How to De-Clogg a cooling system of Doom? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

JohnSerbian · 01-21-2010, 01:37 PM

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?

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

79gmcc15 · 01-21-2010, 02:04 PM

I don't know but I love the title

and welcome!

**old Rusty C10** · 01-21-2010, 02:52 PM

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

dan76 · 01-21-2010, 03:09 PM

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.

JohnSerbian · 01-21-2010, 09:40 PM

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

dan76 · 01-21-2010, 11:36 PM

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.

JohnSerbian · 01-22-2010, 04:28 AM

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

*78 Chevyrado* · 01-22-2010, 03:41 PM

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.

Malo83 · 01-22-2010, 04:51 PM

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

JohnSerbian · 01-22-2010, 11:25 PM

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!

Although I'll try and resist.

Thanks Guys!

MylilBowTie · 01-23-2010, 04:16 AM

YouTube- How to unclog a heater core to get good...

kikkegek · 01-04-2011, 04:27 PM

pictures?

454HO · 01-05-2011, 01:54 AM

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

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

kikkegek · 01-05-2011, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 454HO

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

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

WOW!

that seems like wonderstuff!

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

motornut · 01-06-2011, 12:29 PM

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

01-21-2010, 01:37 PM	#1
JohnSerbian Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: San Diego, Ca Posts: 17	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? P.s.; I'll post picture's soon, Think: ''Brown Barnicals" & "Thermostat Clog" __________________ 1983 GMC SIERRA CLASSIC 2500 V8 350 "When the going gets weird, The Weird turn Pro."-HST

01-21-2010, 02:04 PM	#2
79gmcc15 Gettin It One Pice At A Time Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: everett, washington Posts: 2,688	Re: How to De-Clogg a cooling system of Doom? I don't know but I love the title and welcome! __________________ RIP ELJAY Work In Progress 1979 GMC C1500 Trailering Special. Getting the truck done, one piece at a time. “You can tell a lot about a fellow’s character by his way of eating jellybeans.”Ronald Reagan “I don’t know the key to success but I know the key to failure is trying to please everybody.” Bill Cosby

01-21-2010, 02:52 PM	#3
old Rusty C10 Robert Olson Transport Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: recent transplant to NC USA Posts: 20,280	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 __________________ Bob 1951 International running on a squarebody chassis "If a man's worth is judged by the people he associates himself with, then i am the richest man in the world knowing some of the fine people of this board" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...t.php?f=25&a=9 (you can review the site rules here!) PM Me for your vehicle/parts hauling needs in the North East US or see my Facebook page Robert Olson Transport Live each day to the fullest.. you never know when fate is going to pull the rug out from under you... I hate cancer!!

01-21-2010, 03:09 PM	#4
dan76 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Salt Lake City UT Posts: 441	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. Last edited by dan76; 01-21-2010 at 03:11 PM.

01-21-2010, 09:40 PM	#5
JohnSerbian Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: San Diego, Ca Posts: 17	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 __________________ 1983 GMC SIERRA CLASSIC 2500 V8 350 "When the going gets weird, The Weird turn Pro."-HST

01-21-2010, 11:36 PM	#6
dan76 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Salt Lake City UT Posts: 441	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.

01-22-2010, 04:28 AM	#7
JohnSerbian Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: San Diego, Ca Posts: 17	Re: How to De-Clogg a cooling system of Doom? Hmm. See, I learn something new every day! Thanks Dan! __________________ 1983 GMC SIERRA CLASSIC 2500 V8 350 "When the going gets weird, The Weird turn Pro."-HST

01-22-2010, 03:41 PM	#8
78 Chevyrado Account Suspended Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Unnapreciative, Trollville Posts: 2,079	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.

01-22-2010, 04:51 PM	#9
Malo83 Cruzzzn' Vet Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Porterville,Ca. Posts: 1,918	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

01-22-2010, 11:25 PM	#10
JohnSerbian Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: San Diego, Ca Posts: 17	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! Although I'll try and resist. Thanks Guys! __________________ 1983 GMC SIERRA CLASSIC 2500 V8 350 "When the going gets weird, The Weird turn Pro."-HST Last edited by JohnSerbian; 01-22-2010 at 11:27 PM.

01-04-2011, 04:27 PM	#12
kikkegek Registered User Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Netherlands, The Hague Posts: 1,518	Re: How to De-Clogg a cooling system of Doom? pictures? __________________ My dreamride / project:1977 GMC C15 Suburban In storage: Monster - 1974 GMC Suburban 25hundred Sold : Chevrolet Suburban K20 Silverado 1986 Guide: real HID projectors for 4x6 headlights link: DIY LED TAILLIGHTS

01-05-2011, 01:54 AM	#13
454HO Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 1,224	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. __________________ - Greg Last edited by 454HO; 01-05-2011 at 01:57 AM.

01-06-2011, 12:29 PM	#15
motornut 78K & 79C Jimmys Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Ottawa Ont CANADA Posts: 7,901	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 __________________ John 1978 GMCJimmy4X4-350/203 1979 GMCJimmy4X2-305/350



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