Rad flush-recommendations?

[The AJP Griff]

It looks like i have a partially blocked rad ,i've given the makers(Docking) a call and they have a 5 week lead time to re-core it,but i need the car before then,so because i have little to lose,i guess i might as well try flushing it out in the meantime.Can anyone recommend a chemical treatment to dissolve the limescale or whatever deposits are in there?It's an all ali rad by the way.Cheers,Mike

[MattYorke]

I've successfully used dishwasher tablets before on a rad before.

[That Daddy]

MattYorke said:

I've successfully used dishwasher tablets before on a rad before.

Failing that take it out lay it flat and fill up with a well known soft drink Co*a Co*la leave for a couple of days agitating from time to time then flush out and see how you go.

Edited by That Daddy on Tuesday 29th July 18:27

[Jack_and_MLE]

or you can try cheap vinegar, leave it for a few days then rinse (chap option) or use kettle descaler

Jack

[Ramthorne]

Caustic soda, but don't go too mad!

[GavinPearson]

I would avoid caustic soda.

UThe key issue you face is that the radiator is a reflection of what is in the block and heads. So you need to treat the entire system.

Using Ferroquest for Aluminium is the best solution.

Once everything is clean, you must neutralise the system.

You realy should use a silicated OAT or HOAT coolant to best protect the aluminium in the engine.

[Howitzer]

ercedes sell a lemon cleaner of somesort in powder form I believe to descale engines and rads, might be worth popping in and speaking to the parts guy.

Dave!

[MattYorke]

Ideally, yeh. But in my experience of getting/keeping sheds running, you can still get effective cooling even if the block has a substantial amount of silt in.
The small passageways of a rad are far more prone to building up crud than the larger internal passageways of the block & heads.

Plus, with particular respect to my own experiments, if the rad's blocked I'm not afraid of ruining it if I dissolve it (cos it's already scrap)- but the motor is generally not sacficial.

GavinPearson said:

UThe key issue you face is that the radiator is a reflection of what is in the block and heads. So you need to treat the entire system.

[Pigeon]

Ramthorne said:

Caustic soda, but don't go too mad!

Not if it's ally! Caustic eats ally. You'll have plenty of hydrogen, but no rad.

[That Daddy]

Pigeon said:

Ramthorne said:

Caustic soda, but don't go too mad!

Not if it's ally! Caustic eats ally. You'll have plenty of hydrogen, but no rad.

And with great vigor