radiator fins covered with dead bugs. is it safe to use pressure washer to clean it?

[SnowCover]

radiator fins covered with dead bugs. it was very bad because it was after just two hours of interstate driving on a very sunny day last week.

is it safe to use pressure washer to clean it?

[disintegrator66]

I wouldn't recommend it as aluminum fins bend very easily. I'd be cautious and use a garden hose with low pressure nozzle. Hose it down, let it soak for a while and then repeat.

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by disintegrator66

I wouldn't recommend it as aluminum fins bend very easily. I'd be cautious and use a garden hose with low pressure nozzle. Hose it down, let it soak for a while and then repeat.

I totally agree with this approach, better safe than sorry!

[grannyknot]

You don't have to start with the pressure washer nozzle right up against fins where it definitely bend them, start with the nozzle 3ft away and work towards the rad until you see results.
Shooting down at an angle will help with not driving them deeper into the core, you could also start with a stiff brush see if you can flick most of them out first.

[SnowCover]

Originally Posted by grannyknot

You don't have to start with the pressure washer nozzle right up against fins where it definitely bend them, start with the nozzle 3ft away and work towards the rad until you see results.
Shooting down at an angle will help with not driving them deeper into the core, you could also start with a stiff brush see if you can flick most of them out first.

Thanks! I ended up using a dryer attachment on my shop vac. It's think and meant to go inside the lint tray opening of dryers to suck up link. It worked great and I managed to get almost all of the bugs out. It also helped that I didn't do this right away. A couple of days of driving and the heat from the radiator basically toasted them dry and crispy, which made it easy to vacuum them out.

Edit: I'm keeping this one in the garage and not going to reuse it in the clothes dryer again, obviously.

like this one:

https://www.amazon.com/Holikme-Attac.../dp/B089Q4QHTF