I just bought this truck 2 weeks ago and when i was at the dealership i noticed this in the condenser. Can somebody tell me what i can do to fix it? It looked like a bird may have hit it or something. Its pretty noticeable through the grill. Think i could use spray paint? Thanks.

 

You need a radiator fin comb:



I'd say take it to a local HVAC shop... it doesn't need to be automotive either... a place that has HVAC techs. They can fix it for you in 2 minutes or less.

 

Just what i need, thanks.

 

and FYI that is your condenser not your radiator, radiator is just behind the condenser

 

Thanks for the correction. Still new to trucks.

 

How did that bird get through the little honeycomb in your grill, or don't you have one? And you need to be really careful if you comb that condenser. ALL condensers are as thin as tissue paper anymore!

 

I didn't even know they made a such tool. I always took a flat feeler gauge and tried to straighten the fins. I need to get one of those, with all the farm machinery around here I've always got bent condenser fins.

 

I have no idea how it got through the grille. It may have not been a bird, but I couldn't think what else could of happened to it. Any suggestions?

 

That looks like damage from a pressure washer. It's a common problem.

 

Would you recommend the radiator fin comb?

 

In the title of the post he says " Radiator Damage" but in his description of the problem he does call it his condenser.

 

Almost anything you could imagine might have caused that...including a bird.

I never heard of that tool either. I always a small paring knife to straighten those fins on my vehicles and house AC. Just take your time and be gentle.

 

Wow those fins are fragile, managed to just use a small flat-head screwdriver and it came out looking pretty good.
Before:

After:


Thanks to everyone that helped!

 

I do have to agree with Manual, the pattern does look like a pressure washer, but they would have to be pretty close. They couldn't have done that damage through the grille. I use a pressure washer all the time and have cut the back of my hand (accidently) twice with it, but the pressure dissipates RAPIDLY with distance. The pattern IS what a pressure washer would make.

 

I've done it accidently to mine. Usually car wash bays don't have a strong enough pressure to do that. It's from regular gas powered pressure washers.

Also if you look at the pattern of the fins, notice the well pronounced L shape... it was for sure a pressure washer.