How to De-Clogg a cooling system of Doom?
 

Hi, so’s I have a 1983 GMC Sierra Classic 2500 that’s been sitting for over a year that I’m in the process of getting started. There’s a whole list of fun things that I gotta take care of first, but here’s what I’m working on now.
How does one de-clog a cooling system on a non-running engine? Flush the piss outta it with a flushing compound, cold, with a hose and maybe Lime-A-Way? Make my own Hot Tank solution out of caustic soda and dunk & boil the radiator for a day? The ‘Ol battery charger hooked up to a metal rod in a plastic container full of water and the radiator Shtick? Any thoughts? Mostly I just don’t want to pay a dime for any thing when doing it yourself is so much more of the way things should be done. Sometimes. That and I’m broke! Yes? No? :smoke:

P.s.; I'll post picture's soon, Think: ''Brown Barnicals" & "Thermostat Clog":pty:

Re: How to De-Clogg a cooling system of Doom?
 

I don't know but I love the title :haha: and welcome!

Re: How to De-Clogg a cooling system of Doom?
 

well i had bought my SIL a 95 blazer that was like that and we wound up changing the radiator and the guy at the shop was doing a cold flush with some kind of store bought flush and its been ok since although we did reflush after a couple of months... if its that bad you can couont on either the radiator or the core or both needing replacements

Re: How to De-Clogg a cooling system of Doom?
 

Stay with flushing with a hose until you get a clear stream from the rad outlet. I'd put emphasis on getting the engine running and then check for a sound radiator and heater core. This way you'll save unnecessary time and effort on a worthless system. If you think the block is badly clogged, pull the H20 pump and T-stadt and flush with water. Once you get the engine running, fill with water and run it for a few miles and flush. Do this a couple of times and ensure no leaks prior to filling with coolant.

Re: How to De-Clogg a cooling system of Doom?
 

Awesome. Thanks for the advice Dan, that sounds like what I was really thinking. I took out the water pump today and did just a flush on everything with the hose till it ran clear. Since everything was off I cleaned all the gunk off the front, and now I can't stop cleaning! But yes, plenty to worry about before I go ape-**** on the little things. Next is a tango with a shim and a starter. And Thank You, '79, good to be here! You guys have a great Site, I learn something new every day. -John

Re: How to De-Clogg a cooling system of Doom?
 

While you're at it, might want to check condition of the block freeze plugs. If you find excessive corrosion while flushing the block, the freeze plugs might be prone to failure. Good luck.

Re: How to De-Clogg a cooling system of Doom?
 

Hmm. See, I learn something new every day! Thanks Dan!:sexy:

Re: How to De-Clogg a cooling system of Doom?
 

I don't know what it would to to gaskets and rubber... but you may be able to use CLR. Calcium-Lime-Rust remover. Works great! I'm just not sure if it will harm the gaskets, etc. It won't hurt the metals though.

Re: How to De-Clogg a cooling system of Doom?
 

After you flush it all out run 2 bottles of Prestone HD radiator flush/cleaner for about a week to get in and clean while you drive around and then give it another good flush. This worked for me and the inside of the Rad looked new after the flush ;)

Re: How to De-Clogg a cooling system of Doom?
 

That is a good idea Malo, I'll give that a shot after I start her up. I might pour some Lime-Away in the block just for fun before I put back on the water pump, which I think is the same stuff as CLR. I'll definitly do the flush trick before I attempt to jury-rigg my own back yard Rad cooker!:devil: Although I'll try and resist.:crazy: Thanks Guys!

Re: How to De-Clogg a cooling system of Doom?
 

Re: How to De-Clogg a cooling system of Doom?
 

pictures?

Re: How to De-Clogg a cooling system of Doom?
 

Get some RMI-25. Best cooling system de-gunker there is.

opps, didn't realize this thread was a year old already.

Re: How to De-Clogg a cooling system of Doom?
 

WOW!

that seems like wonderstuff!

I'll see if I can find this here in the Netherlands!?!

Re: How to De-Clogg a cooling system of Doom?
 

started to read this thread kikkegek and was thinking of yours
glad you found it