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#1
12-01-2006, 11:54 AM
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Radiator Fin Comb? [edit: pictures added]
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.
__________________
'83 300TD 176k "Sherman" Last edited by captainchris; 12-01-2006 at 01:18 PM. Reason: Pictures added 
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#2
12-01-2006, 12:19 PM
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Fin combs are used frequently by HVAC guys, they are to straighten bent fins.
__________________
 Gone to the dark side - Jeff
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#3
12-01-2006, 12:31 PM
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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.
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#4
12-01-2006, 12:34 PM
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be gentle, but if successful should improve cooling and a/c function.
John
__________________
John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread "as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do! My drivers: 1987 190D 2.5Turbo 1987 560SL convertible 1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!  1987 300TD 2005 Dodge Sprinter 2500 158"WB 1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!
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#5
12-01-2006, 03:03 PM
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by the looks of yours, you might see an improvement. thats pretty bad.
__________________
 1980 500SE/AMG Euro 1981 500SEL Euro 1982 380SEL 1983 300TD 1983 500SEC/AMG Euro 1984 500SEC 1984 300TD Euro 1986 190E 2.3-16 1986 190E 2.3 1987 300D 1997 C36 AMG 2003 C320T 4matic past: 1969 280SE 4.5 | 1978 240D | 1978 300D | 1981 300SD | 1981 300SD | 1982 300CD | 1983 300CD | 1983 300SD | 1983 380SEC | 1984 300D | 1984 300D | 1984 300TD | 1984 500SEL | 1984 300SD | 1985 300D | 1986 300E | 1986 560SEL | 1986 560SEL/Carat | 1987 560SEC | 1991 300D 2.5 | 2006 R350
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#6
12-01-2006, 07:49 PM
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wow, that's a lot of bent fins... what happened? misuse of pressure washer? naughty kids playing?
wow. John
__________________
John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread "as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do! My drivers: 1987 190D 2.5Turbo 1987 560SL convertible 1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!! 1987 300TD 2005 Dodge Sprinter 2500 158"WB 1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!
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#7
12-01-2006, 09:44 PM
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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.
__________________
'83 300TD 176k "Sherman"
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