The Ford Barn

shoe box Jack · 07-17-2018, 11:03 AM

I understand if you drain the rad and fill it with pure vinegar and drive it for a few days drain it and do this 3 times that it will clean the rad??. thanks for any help. jack

tubman · 07-17-2018, 11:21 AM

It may or may not work. If the radiator is solid and just has some junk in it, it will probably help; If it's on it's last legs, probably not. It will also clean the block in the process. Whatever the case, since vinegar is still an acid, make sure you neutralize it when you're done (a baking soda flush). I have had good luck using "Rust-911" (an Evaporust-like product) on an engine that was in pretty good shape to start with. It's a lot more expensive than vinegar, though.

Just keep in mind that there really aren't any "miracle cures" out there for systems with serious problems.

shoe box Jack · 07-17-2018, 11:52 AM

thank you tubman how do you mix the baking soda flush. I know I'm looking at a band Aid fix. The 49 heats up in traffic but is fine on the go just trying to get the summer in, I'm going in for a knee replacement and not able to work on the car. Thanks again Jack.

tubman · 07-17-2018, 12:10 PM

I've never done it, so I'm probably not the one who should answer this, but I gotta think that a box of baking soda and fill it with water and run until warm should do it. I think it would be kinda hard to get too much baking soda in it. Perhaps someone who has done it will chime in.

rotorwrench · 07-17-2018, 01:00 PM

Glacial acetic acid or vinegar will break down some rust but not a lot for just a short period of time. You wouldn't want to put much stronger stuff in there for fear of damage to the pumps or radiator. Sometimes if you clean too well, it just opens up new leaks you didn't know you had.

A lot of problems are due to some sort of blockage in the system that reduces coolant flow. Rodding out the radiator will insure that it's working. If the block still has core wire or sand in it then there is no easy way you can get that out. That's usually done with the block out of the car and the engine torn down.

tubman · 07-17-2018, 02:23 PM

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It does sound like the O/P is looking for an easy fix that might help. I believe a vinegar treatment and ensuing baking soda flush just might provide the relief he is seeking given his situation. It's not at all expensive, and will give him something to do while waiting for his knee surgery.

07-17-2018, 11:03 AM	#1
shoe box Jack Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Kingston Ontario Canada Posts: 251	rad I understand if you drain the rad and fill it with pure vinegar and drive it for a few days drain it and do this 3 times that it will clean the rad??. thanks for any help. jack

07-17-2018, 11:21 AM	#2
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,304	Re: rad It may or may not work. If the radiator is solid and just has some junk in it, it will probably help; If it's on it's last legs, probably not. It will also clean the block in the process. Whatever the case, since vinegar is still an acid, make sure you neutralize it when you're done (a baking soda flush). I have had good luck using "Rust-911" (an Evaporust-like product) on an engine that was in pretty good shape to start with. It's a lot more expensive than vinegar, though. Just keep in mind that there really aren't any "miracle cures" out there for systems with serious problems.

07-17-2018, 11:52 AM	#3
shoe box Jack Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Kingston Ontario Canada Posts: 251	Re: rad thank you tubman how do you mix the baking soda flush. I know I'm looking at a band Aid fix. The 49 heats up in traffic but is fine on the go just trying to get the summer in, I'm going in for a knee replacement and not able to work on the car. Thanks again Jack.

07-17-2018, 12:10 PM	#4
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,304	Re: rad I've never done it, so I'm probably not the one who should answer this, but I gotta think that a box of baking soda and fill it with water and run until warm should do it. I think it would be kinda hard to get too much baking soda in it. Perhaps someone who has done it will chime in.

07-17-2018, 01:00 PM	#5
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,425	Re: rad Glacial acetic acid or vinegar will break down some rust but not a lot for just a short period of time. You wouldn't want to put much stronger stuff in there for fear of damage to the pumps or radiator. Sometimes if you clean too well, it just opens up new leaks you didn't know you had. A lot of problems are due to some sort of blockage in the system that reduces coolant flow. Rodding out the radiator will insure that it's working. If the block still has core wire or sand in it then there is no easy way you can get that out. That's usually done with the block out of the car and the engine torn down.

07-17-2018, 02:23 PM	#6
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,304	Re: rad Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) It does sound like the O/P is looking for an easy fix that might help. I believe a vinegar treatment and ensuing baking soda flush just might provide the relief he is seeking given his situation. It's not at all expensive, and will give him something to do while waiting for his knee surgery.