The Ford Barn

rogerkb1936 · 12-09-2012, 08:47 PM

i removed the top of radiator and found it nearly totally plugged with grease., other wise fine. i rodded it out carefully and got the bulk out. but of course there is more still sticking to tubes. soooo, what is the best cleaner to remove the residue? thanx, roger

Tom Wesenberg · 12-09-2012, 08:55 PM

I've heard Cascade is good to use. I'd probably use gasoline.

To rod it out you'd have to have the radiator off and the tank or tanks removed. Seems like it should be clean after this.

Barry B./ Ma. · 12-10-2012, 07:58 AM

I used Lestoil in mine, it is oil based and does a good job disolving grease. I ran a bottle in the radiator for a couple days then flushed it with water.

pat in Santa Cruz · 12-10-2012, 09:51 AM

I have also heard Cascade has satisfied several owners, though I have not tried it. I have used TSP tri sodium phosphate (the real TSP, not the substitute that seems to be more common) and it worked well.

Keith True · 12-10-2012, 10:42 AM

I use lestoil in the A's for the most part.I just put a reman engine for a fellow,he had a greasy radiator so I poured in some simple green.After a week the inside of everything looked spotless.The grease broke down enough to be held in suspension,it all went out through the petcock.When I worked on Macks we used cascade when we had an oil cooler failure.I worked on Cummins at another place,they used okite in them.They also used it to clean the floors there.The lestoil always left a smell behind me as I drove,I didn't care,it was behind me.It made a lather,the simple green didn't.That was my first try with that stuff.

Jim Brierley · 12-10-2012, 01:27 PM

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I use about a cup of Simple Green, run it for a few miles, drain and repeat if necessary. The grease likely came from lubing the water pump. You may need to do this once a years of so?

12-09-2012, 08:47 PM	#1
rogerkb1936 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 852	grease in radiator i removed the top of radiator and found it nearly totally plugged with grease., other wise fine. i rodded it out carefully and got the bulk out. but of course there is more still sticking to tubes. soooo, what is the best cleaner to remove the residue? thanx, roger

12-09-2012, 08:55 PM	#2
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: grease in radiator I've heard Cascade is good to use. I'd probably use gasoline. To rod it out you'd have to have the radiator off and the tank or tanks removed. Seems like it should be clean after this.

12-10-2012, 07:58 AM	#3
Barry B./ Ma. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southbridge, Ma. Posts: 1,614	Re: grease in radiator I used Lestoil in mine, it is oil based and does a good job disolving grease. I ran a bottle in the radiator for a couple days then flushed it with water.

12-10-2012, 09:51 AM	#4
pat in Santa Cruz Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: santa cruz, calif Posts: 2,011	Re: grease in radiator I have also heard Cascade has satisfied several owners, though I have not tried it. I have used TSP tri sodium phosphate (the real TSP, not the substitute that seems to be more common) and it worked well.

12-10-2012, 10:42 AM	#5
Keith True Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Epping N.H. Posts: 3,421	Re: grease in radiator I use lestoil in the A's for the most part.I just put a reman engine for a fellow,he had a greasy radiator so I poured in some simple green.After a week the inside of everything looked spotless.The grease broke down enough to be held in suspension,it all went out through the petcock.When I worked on Macks we used cascade when we had an oil cooler failure.I worked on Cummins at another place,they used okite in them.They also used it to clean the floors there.The lestoil always left a smell behind me as I drove,I didn't care,it was behind me.It made a lather,the simple green didn't.That was my first try with that stuff.

12-10-2012, 01:27 PM	#6
Jim Brierley Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Temecula, CA Posts: 4,251	Re: grease in radiator Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I use about a cup of Simple Green, run it for a few miles, drain and repeat if necessary. The grease likely came from lubing the water pump. You may need to do this once a years of so?