What is a good radiator flush?

[jbod]

Saw a friends radiator that was disgusting, grimed up with brown crud from years of neglect. I offered to help him give this a good clean. What is a potent additive that you can put in the radiator to clean the system? Not like most of the stuff out there I have seen that just tickles it, a product that really moves shit. Haha. Let me know some products that people have used and seen work wonders

[Mr Revhead]

Problem is if it's really bad, you can unearth a multitude of leaks.
But if you want the best, Restore from Cummins.
But you really need it removed and flushed by a pro.
Or better yet set the car on fire.

[RS13]

But you really need it removed and flushed by a pro.

This. Additives won't clear the gunk from the channels in the radiator, you need the top tank removed and it rodded/cleaned properly.

[jbod]

Or better yet set the car on fire.

haha! Yea i dont see how people let it get here. Just like not changing the oil. Breaks my heart .

Ok thanks, has anyone else used this product?
Where abouts can you buy this from?

[petrolhead]

I work on industrial water pumps. And have seen them clogged to the point you have no idea how the are still working.
What we use to flush them is called oxilica acid.
We put the pump in a tub of water with a few scoops and run the pump so the water recycles through it and they come out like new.

I Imagine if you dissolved some of this stuff and added to the coolant and ran the car. It would flush the system really well

[iOnic]

I use restore at work but it's more preventative than anything. No additive will dissolve established blockages without giving you problems elsewhere. Pull the radiator and have it done professionally. Or buy another radiator. And water pump. Then use an additive to clean what's left over, drain, flush and refill with antifreeze mix

[jbod]

Yea i have seen a few industrial products that dont muck around.. Haha. Im helping someone that doesnt want to help themselves, ie no to having the radiator removed and cleaned properly. So i can only entertain the idea of products to add to the coolant and break the scale down. Id be iterested to see how an industrial product like mentioned above goes, but would rather not experience the concsequences like it potentially eating gaskets and hoses etc

Where can you obtain the cummins product from?

[Bling]

I'd just walk away lol. I just can't see it being worthwhile given the problem and the potential of it being actually solved by doing the flushes. I'd put more money on the flush creating more problems (for YOU), than good.

If anything does go wrong soon after, who is going to get the blame? Yep...

[jbod]

It is that or more than likely the poor motor will get hot sooner or later. I would rather help than see it further missused, dont be concerned with who is taking the blame for issues; im offering help to a friend.

I will stick with a automotive radiator flush, most likely wont do too much. Maybe convince him to get a new radiator. You can lead a horse to water but cant make it drink! Id be interested to see if the block is as blocked up as the radiator itself.

Where can you get the cummins product?

[iOnic]

From Cummins.

[Mr Revhead]

It is that or more than likely the poor motor will get hot sooner or later. I would rather help than see it further missused, dont be concerned with who is taking the blame for issues; im offering help to a friend.

I will stick with a automotive radiator flush, most likely wont do too much. Maybe convince him to get a new radiator. You can lead a horse to water but cant make it drink! Id be interested to see if the block is as blocked up as the radiator itself.

Where can you get the cummins product?

To be honest unless they want to do it properly, it's as good as toast.
If you try any flush or anything what will most likely happen is:

A: Shit dislodges and blocks a passage leading to things such as hotspot in the head leading to a cracked head or blown gasket

B: It will finish of a seal or gasket and you end up with a leak, which leads to over heating, cracked head/blown gasket

C: Nothing moves and you waste time and money.


I consider C to be the least likely.
Tell your mate to get ready for engine failure.

[Lloyd]

Some of the flushes will basically just free up the chunks of gunk in the cooling system to it floats around easier until it gets to the bottleneck in the system (the radiator) and just end up blocking it worse. You really need the radiator out and cleaned or replace.

You'd be better off just flushing it with a hose and nothing else rather than using a cleaning additive if it's really bad.

[blackmk3]

As above the ideal situation is to pull the radiator and have it cleaned

But as a "temporary" way of cleaning things up in the past ive taken the thermostat out of the vehicle and removed the top radiator hose then chucked the good old garden hose in the radiator, start it up and just pump all the crap out and onto your driveway, go grab a beer and let it idle for 10mins with the heater on

In with some antifreeze and monitor, eventually it will go brown again but noware near as bad as what it will be now and if the vehicles not showing any o-heating signs you might get away with it
Its better than doing nothing, but obviously not as good as a entire cooling system refit. Good luck!

[RomanV]

I dont know why you're wanting to make problems for yourself, I would wash my hands of the whole situation as quickly as possible.

I ran a radiator flush once, dislodged dirt that was holding my water pump together - started leaking like a sieve as soon as I cranked the motor back up. From there it required a full cambelt/waterpump replacement, radiator taken out and cleaned, and coolant replaced.

Unless you're potentially willing to do all of the above at your own expense, then dont touch it. Your friend may very well think you're a dick, if you break their car for a few days while you do.

Worst idea ever.