Radiator / AC condenser dirt trap

[elaterite]

The photos below show the space between the A/C condenser (in front) and the radiator behind the A/C condenser.

As seen in one photo, I removed the plastic cover at the front of the engine compartment exposing the gap between the condenser and the radiator.

I was surprised to find the front of the radiator clogged with road gunk, dirt, leaves, and bugs. It would seem that it would be hard for all of that trash--there was even popcorn packing styrofoam at the bottom of the gap--to collect in there when it seems pretty well sealed on top where the plastic shield is affixed with several plastic push-rivets.

I had to fish the larger junk out, such as the styrofoam popcorn and large leaves, as there's almost no space at the bottom of the gap for the crud to be washed out with a hose. (You could always remove the skid-plate, front plastic piece, air dam, and another plastic shield to let the crud washout the bottom, but that's a big hassle.)

Maybe y'all aware of this, I'm a new Ranger owner (bought a used '21), but I was pretty surprised to see this. The truck wasn't running hot, but by 100k miles, with more years of crud plugging up radiator, it might start making a difference. FYI...

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[Msfitoy]

I've noticed that trap...maybe try a water hose?

 

[bluemango404]

I just noticed this on my '21 that sees actual farming miles in the field every year.

Just installed the ' 'Merica Bumper Grille Insert Black fits 2019 - 2023 Ford Ranger ' and felt a bunch of leaves at the bottom where I could reach. Kept feeling more and more shit and looked and the side and its pretty clogged with wheat chafe / leaves / cotton.

Im thinking of using a shopvac and a super small hose will be my first attempt. Maybe then air and water would be a final resort.

 

[Frenchy]

Nothing wrong with taking compressed air to clean it out. This is considered maintenance on many vehicles that deal with higher levels of dirt dust and Debris

 

[bluemango404]

Fair enough. our '89 1 ton chevy farm truck never had that gap 'blown out' and it was literally full of about every debris possible.

Prolly just gonna do it every year after harvest now.

And my AC condenser also has a shit ton of 'little rock/bug bumps' on the fins which I think is a pretty poor design.

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