How to clean radiator & engine water jackets ?
 

Anyone know which is the best way to clean our radiator & engine water? I heard of using either "Washing Soda" or "Caustic Soda." Anyone have experience with these or know of a better chemical that wont damage the radiator but dissolve old buildup? Tks for looking, Jerbo

Re: How to clean radiator & engine water jackets ?
 

I haven't tried this yet but I plan to.
https://evapo-rust.com/thermocure/

Re: How to clean radiator & engine water jackets ?
 

I have used the evapo rust and it worked well. But be prepared to filter it and/or replace it often.

Mike

Re: How to clean radiator & engine water jackets ?
 

You mean, because it pulls a bunch of stuff out of the system and you have to go through several batches to get it all?

Re: How to clean radiator & engine water jackets ?
 

since i have not yet tried any products, i hope others can share their experiences with what works and does not damage the radiator in the cleaning out process, j

Re: How to clean radiator & engine water jackets ?
 

Thermo-cure made by evaporust works great. The inside upper tank of my radiator was covered in years of rust. After using thermocure it was clean brass, I imagine the inside of the block was cleaned to a similar level. I would not hesitate to recommend using it.

Re: How to clean radiator & engine water jackets ?
 

Check out overheating many threads and fixes it will make your head spin !

Re: How to clean radiator & engine water jackets ?
 

I would feel across the radiator core while it's running and if it's evenly warm and the engine doesn't overheat I'd leave it alone. I cleaned my original round tube radiator with CLR and it started leaking. First time in 35 years that I dumped stop leak in a cooling system. It worked and I learnt my lesson.

Re: How to clean radiator & engine water jackets ?
 

I had problems with overheating when going up a long hill. I have an original round tube radiator. I drained the water and refilled with white vinegar, drove for a couple of weeks and then drained and flushed with a solution of baking soda. Drained the soda water and filled with 50/50 water and Prestone.


Going up same hill (three miles to top), temp gauge now reads about 180* when I crest the hill.


This was a cheap fix that worked for me.

Re: How to clean radiator & engine water jackets ?
 

Second Thermocure mentioned in post #6. Several guys in our local club have used it with great success.

Jim

Re: How to clean radiator & engine water jackets ?
 

I used RUST 911. It dissolves rust and rust flakes in the radiator. It left my engine and radiator squeaky clean. Flush and fill with a mix of RUST 911 and leave it in for 24 hours. You can drive your car with the mix in it. While the RUST 911 is clear going in it was black coming out the first time. The second time it came out gray. After the 3rd application it came out clear and was saved for de-rusting other parts.
https://www.amazon.com/Rust911-16-ga...s%2C235&sr=8-2

Re: How to clean radiator & engine water jackets ?
 

First I flushed several times until I got clear water, then I put cleaning vinegar in it and drove it for several days, then drained it again and used evaporust in it and it came out really clean.

Re: How to clean radiator & engine water jackets ?
 

There is only one way to do that job properly and I doubt any of you guys have ever heard of it. Check out Liquid Intelligence radiator and block cleaner http://liquidintelligence.com.au/pro...m-cleaning-kit
My brother in law has just used it and I've seen the results. Unless I had seen it, I wouldn't have believed it. The pictures on their website are not doctored.
I have absolutely nothing to do with this company. Any prices quoted are in Australian dollars. One $A buys about US75c

Re: How to clean radiator & engine water jackets ?
 

I use RUST911 also with very good results. I buy it directly from the manufacturer.

rust911.com

It works the same as EVAPORUST but is a lot cheaper.

My experience,

Chris W.