How to deep clean a rusty radiator? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

grayw0lf · 07-06-2007, 01:20 PM

Does anyone know of a good method to clean out a rusty radiator? It doesn't leak at all, but you can see the rust clogging up the end of the cores.

I've been through 2 bottles of Prestone Heavy Duty Radiator Cleaner & flushed it several times. Its much better, but still not cooling properly at highway speeds.

I'm thinking muriatic acid or naval jelly in the radiator might be a step too far.

Bishops Trucks · 07-06-2007, 01:31 PM

Take it to a radiator shop and let them boil it out. Thats about the best way to deep clean one.

Richard H. · 07-06-2007, 01:32 PM

I like straight vinegar, cheaper and it does work !

topnos · 07-06-2007, 01:32 PM

"Take it to a radiator shop and let them boil it out. Thats about the best way to deep clean one.
__________________
Jim"

Radiator shop is the best solution.

OLDIRON69 · 07-06-2007, 02:48 PM

You talkin' about plain white vinegar? Do you run it thru the entire cooling system?

**StingRay** · 07-06-2007, 02:51 PM

And after it's all cleaned out there's a good chance it'll leak. Often the only only thing keeping them from leaking is all that crud. Lay it down, put the rad cap on and fill it with CLR through one of the hose nipples. It works like a damn for cleaning. Personally I've learned not to waste my time and I just take them to a buddy of mine that owns a rad shop. He usually ends up pulling both tanks and header plates and re-solders them all if the core is still serviceable. Half the time I end up needing a new core.

Richard H. · 07-06-2007, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OLDIRON69

You talkin' about plain white vinegar? Do you run it thru the entire cooling system?

Nothing will work as good as a radiator boil job or new one but yes straight white or cider vinegar. Same principle as your coffee maker and you can run it for a few days with no ill problems.

OLDIRON69 · 07-06-2007, 03:59 PM

The one I'm currently running is need of a little cleaning. In case it does start leaking, I have a good spare 4 core that needs to be in there anyway...

luvmybowtiz · 07-06-2007, 04:51 PM

Usually running anykind of "flushing" fluid thru your radiator and cooling system causes larger chunks of crud to dislodge and plug up your core even more. take your time and money to the radiator shop and be done with it. Lots of time and money spent to learn this little advice.

grayw0lf · 07-09-2007, 10:01 AM

Thanks for all the info. I going to pull the radiator this afternoon & take it to the radiator shop.

07-06-2007, 01:20 PM	#1
grayw0lf Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Clanton, AL Posts: 1,253	How to deep clean a rusty radiator? Does anyone know of a good method to clean out a rusty radiator? It doesn't leak at all, but you can see the rust clogging up the end of the cores. I've been through 2 bottles of Prestone Heavy Duty Radiator Cleaner & flushed it several times. Its much better, but still not cooling properly at highway speeds. I'm thinking muriatic acid or naval jelly in the radiator might be a step too far. __________________ 85' CUCV M1009!!! The newest addition! 6.2diesel, Th400, NP208, & only 36k miles! 70' C-10 LWB Fleetside - Looking good these days! 05' Dodge Neon 88' Winner Escape Sport 1750 - 4.3v6 94' Seadoo SP 84' Honda TRX200, bare nekkid. Just a frame & tires. Always looking for another project or any good deal!

07-06-2007, 01:31 PM	#2
Bishops Trucks KEEP ON TRUCKIN' Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Sterling, Va. Posts: 5,730	Re: How to deep clean a rusty radiator? Take it to a radiator shop and let them boil it out. Thats about the best way to deep clean one. __________________ JIM '97 GMC Sierra K1500 '95 Chevy Silverado C1500 '71 Cheyenne Z71 / LT1 & 4-Speed SWB K/10 Father/Son Project http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4l689JKXPnA http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/payments.php "LIVIN' FREE FOREVER"

07-06-2007, 01:32 PM	#3
Richard H. Spanked once Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Intheshop, Indiana Posts: 969	Re: How to deep clean a rusty radiator? I like straight vinegar, cheaper and it does work !

07-06-2007, 01:32 PM	#4
topnos Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 46	Re: How to deep clean a rusty radiator? "Take it to a radiator shop and let them boil it out. Thats about the best way to deep clean one. __________________ Jim" Radiator shop is the best solution. __________________ 70 C-10 350/700R4, 2.5/4 drop to be completed by 12/07 Last edited by topnos; 07-06-2007 at 01:35 PM. Reason: Reply inserted before mine

07-06-2007, 02:48 PM	#5
OLDIRON69 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ben Wheeler,Texas Posts: 992	Re: How to deep clean a rusty radiator? You talkin' about plain white vinegar? Do you run it thru the entire cooling system? __________________ 05 2500HD 6.0 excab 69 LWB-Gone but not forgotten! 68 Dodge Charger 383/727 69 Dodge Charger-440/4spd

07-06-2007, 02:51 PM	#6
StingRay Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Saskatoon,SK,Canada Posts: 2,476	Re: How to deep clean a rusty radiator? And after it's all cleaned out there's a good chance it'll leak. Often the only only thing keeping them from leaking is all that crud. Lay it down, put the rad cap on and fill it with CLR through one of the hose nipples. It works like a damn for cleaning. Personally I've learned not to waste my time and I just take them to a buddy of mine that owns a rad shop. He usually ends up pulling both tanks and header plates and re-solders them all if the core is still serviceable. Half the time I end up needing a new core. __________________ Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Canada

07-06-2007, 03:59 PM	#8
OLDIRON69 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ben Wheeler,Texas Posts: 992	Re: How to deep clean a rusty radiator? The one I'm currently running is need of a little cleaning. In case it does start leaking, I have a good spare 4 core that needs to be in there anyway... __________________ 05 2500HD 6.0 excab 69 LWB-Gone but not forgotten! 68 Dodge Charger 383/727 69 Dodge Charger-440/4spd

07-06-2007, 04:51 PM	#9
luvmybowtiz Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Okeechobee, Florida Posts: 31	Re: How to deep clean a rusty radiator? Usually running anykind of "flushing" fluid thru your radiator and cooling system causes larger chunks of crud to dislodge and plug up your core even more. take your time and money to the radiator shop and be done with it. Lots of time and money spent to learn this little advice.

07-09-2007, 10:01 AM	#10
grayw0lf Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Clanton, AL Posts: 1,253	Re: How to deep clean a rusty radiator? Thanks for all the info. I going to pull the radiator this afternoon & take it to the radiator shop. __________________ 85' CUCV M1009!!! The newest addition! 6.2diesel, Th400, NP208, & only 36k miles! 70' C-10 LWB Fleetside - Looking good these days! 05' Dodge Neon 88' Winner Escape Sport 1750 - 4.3v6 94' Seadoo SP 84' Honda TRX200, bare nekkid. Just a frame & tires. Always looking for another project or any good deal!



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