Getting Bugs from Condensor?

[LilRedMini]

Even though we are now having Fall weather, we have had LOTS of BIG bugs. Lots of big grasshoppers and locusts. They must like red because my MINI grill gets covered and there are zillions at the base of the a/c condensor where I can't get at them to clean them out.

Does anyone have a solution other than removing the bumper and front end to clean them out?

I am going to try to make a skinny tube for my shopvac, but I think if I make it skinny enough to fit between the top of the grill and the condensor it will not have enough air flow to pick up the bugs.

Any solutions you might have come up with would be welcome.

Have a great day,

[BradB]

Wow, what a great challenge! I need to look into that this weekend.

I have what I call my radiator brush that I used for my '58 Jaguar Grille. It was a artist paintbrush with about a foot long handle. Worked great.

[scooterboy]

Actually the skinnier you make the attachment, the more suction you should get. Let us know what you come up with.

[LilRedMini]

Yes, as the tube gets smaller the air SPEED increases, but not the VOLUME.

It worked reasonably well considering that the vacuum is being drawn at a right angle to radiator flow. It is clean enough for now and with the cooler weather, the rate of bug collection is decreasing.

I will pull the front before too long and and clean it properly.

[retroom]

Try blowing air through the radiator from back to front, using a shop vac set to reverse flow.

retroom

[lotsie]

I clean them as best I can with high pressure water.What does not come off is blasted off with winter driving.My rad is clean in early spring before the bugs come back

[911Fan]

The answer is a natural process -- dessication.

[lotsie]

Originally Posted by 911Fan

The answer is a natural process -- dessication.

I just washed and polished Poco,used a brush to get what bugs I could off the rad,and like you say the rest will just dessicate.

[BradB]

I fooled with this a bit and the best solution I found was an attachment I have for my air compressor. It's a long tube (about 30" long, with a 30 degree angle on the end) with a couple nozzle choices for the end.

I could insert the tube through the grill slots and shoot air at an angle at the condensor veins. It created enough turbulence that it blew the bugs and rocks out (not in).

It worked pretty fast.

[BOLLX]

With high pressure air and/or water, or even with brushing, are you guys concerned with bending the fins on your radiator?

I've left the bugs on the radiator alone, but b/c the intercooler is so accessible I do take the time to clean it (carefully).

[BradB]

Yes, very concerned. But it didn't cause any problems when I blew it out.

[MiniBanker]

I just got home last night with my new baby and found bugs on the front!!!
I know this will happen alot, what do I use to get the bugs off without going thru an entire wash?

Oh, I will be washing thoroughly this weekend. I am going to following some of the instructions I have read here:

Dawn wash to remove old wax

New wax job with new product, Zaino, or something bought locally

[BradB]

First I just simply squirt a little QD on them. That will work for most of them. I do this daily. Use a MF towel. I hate those bug scrubbers. They mar the surface causing scratches.

For the bad ones...I love Porsches bug remover. Just melts those little suckers so you don't have to scrub. Some bugs are so acidic they will stain yellow. Get them off quick! 1Z's is also supposed to be very good. Check this out.

[MiniBanker]

QD?

[BostonMarkC]

Quick detailer...the spray stuff you can use on a car that's mostly clean.

Originally Posted by MiniBanker

QD?

[minihune]

If you like prevention then for an MCS a bonnet scoop add on grill will reduce some bugs that hit the intercooler fins.

I wonder about a screen in front of the radiator to catch some of the bad guys before they hit.