How to Clean the Front of the Radiator in a VW Jetta
The hub of your VW Jetta cooling system, the radiator, cools off the engine and protects it from overheating. The cooling process pulls in air while you drive. This also causes leaves, insects, dirt and other debris to suck into the fins (vents) of the radiator and hold heat. Clean the front of the radiator in a VW Jetta to avoid overheating. These steps relate to most model years.
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Instructions
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Cool down the Jetta engine prior to cleaning the radiator. Auto sources say you could damage a hot engine if cold water gets on it. Moreover, you could receive severe burns, because a hot engine means the radiator contains hot coolant under powerful pressure.
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Raise your hood. See the radiator near the front of your vehicle behind the grille. The rectangular shaped device sits in the same place for the 4-cylinder and 6-cylinder engines.
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Scrub the front of the radiator gently after dipping the nylon brush into the soapy water. This loosens dead insects and other debris. Hold the brush between the grille and the radiator or directly through slots in the grille.
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Rub your brush softly in the direction of the fins. Scrubbing against the direction of the delicate metal fins bends them. Put your hose between the grille and the radiator or spray the radiator directly through the grille. Put the water pressure on low since excess pressure causes the fragile fins to bend.
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Cover the radiator front with gentle streams of water to rinse. Repeat this cleansing process every 12,000 miles or according to scheduled maintenance in your owner's manual.
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Tips & Warnings
To reach all areas of the radiator, use a long handle nylon brush. You can use this brush to clean through the front grille too. On some vehicles, you can remove the grille to clean the radiator front. When doing this, work with a licensed mechanic to ensure proper grille removal and replacement. If your grille contains mesh wiring, clean between your grille and the radiator or contact a mechanic for assistance.
