How did that get there?

[Braz86]

Fiddling around blindly underneath, I felt a few leaves between the two radiators so decided to pull them out. Then I felt more and more. Decided to pull the rad off the brackets and lean it back to see what was going on. 20 years of everything it turns out

Now I'm used to cleaning heat exchangers and the such like at work, but how can so much get in a gap barely big enough to stick a finger?! Took the plastic edge strip off the top of the radiator to brush off wedged feathers and it came out alright. Here's the pile left

So it may be a good idea to take 10 minutes to pull the radiator out a bit and clean between. It'll be worth it!

 

[t-tony]

Very similar for Z4 (E85) owners, when you change the A/C pollen/cabin filter you'll need a vacuum cleaner handy.

Tony.

ps. Not a problem with the Z3.

 

[Synclare]

It's the same with the air trunking that takes air to the rear of the alternator for cooling purposes - chances are it's blocked solid at the rear of the alternator.

 

[Sean d]

It's the same with the air trunking that takes air to the rear of the alternator for cooling purposes - chances are it's blocked solid at the rear of the alternator.

Yes mine was full of leaves when I removed it, now that reminds me, I made a mesh cover but never fitted it

 

[mwpe]

I had the same thing when I changed my water pump etc, had to take the rad out as I had sheared the drain plug and ended up wearing about 15 years worth of leaves and mud.