This past month, I started to see 4 bars on the water temp gauge. At first, I thought it was time to replace the coolant, but I had my doubts 'cause the car's barely 2-year-old with just over 30K miles. So, today, I decided to inspect the car a little more thoroughly and found the front of the radiator covered with hardened mud and lots of tiny bugs, wedged between the radiator fins so deeply that I don't think there's a way to get them out.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to clean it? Or maybe it's covered under warranty and the dealer can replace the radiator for free?

Thanks.

 

You won't get the radiator replaced because it's dirty, that's just silly. Just be careful and use a hose and maybe a soft brush and make sure not to damage the fins.

 

Just an FYI, it is not the radiator sitting inside the opening of the front bumper. That is the AC condenser which the radiator sits behind.