Dawn detergent in radiator
 

Good morning,
This is a picky question but many have suggested using Dawn to clean out the radiator. How much is recommended? two ounces - six ounces???
Thanks for your advice
Al

Re: Dawn detergent in radiator
 

You'll have bubbles, like when Lawerence Welk comes on! Use powdered T.S.P. or dishwasher soap.
Bill Clean

Re: Dawn detergent in radiator
 

I used one cup of Cascade, then drove the car for a few days, then flushed it out.

Re: Dawn detergent in radiator
 

I agree with Tom.
Leave the "Bubble Machine" for the Kids!!!

Re: Dawn detergent in radiator
 

OK thanks Gents, one cup of Cascade it is.

Re: Dawn detergent in radiator
 

I use Simple Green, 4-6 Oz. Drive it long enough to enable it to work. 1/2 hour minimum.

Re: Dawn detergent in radiator
 

And to ask a dumb question, what is the purpose of this, to get grease out of the cooling system?

Re: Dawn detergent in radiator
 

Yes, it should dissolve the grease, which coats the cooler parts. Since the tanks and tubes are cooler than the hot antifreeze running through them, the grease will settle on them. The Cascade will dissolve the grease and hopefully carry it out with the drain and rinse.

Re: Dawn detergent in radiator
 

Be careful using any kind of soap in your radiator, IF the Model A is an early oval window Coupe. Or you will wind up with a Soap Opera Coupe.

May decrease the value:eek:.......... As the crank turns, so do the Days of Our Lives

Re: Dawn detergent in radiator
 

I would use evaporust but yes it costs a few more dollars then dish soap..

Re: Dawn detergent in radiator
 

Commercially available cooling system cleaners are VERY alkaline. That dissolves grease - well, that's the theory but I'm not convinced they do a good job. I've used detergent also and not too impressed. Clearing out grease seems to be more difficult than simply adding this or that to the cooling system but what else can we do short of taking the radiator apart?:confused:

Re: Dawn detergent in radiator
 

TSP is a lot better than Cascade dishwasher soap in cleaning the Model A Ford cooling system because TSP breaks down the mineral build up, cuts the grease, is non foaming, and it has a high ph of 10 or so to prevent damage to the head gasket, etc.. TSP helps prevents oxidation (rust), and when you drain your radiator after a day's run, the stew that comes out will contain a lot of the former hardened mineral deposits and sediment. A good rinse with a garden hose after a days running with TSP will help chase a lot more dirt out of the drain hole. You might want to take the lower radiator hose off to really rinse the crud out of the system that TSP broke loose. Put only just a handful down your radiator neck to properly treat the cooling system. We have boilers in our Stanley steam cars and while we are running them (15 gallon capacity) all a day, I put a handful of TSP into their feed water. When we shut them down in the evening, we blow down the boilers of all their water, mineral deposits and TSP. Where we had driven during the day with the various sources of water, our water sources are indicated in the minerals that come out during the blow down. I can tell the ph (acid) level in my water by how the blow down water feels between my thumb and index finger. Low ph (bad) would be lots of traction between my digits, a soapy feel would be a high ph level (safe). You can also taste the water and determine the ph level. Tart taste would be a low ph (high acid) level, and sweet taste would be a high ph (low acid level). Be careful in tasting antifreeze as that is poison in high enough doses. TSP can be purchased at most any hardware store, and at larger supermarkets. Running with a few tablespoons of TSP permanently in your radiator makes good sense, especially in areas that have a low ph in their water supply.

Re: Dawn detergent in radiator
 

Jeff/Illinois, LMAO, Love the soap opera coupe reference! :)
As a word of caution to everyone, be extremely carefull when working around the antenna of the family mini-van. If you scratch yourself on it, you risk the possibility of a "van-areial disease". ;). Jeff

Re: Dawn detergent in radiator
 

I am a do it myself kine of person, but if there is a chance it will leave me by the side of the road, I'll seek out a pro. What's the downside of seeking out a radiator shop and having it done right?

Re: Dawn detergent in radiator
 

I just dropped my radiator at a radiator shop for acid dip and pressure test..
good idea or bad?????

Re: Dawn detergent in radiator
 

I thought about this subject some time ago but being not even a 'novice', I said to meself, don't be stupid, don't ask such a stupid question, don't let anyone know that you're so stupid. Come to find out after reading this thread, I could have a Masters Degree in Auto Repair if I didn't think I was so stupid!!!!!! :D:D:D:D

Re: Dawn detergent in radiator
 

If a person isn't as smart as he should be, is he smart enough to know that? :confused:

I've heard that I need to be sure I buy the REAL TSP, as there is some fake stuff and it's still called TSP. I bought mine at Home Depot, and it's the real stuff.

Re: Dawn detergent in radiator
 

Not a big fan of pressure testing a radiator that isn't pressurized. More than a lb. or two will probably make it scrap.

Re: Dawn detergent in radiator
 

thanks 1crosscut i wasn't for sure and was told just that by a friend but i often forget more than i remember..ill call in morning and hope they know better than I..

Re: Dawn detergent in radiator
 

My granddad was a smart man, I said to him one day, I said, "Grandad, will I be as smart as you?" Sure!!! you just need to take some smart pills like I did when I was your age. Smart Pills!!!!!! Sure!!! I get you some. The next day he gave them to me, I popped on in my mouth and said damn!!! that taste like shit!!! See!!! he said, you knew all along what sheep shit taste like, you're just as smart as me now!!! :D:D:D:D