blake in spokane
Hot Rolled
- Joined
- Jan 11, 2008
- Location
- spokane
What is a good radiator & heater core flush? One time I heard CLR in a heater core, And it saved the guy from having to take off the fender to get to it.
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Hold it. There are aluminum radiator cores, brass radiator cores, aluminum engnes, cast iron engines, and every combination. Wanna shorten the cooling system's life or terminate it althogether? Use the wrong stuff to clean it. CLR is not a bad choice. It's active ingredient is phosphoric acid which is mild and metals friendly. But since it is acid and there are differing metals mutually grounded in a cooling ystem, even a mild acid can set up a galvanic couple. If allowed to sit too long (and how long is that?) your cooling system may preferentially corrode thus shortening its life or causing leaks.
These days you can just dump in a can of radiator cleaner. You have to use the right stuff for the metals in your cooling system. It never hurts to follow manufacturer's reccommendations; you know: read the directions.
If you are dealing with a bullet-proof old rig from the '60' and '70's the oxalic radiator flush will do the trick in most cases but be careful. Many a coolant system thus cleaned has ended with swiss cheese core plugs and leaking radiator tubes. Then it's Bars Leak forever.
Thing is, even old rigs have a finite life. 40 year old trucks may be greatly prized but rust will plug the lower tank and roomy passages in brass radiators. Sooner or later you WILL have to replace radiator and heater core, water pump, de-rust the engine, install new hoses, and who knows what to the other systems, electrical, brakes, fuel, etc. Nothing lasts forever. When old stuff is fixed right it will last for another 40 years. When it isn't, the owner is constantly patching and worrying. The message is: if the coolant system is plugged, it's most likely time for heroic remedes for most everything on the rig.
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