I made a thread awhile back about chemical flushes, and didn't get much of a consensus. My truck needs a cooling system overhaul which will probably include a new radiator & water pump as well. What I need to know though, is how do I clean the block? How do I get what looks like oily, nasty coolant out of the block? I have a feeling at some point in this trucks life DexCool and green got mixed, but I can't confirm. It leaks a little bit of coolant and I have to top it off every few weeks. It's NOT burning coolant, it's just leaking it. Any ideas?
How to clean cooling system?
- Thread starter KenO
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Some tsp phosphates or fords coolant flush would be solid products if a clean out before doing all that coolant work is what your looking for.
At work. If we have a truck/car with oil in the cooling system from a blown headgasket. Oilcooler or kompressor. We use dishwasher taps. Absorbed in hot water. Fill it on and drivwa the engine hot. Rwmember to flush with clean water 2-3 times after.
I came up with a nifty flush when my saturn had oil from a former cracked head that I had to get out.
I undid the 5/16" de-aerator hose that leads from the water outlet to the pressure tank, and directed it to a bucket. On the pressure tank, I attached 3 feet of hose to the nipple there and stuffed a funnel in, like an IV.
I started it up, let the water pump pump the "old" stuff out the hose into a container while I filled the surge tank with water with my "IV".
This had the benefit of getting the "floaty" stuff (oil on top of water) out a way it otherwise wouldn't have gone.
My thermostat was bad so the whole system circulated, but this would be good for getting engine-side of thermostat messes out. Rad drains sometimes don't get much of this-- block drains of course would.
I undid the 5/16" de-aerator hose that leads from the water outlet to the pressure tank, and directed it to a bucket. On the pressure tank, I attached 3 feet of hose to the nipple there and stuffed a funnel in, like an IV.
I started it up, let the water pump pump the "old" stuff out the hose into a container while I filled the surge tank with water with my "IV".
This had the benefit of getting the "floaty" stuff (oil on top of water) out a way it otherwise wouldn't have gone.
My thermostat was bad so the whole system circulated, but this would be good for getting engine-side of thermostat messes out. Rad drains sometimes don't get much of this-- block drains of course would.
Thanks guys. I'll try the dishsoap method, will just pull the t-stay and monitor temp closely.
Try draining the coolant, refilling with H20 and then heating to temperature and drain. Prestone or Peak makes coolant flushes so I'd try one of those and and fill with water and run/drain and then flush again with water. If your radiator isn't damaged and plugged I'd try a seal with fresh coolant and go for it.
Originally Posted By: The_Eric
Originally Posted By: KenO
Thanks guys. I'll try the dishsoap method, will just pull the t-stay and monitor temp closely.
Don't use dish soap. Use dishwasher soap... No suds.
Ahh, got it. Thanks!
Originally Posted By: KenO
Thanks guys. I'll try the dishsoap method, will just pull the t-stay and monitor temp closely.
Don't use dish soap. Use dishwasher soap... No suds.
Ahh, got it. Thanks!
The best stuff is the dishwashing detergent that still has phosphates in it like cascade that is used in the food industry. The more phosphates the better for cleaning up the mess.
I hear the store bought cascade has only a little amount in them now.
I hear the store bought cascade has only a little amount in them now.
Heres the stuff you want. Its kinda expensive, but will last a long time.
http://compare.ebay.com/like/200703541329?var=lv<yp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar
http://compare.ebay.com/like/200703541329?var=lv<yp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar
Originally Posted By: 901Memphis
The best stuff is the dishwashing detergent that still has phosphates in it like cascade that is used in the food industry. The more phosphates the better for cleaning up the mess.
I hear the store bought cascade has only a little amount in them now.
+1 It is an old trick that diesel mechanics would use. I use it when I flush my coolant. Works wonders
The best stuff is the dishwashing detergent that still has phosphates in it like cascade that is used in the food industry. The more phosphates the better for cleaning up the mess.
I hear the store bought cascade has only a little amount in them now.
+1 It is an old trick that diesel mechanics would use. I use it when I flush my coolant. Works wonders
How do you go about using Cascade? Are there any others brand to use?
1qt RMI-25. Pour 1/2 qt in the expansion tank and drive around for a month. Then perform a radiator drain and fill adding the other 1/2 qt. Clean and refill the expansion tank a couple of times after that as RMI-25 burps any remaining junk into the tank. Done.
Originally Posted By: DarylZero
I have heard of using distilled vinegar, don't know if it's good or not.
Vinegar is fine on salads or for food. Cascade is all our fleet ever used to clean out cooling systems, both gas and diesel. I also worked for a Mack dealership and they also used Cascade. Can't beat it!
I have heard of using distilled vinegar, don't know if it's good or not.
Vinegar is fine on salads or for food. Cascade is all our fleet ever used to clean out cooling systems, both gas and diesel. I also worked for a Mack dealership and they also used Cascade. Can't beat it!
Originally Posted By: BobS
Originally Posted By: DarylZero
I have heard of using distilled vinegar, don't know if it's good or not.
Vinegar is fine on salads or for food. Cascade is all our fleet ever used to clean out cooling systems, both gas and diesel. I also worked for a Mack dealership and they also used Cascade. Can't beat it!
Did you guys have a specific amount of detergent used per gallon of cooling capacity or just pour by gut feeling?
Originally Posted By: DarylZero
I have heard of using distilled vinegar, don't know if it's good or not.
Vinegar is fine on salads or for food. Cascade is all our fleet ever used to clean out cooling systems, both gas and diesel. I also worked for a Mack dealership and they also used Cascade. Can't beat it!
Did you guys have a specific amount of detergent used per gallon of cooling capacity or just pour by gut feeling?
I've heard of people even using CLR (calcium lime rust...) sold in the plumbing or household chemical aisle at walmart........
Drain the rad, dump in the CLR bottle, top off with water, run for a couple days, drain, then refill with water, run a day or 2, drain, more water.......etc....to rinse the CLR out.. no idea what's in CLR compared to the "over the counter" parts store flushes, but willing to bet it'll pack a bigger punch......someone told me Prestone is some sort of "acid"......which brings us to the vinegar suggestion too....it's also used in my bathroom to clean up water spots, etc...so what better than in the rad?
Drain the rad, dump in the CLR bottle, top off with water, run for a couple days, drain, then refill with water, run a day or 2, drain, more water.......etc....to rinse the CLR out.. no idea what's in CLR compared to the "over the counter" parts store flushes, but willing to bet it'll pack a bigger punch......someone told me Prestone is some sort of "acid"......which brings us to the vinegar suggestion too....it's also used in my bathroom to clean up water spots, etc...so what better than in the rad?
At one time you could get oxalic acid as radiator cleaner followed by a neutralizer, but that was back in the 1970s. It worked, though. My dad used it on a 1971 Toyota Corolla and it certainly worked well.
I recently did preventative maintenance on my Tacoma. Drained radiator, both block drains (V6), refilled with distilled water with about 1/4 cup powdered TSP dissolved - Tri Sodium Phosphate, the real stuff not the phosphate free you see most of the time. Got a box of it on Amazon. Ran it till hot with heater on, used clear hoses on all 3 drains and drained into gallon milk jugs so I could see the color. Took about 3 drain/fills till I was satisfied it was clear then refilled with Toyota SLLC and all is well. There was a little casting crud and what looked like black sealer bits (just a few). Also rinsed out overflow on the fan shroud and still clear of debris. TSP is easy on seals & water pump, Toyota V6 water pumps don't have the best reputation. Be sure to rinse well.
I got my $25 box of Cascade with phosphates.... How much of this stuff should I use when it's time??
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