Suggestions on cleaning my coolant reservoir tank?

[Ed_Flecko]

I'm going to be changing my coolant, and to be thorough I'm planning on cleaning my coolant reservoir as well.

I'm thinking I'll just spray it down well with Simple Green Industrial Cleaner & Degreaser (http://industrial.simplegreen.com/ind_products_all_purpose.php), give it a good scrub and flush and call it good!

Does anyone see any problems with this method or have a different suggestion(s)?

Ed

 

[dlundblad]

Are we talking dex cool sludge?

Remove the tank, fill it with warm water with cleaner and lots of BB's and/ or small nuts, bolts etc. and give it the death shake.

 

[BigD1]

Crushed ice and powdered washing powder combination will do some scrubbing of the tank if you can't get a brush in there.

 

[Ed_Flecko]

Originally Posted By: dlundblad
Are we talking dex cool sludge?

Remove the tank, fill it with warm water with cleaner and lots of BB's and/ or small nuts, bolts etc. and give it the death shake.


I don't *think* I have any sludge in my tank, but then I haven't removed it yet either!

I'm just trying to get it squeaky clean before refilling in with new coolant.

Ed

 

[KingCake]

Pull it out. Put some simple green in. Put in a ~8" length of small link chain and shake the [censored] out of it.

 

[bullwinkle]

Crushed ice mixed with CLR-the CLR will break down the hard water deposits, & the crushed ice will scrub them out!

 

[Michael_P]

Coffee grounds. It cleans awesome. Even if you had a badly blown head gasket.

 

[901Memphis]

Check out how much it is to replace it. They are sometimes cheap and easier than fooling with the mess depending on your model

 

[Merkava_4]

I have the perfect solution - and I've successfully done it myself - but you'd never go for it.

 

[Noey]

Get yourself a cheap steam cleaner on Amazon and steam the inside to loosen the crude, then stick a rag and move it around with a bent hanger or long screw driver. Leave the coffee in the kitchen, the bolts in the garage and do it correctly....without damaging the inside of the reservoir. And, you'll find lots of other uses for the steamer when you're done.

 

[Merkava_4]

If you follow my simple instructions, you will have a like new, bright translucent white, reservoir.

1. Pour 2-3 cups of water softener salt (extra coarse, not the pellets) into the reservoir.

2. Add just enough water to make the salt slushy so that it will slide around. Not too much water.

3. Cue in KC & the Sunshine Band music : "shake shake shake . . . shake shake shake . . . shake your booty reservoir . . . shake your booty reservoir!"

4. Rinse and repeat if necessary.

 

[Kira]

I've used a sand-water-soap slurry.

I had the BEST results from a swimming pool cleaner which was said to contain an acid. It was the last bit my friend had.
Alas, the label had long fallen off the gallon jug. Kira

 

[Doog]

Simple green and dishwasher

 

[DB_Cooper]

You can get a new coolant reservoir part number 164700C011 for a 2004 Tacoma off the BAY for $21 to $24 shipped. I have tossed out old cruddy coolant tanks rather than fuss around cleaning them when they are that cheap. Engine area looks better with a new coolant tank too.

 

[CincyDavid]

I'm pondering the same thing on my 97 Volvo...a bright new white overflow tank looks SO much better than a grungy old yellowed one. It's just a DD but little details like that make me feel better about the car...makes it more of a nice old car, and less of a hooptie. I actually got a wave and thumbs-up from another Volvo wagon driver yesterday...it was cool.

 

[3311]

Originally Posted By: 901Memphis
Check out how much it is to replace it. They are sometimes cheap and easier than fooling with the mess depending on your model


This!! I replace the ones on my 04 and 06 trucks when they became discolored/ hard to see thru. They were $35. A simple overflow bottle should alot cheaper.

 

[DoubleWasp]

Kira's pool cleaner, or Memphis' suggestion to just replace it.

Anything else is a massive waste of time, money, and energy.