-26-2015, 08:55 PM	#4
Lynchmob6 Major 368 Rep 1,175 Posts Drives: 2015 SO/SO F80 & 135 M-Sport Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Central Florida iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW 128i Conve ... [0.00] 2015 BMW M3 [0.00]	Here's my solution, as this was bothering me too… http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...3&postcount=15 __________________ ///M3 SO/SO / MT / 19" Black Alloys / Executive Pkg. / Lighting Pkg. / Adaptive Suspension / Enhanced USB / HK / Full Front XPEL / 35 Tint / MODS: Custom painted engine cover and grill surrounds, Pedal Haus Kit, M-Performance Alcantara shifter/boot & e-brake boot, carbon e-brake handle, wrapped seat shells/rear headrests, M-Performance Spoiler with CRT Stripe.
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09-28-2015, 08:26 PM	#5
GregW / Oregon Commander-In-Chief 2122 Rep 8,924 Posts Drives: 2023 M2 Coupe, 2020 GLE 450 Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Lake Oswego, OR iTrader: (3) Garage List 2023 M2 Coupe [9.83] 2020 Mercedes GLE 450 [7.25]	Radiator cleaning This was moved from the General forum by the moderator. I consider it more of a mechanical maintenance issue, not cosmetic. Blocking part of the radiators decreases their effectiveness. __________________ Greg Lake Oswego, Oregon, USA 2023 M2 Coupe - Brooklyn Grey/Cognac/CF, 6MT; 2020 MB GLE 450
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