Front radiators clean up + trivia....

[jpflip]

What a surprise after the front bumper removal. A lot of leafs and dirt stuck in the corner on both side blocking part of engine water cooling radiators and a/c condensers...Do yourself a favor. It takes only 30 minutes max to remove the plastic cover of the front bumper and after you got access for a good clean up and inspection... Also I was surprised to found a cable that release the front hood. But I cannot found were it goes....I dismantle the right wheel well covers but no access to this cable because I have read somewhere about an handle... I am sure it is an emergency release but does it go to the cockpit or behind the glove box. Thanks, J.P.

Edited July 30, 2008 by jpflip

[wross996TT]

Some folks attach the release cable with a wire to the back of the tow hook on the front bumper...just somewhere you can get access from the front is OK.

[JeTexas]

Some years have an internal handle to save you from trunk entrapment.

Seems like I remember reading something about an emergency release accessible from inside the passenger door frame, but I don't have my owner's manual with me.

[Chuck Jones]

The release from the inside of the passenger's side door frame is a black plastic ring that is the emergency release for your locking mechanism on the gas flap....it's the gas cap accuator and only is activated when you lock your car....don't pull on it too hard or you'll break the plastic shaft that goes into the receiving hole on the underside of the gas flap. There's a DIY on replacing the actuator in Loren's DIY site.

Your emergency release for the front trunk is behind the passenger's headlight....the one for the engine compartment is tucked behind the driver's rear tail light. Some folks (like me) move the cables to where they can be more easily accessed as suggested in a previous thread...

Edited July 30, 2008 by Chuck Jones

[wross996TT]

Well said Chuck.

[White987S]

Before and after (dry first, then wet) everytime I wash my car, I use my leaf blower to clean out the front radiators. Works great. I use it to dry the car off too.

[GT2IAN]

The leaf blower is one of the best ideas I've heard.After an earlier post [about drying brakes without going for a run] I purchased one and it is so good at blowing off dust and water without having to touch the car[various rubbers and seals excepted].

I found the hidden wires too.Until today I thought they were something put in by the previous owner but now it seems everyone has them! :rolleyes:

[Chuck Jones]

The only real problem with the leaf blower (which I also use to dry the car) is that it won't get rid of the dirt and debris that accumulates between the radiator and the AC evaporator.....the crud actually gets sandwiched between those two radiator like parts and you'll be totally surprised at how much can build up in between. I used to just vacuum and blow out the front radiators and thought it was a done deal.....Loren had me take off the front bumper and I was shocked at how much STUFF was in between...

You should really take off the front bumper for your mid-winter project after all the fall leaves have fallen. There are a number of pictures if you do a search showing the crud between the two. I actually had two dead sparrows on one side. Must've been mating season...they never saw it coming....so to speak.

[jpflip]

Too bad I cannot post my pics because it is really a mess in the aft corners where everything accumulates...I am sure over 10% to 20% of efficiency was lost...

(If you feel like explaining a computer illiterate the way to post picture on this forum feel free to PM me, Ihanks) (Now I can thanks to Loren...)

Mysterious cable going far in the aft portion of the right fender...As you mention may be it is coming back to the headlight. Will found out next radiators cleaning...Thanks for your help, info and patience with a new french speaking 996TT owner, computer illiterate. Soon my english will get better especially after I translate all Chuck Jones thread and replies to this forum ;)

Edited July 31, 2008 by jpflip

[Loren]

Too bad I cannot post my pics because it is really a mess in the aft corners where everything accumulates...I am sure over 10% to 20% of efficiency was lost...

(If you feel like explaining a computer illiterate the way to post picture on this forum feel free to PM me, Ihanks)

How to attach files or images

[jpflip]

Since I know now how to post a picture (Thanks to Loren) allow me to post a pics of my TT....

[RFM]

jpflip

Looks like the left airco condenser is leaking !

[jpflip]

Water from a very deep cleaning with the garden hose..after the vacuum of course...And I used a fine little screwdriver to gently straighten the fins that were damaged by rocks...

[RFM]

I mean photo 1 ( before cleaning ) an oil spot is obvious visible on the left condenser, i should take a look if i was you.

[jpflip]

Thanks for the advise. I see what you mean but it was my first trial of cleaning it up with the bumper in place with an air gun and a product called simple green...I realized later the situation needed the bumper ,or has per repair manual, the front spoiler removal.

[Chuck Jones]

Next time you clean out your radiators, re-route that "mysterious cable" from where it's lying behind the headlight to an area in the front...some guys put it on a zip tie behind the hole where the screw-in towing eye goes. That way if you ever have your front trunk get stuck shut, you can get to the cable release a lot more easily than fishing for it behind the headlight. You can actually tuck it in any number of secret places limited only by your imagination.

I learned this the hard way....and had to take out the front wheel lining just to find where they had stashed the cable behind the passenger's side headlight.

[jpflip]

Thanks for your help and info Chuck...