4 quart system and citric acid usage
- Thread starter dlundblad
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Why are you flushing with anything besides distilled water?
If you have this many deposits in the system flushing could break them loose and cause clogs.
Why are you flushing with anything besides distilled water?
If you have this many deposits in the system flushing could break them loose and cause clogs.
Why are you going mad scientist trying some homebrew concoction when there are plenty of commercially made and thoroughly tested flushing products?
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Citric acid is available at Walmart and is used for canning tomatoes. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Ball-Bulk-Citric-Acid-14-8-oz-Bottle/810055182 You can also buy it at Farm/Fleet stores; it is commonly used for cleaning of livestock watering lines.
Distilled water has no cleaning effect. I have used 4-6 oz of Citric acid per gallon of distilled water and ran the car on a fast idle long enough to fully warm the engine and then another 20 minutes or so just to be BITOG OCD about it. Common sense tells me that the water pump impeller will physically break/crush broken/loose deposits down into small enough pieces that they will come out without clogging anything.
I got into Harry Carry mode and broke the lower radiator hose loose to drain the system just to assure myself that no "large" deposits would "plug" the pinhole sized opening on my radiator petcock. I also disconnected my heater hoses, used HOT distilled water, citric acid, a plastic garden pump bug sprayer and a few feet of clear tubing from hardware store along with a few clamps and back flushed my heater core until it came out clear. My heater and my coolant reservoir on a 16 year old Buick look and work like new; and this system was "resurrected" from a former neglectful owner.
Distilled water has no cleaning effect. I have used 4-6 oz of Citric acid per gallon of distilled water and ran the car on a fast idle long enough to fully warm the engine and then another 20 minutes or so just to be BITOG OCD about it. Common sense tells me that the water pump impeller will physically break/crush broken/loose deposits down into small enough pieces that they will come out without clogging anything.
I got into Harry Carry mode and broke the lower radiator hose loose to drain the system just to assure myself that no "large" deposits would "plug" the pinhole sized opening on my radiator petcock. I also disconnected my heater hoses, used HOT distilled water, citric acid, a plastic garden pump bug sprayer and a few feet of clear tubing from hardware store along with a few clamps and back flushed my heater core until it came out clear. My heater and my coolant reservoir on a 16 year old Buick look and work like new; and this system was "resurrected" from a former neglectful owner.
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Originally Posted by atikovi
Why are you going mad scientist trying some homebrew concoction when there are plenty of commercially made and thoroughly tested flushing products?
Sir, you can call it what you wish....I have personally used most of the "commercially available" stuff and they don't work as well. Do a google search for bobistheoilguycitricacidflush and you'll find it is common practice and effective:
https://www.bobistheoilguy.com/foru...30728/all/Another_successful_Citric_Acid
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/4800296/mercedes-benz-citric-acid-flush
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/4242734/Flushing_a_neglected_cooling_s
Removing the thermostat is a good idea. Trav, Doublewasp, and JHZR2 (Moderator) recommend mad scientist home brew concoction Citric Acid. 'nuff said.
PS Merry Christmas!
Why are you going mad scientist trying some homebrew concoction when there are plenty of commercially made and thoroughly tested flushing products?
Sir, you can call it what you wish....I have personally used most of the "commercially available" stuff and they don't work as well. Do a google search for bobistheoilguycitricacidflush and you'll find it is common practice and effective:
https://www.bobistheoilguy.com/foru...30728/all/Another_successful_Citric_Acid
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/4800296/mercedes-benz-citric-acid-flush
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/4242734/Flushing_a_neglected_cooling_s
Removing the thermostat is a good idea. Trav, Doublewasp, and JHZR2 (Moderator) recommend mad scientist home brew concoction Citric Acid. 'nuff said.
PS Merry Christmas!
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Originally Posted by dlundblad
Say I have a 4 quart cooling system. How much food grade citric acid should I use for a flush?
Thanks and Merry Christmas everyone.
1 pound per gallon will work nicely. Cirtic acid is very safe and does a great job, it is also recommended by Mercedes who sell a MB branded package of it at the dealers parts dept.
Its the same stuff you get in the store or off Amazon only at a much higher price.
Say I have a 4 quart cooling system. How much food grade citric acid should I use for a flush?
Thanks and Merry Christmas everyone.
1 pound per gallon will work nicely. Cirtic acid is very safe and does a great job, it is also recommended by Mercedes who sell a MB branded package of it at the dealers parts dept.
Its the same stuff you get in the store or off Amazon only at a much higher price.
Originally Posted by danez_yoda
0%
Why are you flushing with anything besides distilled water?
If you have this many deposits in the system flushing could break them loose and cause clogs.
I'm taking this to mean your suggestion is to do nothing?
0%
Why are you flushing with anything besides distilled water?
If you have this many deposits in the system flushing could break them loose and cause clogs.
I'm taking this to mean your suggestion is to do nothing?
Originally Posted by atikovi
Why are you going mad scientist trying some homebrew concoction when there are plenty of commercially made and thoroughly tested flushing products?
Commercial made products such as the Mercedes Benz citric acid flush? Lol.
The first 2 responses are quite comical.
Why are you going mad scientist trying some homebrew concoction when there are plenty of commercially made and thoroughly tested flushing products?
Commercial made products such as the Mercedes Benz citric acid flush? Lol.
The first 2 responses are quite comical.
Originally Posted by Trav
1 pound per gallon will work nicely. Cirtic acid is very safe and does a great job, it is also recommended by Mercedes who sell a MB branded package of it at the dealers parts dept.
Its the same stuff you get in the store or off Amazon only at a much higher price.
Thanks. Just what I wanted to hear.
I had been using 1 lb for a 16 quart system before so I guess that wasn't enough. Lol.
1 pound per gallon will work nicely. Cirtic acid is very safe and does a great job, it is also recommended by Mercedes who sell a MB branded package of it at the dealers parts dept.
Its the same stuff you get in the store or off Amazon only at a much higher price.
Thanks. Just what I wanted to hear.
I had been using 1 lb for a 16 quart system before so I guess that wasn't enough. Lol.
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Good info, thanks!
Originally Posted by dlundblad
Originally Posted by Trav
1 pound per gallon will work nicely. Cirtic acid is very safe and does a great job, it is also recommended by Mercedes who sell a MB branded package of it at the dealers parts dept.
Its the same stuff you get in the store or off Amazon only at a much higher price.
Thanks. Just what I wanted to hear.
I had been using 1 lb for a 16 quart system before so I guess that wasn't enough. Lol.
My mistake 1 pound per 2 gallons, sorry about that. 2lb is needed for a 16 qt system
Originally Posted by Trav
1 pound per gallon will work nicely. Cirtic acid is very safe and does a great job, it is also recommended by Mercedes who sell a MB branded package of it at the dealers parts dept.
Its the same stuff you get in the store or off Amazon only at a much higher price.
Thanks. Just what I wanted to hear.
I had been using 1 lb for a 16 quart system before so I guess that wasn't enough. Lol.
My mistake 1 pound per 2 gallons, sorry about that. 2lb is needed for a 16 qt system
Originally Posted by Trav
Originally Posted by dlundblad
Originally Posted by Trav
1 pound per gallon will work nicely. Cirtic acid is very safe and does a great job, it is also recommended by Mercedes who sell a MB branded package of it at the dealers parts dept.
Its the same stuff you get in the store or off Amazon only at a much higher price.
Thanks. Just what I wanted to hear.
I had been using 1 lb for a 16 quart system before so I guess that wasn't enough. Lol.
My mistake 1 pound per 2 gallons, sorry about that. 2lb is needed for a 16 qt system
That makes sense. I've seen quite the improvement with just the 1 lb in my blazer.
I'll give the .5 lb a run and will post photos hopefully. The system is pretty neglected.
Originally Posted by dlundblad
Originally Posted by Trav
1 pound per gallon will work nicely. Cirtic acid is very safe and does a great job, it is also recommended by Mercedes who sell a MB branded package of it at the dealers parts dept.
Its the same stuff you get in the store or off Amazon only at a much higher price.
Thanks. Just what I wanted to hear.
I had been using 1 lb for a 16 quart system before so I guess that wasn't enough. Lol.
My mistake 1 pound per 2 gallons, sorry about that. 2lb is needed for a 16 qt system
That makes sense. I've seen quite the improvement with just the 1 lb in my blazer.
I'll give the .5 lb a run and will post photos hopefully. The system is pretty neglected.
So do you make up this mix and add it then drive it for a few days?? Then get it out and add your favorite antifreeze or is this a one day thing.
Originally Posted by R1jake
So do you make up this mix and add it then drive it for a few days?? Then get it out and add your favorite antifreeze or is this a one day thing.
I always drain the coolant refill with tap water mixed with this stuff. Let it idle for 20 mins or so, allow to cool, drain, refill with water for an additional rinse, run until the thermostat opens, allow to cool and refill with coolant of your choice.
You want to drain the radiator and engine block.
So do you make up this mix and add it then drive it for a few days?? Then get it out and add your favorite antifreeze or is this a one day thing.
I always drain the coolant refill with tap water mixed with this stuff. Let it idle for 20 mins or so, allow to cool, drain, refill with water for an additional rinse, run until the thermostat opens, allow to cool and refill with coolant of your choice.
You want to drain the radiator and engine block.
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