Engine Radiator Cleaning

Warning

NEVER spray water on a hot heat exchanger. The resulting steam could cause personal injury.

Caution

The heat exchanger fins are necessary for good heat transfer. Do not brush the fins. This may cause damage to the fins, reducing heat transfer. Remove bugs, dirt, leaves and other debris by blowing compressed air through the engine side of the radiator. Some conditions may require the use of warm water and a mild (non caustic) detergent. Clean the air conditioning condenser fins. Clean between the air conditioning condenser and radiator. Clean between the air conditioning condenser and transmission fluid auxiliary cooler, if equipped. Clean the charge air cooler fins, if equipped. Clean the radiator cooling fins. Straighten any damaged cooling fins.

Last updated: Aug 8, 2026

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Safety notice.Service procedures involve real hazards — hot surfaces, high‑pressure fluids, stored energy in springs and airbags, and high‑voltage systems.Always follow the WARNING and CAUTION notices in the original text.Improper repair can cause serious injury, death, or vehicle damage. This site mirrors factory documentation for reference; you are responsible for the safe execution of any procedure. Use appropriate PPE, torque to spec, and never bypass safety systems.

Content extracted from the official GM factory service manual (document ID 15530883). All rights to the original text and diagrams belong to General Motors. This site is an unofficial technical reference — not affiliated with, endorsed by, or supported by GM.