Radiator rust inhibitor

[Nlbloch]

Each spring I use a rust inhibitor/cleaner in the radiator. I am wondering if it is harmful to leave this chemical in the radiator all summer, or if it should be flushed out and replaced.

Replaced with what? plain water? A mix of anti-freeze? Fresh inhibitor? Something else?

Thanks!

[wga]

Drive around a few miles and drain it. Refill with 50 50 anti freeze and you're good. If you are in a warm climate and it does not freeze, you could use water and water wetter.
Just be sure you flush out the cleaner from the block and the radiator

[Jim/GA]

Originally Posted by Nlbloch

Each spring I use a rust inhibitor/cleaner in the radiator. I am wondering if it is harmful to leave this chemical in the radiator all summer, or if it should be flushed out and replaced.

Replaced with what? plain water? A mix of anti-freeze? Fresh inhibitor? Something else?

Thanks!

It sounds like you are naming 2 different radiator additives and combining the names.

There is a radiator FLUSH that it is a good idea to use every spring, to clean the cooling system. It won't get too dirty in 12 months, so running the flush for a few hours driving around is good enough. Then drain it.

There is also a RUST INHIBITOR (and water pump lubricant) additive that you can put in and leave in all year around. I do that. You must add this if you use plain water (summer only) and it is optional to add to a 50/50 mixture of water and anti-freeze (which already has some rust inhibitor in it).

Don't leave the flush in for more than a few days.

[Phil Brown]

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Things rust in the summer too
I would leave it in year round, but also flush the system and refill with fresh every year or two to keep things fresh