Radiator Fin Comb? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

captainchris · #1 12-01-2006, 11:54 AM

I was browsing at the local Horbor Freight Tools and found a "Radiator Fin Comb". [Sorry, I couldn't find it in their on-line catalog for a link.]

Has anyone used one, and did it make any quantifiable change in your coolant temp or A/C temp? Or is this a case of "Don't waste your money"? I think it was less than $10.

I don't currently have coolant or A/C temp issues, but my A/C condenser is dinged pretty badly (with the exception of a circle where the aux. fan is). I have to believe that it is occluding air flow to the radiator behind it and hurting the A/C efficiency (or overworking it).

I guess what I'm wodering is, will combing the fins drop my coolant levels at all? And if so, does it matter? I currently run at about 87-95 C.

babymog · #2 12-01-2006, 12:19 PM

Fin combs are used frequently by HVAC guys, they are to straighten bent fins.

uberwgn · #3 12-01-2006, 12:31 PM

I think it's almost a cosmetic/detailing thing. Unless you have widespread damage to the fins, I doubt very much you're gonna notice a change in AC performance or temp change.

Washing the condensor and radiator from the rear side would likely have a measurable change. You'd be surprised how much junk you can wash out.

Eastwood also has various fin rakes.

vstech · #4 12-01-2006, 12:34 PM

be gentle, but if successful should improve cooling and a/c function.
John

Johnhef · #5 12-01-2006, 03:03 PM

by the looks of yours, you might see an improvement. thats pretty bad.

vstech · #6 12-01-2006, 07:49 PM

wow, that's a lot of bent fins... what happened? misuse of pressure washer? naughty kids playing?
wow.
John

captainchris · #7 12-01-2006, 09:44 PM

Yeah, it seemed like a lot of bent fins to me, which prompted the post.

That's how I got it from the PO. Maybe pressure washer damage?

The oil cooler right next to it, the radiator behind it, and the condenser where the aux. fan is, are fine. The oil cooler and radiator could be replaced, but why the clean area where the aux. fan is? Also, if the damage was by 23 years of road debris, wouldn't the grill be trashed? It isn't.

It would make an interesting experiment to see if combing makes a quantifiable difference in operating temp.

Jeremy5848 · #8 12-01-2006, 09:51 PM

Also an interesting experiment to see whether the comb will work, given the amount of bent fins you have. I would hope that you would not have to do a rough fix one fin at a time with a screwdriver, needle-nose pliers or whatever. Please let us know how this plays out.

bgkast · #9 12-01-2006, 09:58 PM

I tried the screwdriver method once...It was no picnic

Johnhef · #10 12-01-2006, 10:35 PM

the comb might not be that easy when its that bad, it's hard to keep it in the fins. in other words it could take awhile to get it all done and some of the metal might rip.

JimmyL · #11 12-01-2006, 10:41 PM

I put Scar back together a few days ago so she would be a running driving "who knows what in the future" car, and I found myself with a small screwdriver straightening out the condenser fins.
OCD is a wonderful thing.......

#12 12-01-2006, 10:56 PM

I got mine for $2, and it worked great

Ara T. · #13 12-02-2006, 04:49 AM

Jesus christ. Isn't that poor rad too far gone? I'd guess using a comb on that would be as useful as a comb being used a bald man.

bgkast · #14 12-02-2006, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyL

I put Scar back together a few days ago so she would be a running driving "who knows what in the future" car, and I found myself with a small screwdriver straightening out the condenser fins.
OCD is a wonderful thing.......

Now you just need a "trunk comb"!

Shorebilly · #15 12-03-2006, 03:59 PM

Fin Combs work.....I have a couple of different styles......but their use is not nearly as easy as combing your hair......take your time, and a screwdriver and needlenose are handy to have nearby.......basically, you can repair that damage, but it isn't as easy as running the comb down the fins.....

SB