Heavy duty diy radiator flushing?

[tonydgray]

Hi all, as from my other post you may have seen that I've had a bit of a cooling issue with my radiator. Initially it was a air lock that is now sorted but I can see that the water passages inside the rad are all bunged up with scale of some description. I've tried the holts 2 stage flush but it has not cleaned it out. I've also tried some rust removing solution that I was told may work but that has not worked either.

Has anyone got a tried and tested method for cleaning a rad out without taking it somewhere to have it done.

Many thanks

Tony

PS I've seen vinegar mentioned somewhere along with dish washer tablets and also central heating cleaner, any thoughts?

[guitarman]

Kettle descaler (nitric acid) will blitz any limescale. Beware, its nasty stuff though. It will also tell you if you have any leaks....
BTW- rust stabliser is basically phosphoric acid, not strong enough to remove limescale.

[weedeno belfast]

I wud use this as a last ditch atempt to clear it do not use it in the car will melt your water pump seals but if ya go to your local milk farm and ask nicely or ask to buy some take rad out and put it in will make it like new but watch doesn't eat any seals Damian

[arcturus]

In the long run you are better to bite the bullet and have it done professionaly and have it presure tested. However Citric acid from chemist as powder helps or check out this thread
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/s...ead.php?t=7462

[tonydgray]

Thanks to all who replied.

I've now tried two types of kettle descaler and it needs something stronger as although I did hear it fizzing a bit with multiple attempts its still far from free flowing.

I'm thinking of going the vinegar route next followed by the milking parlour...

What are your thoughts regarding the vinegar route?

Cheers

Tony

[arcturus]

Never tried it but vinagre contains acetic acid. I think there are two isues here. 1 the rad and 2 the cylinder block. They probably probably need their specific treatments. One for scale, and one for corrosion. I still think that you should have it done professionally

[Lesky]

The intake on my 164 was fouled up and it cleaned up really nice with mineral spirits. However, make sure your radiator has been rinsed with water several times before using spirits. You'll have to let it soak in the spirits over night or longer and perhaps a few different times.

[john h]

I would recommend getting the radiator re-cored to restore 'as new' cooling ability

[Computer Jones]

I recently tried Forté Coolant Flush which didn't seem to do that much, and vinegar while helped- but it's exposed two leaks which I suppose were clogged with rust before. Need a re-core now <:I

I considered buying some roughly-the-right-size aluminium radiator but I'd have had to fabricate brackets for it. An idea for the more handy, perhaps...

[heckflosse]

Originally Posted by tonydgray

Hi all, as from my other post you may have seen that I've had a bit of a cooling issue with my radiator. Initially it was a air lock that is now sorted but I can see that the water passages inside the rad are all bunged up with scale of some description. I've tried the holts 2 stage flush but it has not cleaned it out. I've also tried some rust removing solution that I was told may work but that has not worked either.

Has anyone got a tried and tested method for cleaning a rad out without taking it somewhere to have it done.

Many thanks

Tony

PS I've seen vinegar mentioned somewhere along with dish washer tablets and also central heating cleaner, any thoughts?

Tried Coca Cola once on a Ford heatermatrix, which did the trick.
A new rad is the real answer though.