Radiator flush

I use vinegar and I have left it in for as long as a week driving the model A. everyday it's not gonna hurt anything and then drain it and then obviously flush it a few times with fresh water and neutralize it with some baking soda like was already mentioned that should take care of anything in it.
 
On my trip to the recent New England Meet in Rocky Hill, Ct, my Victoria overheated several times climbing the hills on CT68. This is the first time the car overheated! A lot of brown water steamed-out each time. At first I thought the brown silt in the water was rust, but it was mostly stop leak. Way too much stop leak. I bought a bottle of Thoro-Flush from Snyder's and it did a good job of cleaning-out the cooling system on the Victoria. But beware, this powder makes a strong solution that will harm skin!
 
Here is a tried and true technique with inexpensive products form local hardware stores. And, as long as radiator not clogged (you would need to rod it for that) it works very well

Diastole
 

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I tried flushing my old radiator but it would not fit down the toilet. I ended up giving it away.

But seriously, folks. Evapo-Rust products are good. Not toxic and will not harm metal that is not rusted. Follow the instructions.
 
An old mechanic told me (over 50 years ago) to:

drain system,
fill with clear water,
add some powdered laundry detergent to the water and drive for a few weeks,
drain,
repeat as many times as necessary until water runs clear,
drain,
fill with antifreeze solution.

I've seen similar suggestions on other message boards; it seems to work well and is virtually cost-free.
 
atch said:
An old mechanic told me (over 50 years ago) to:

drain system,
fill with clear water,
add some powdered laundry detergent to the water and drive for a few weeks,
drain,
repeat as many times as necessary until water runs clear,
drain,
fill with antifreeze solution.

I've seen similar suggestions on other message boards; it seems to work well and is virtually cost-free.
Click to expand...

I advise against using laundry detergent if it is the one for top loading machines. It contains a foaming agent that turns the water to a thick frothy foam that does not cool the engine nearly enough. Better to use a non foaming detergent - either dishwasher tablets or detergent for a front loading machine. That will get rid of any oiliness in the system but not the rust. Vinegar helps but is weak and slow. Dedicated rust removers are better IMO. There is no point talking brands because what we have, you don't and vice versa.
 
Once upon a time, people used kerosene to flush cooling systems. I was actually involve with such an operation long ago. It did work great, but I would not recommend it today. There are many good, and safer, alternatives.
 
I bought an A in the late 70's that had a lot of cloggage in the system,but no corrosion.It was all grease from the owners overgreasing the pump for 50 years.I was working on trucks at the time,and tried what we used on trucks that had lost their oil coolers and loaded the cooling systems with oil.We used Cascade dishwasher detergent.That was OK for hot fluid oils,but not 50 years of caked on grease in the A system.I was told to use a half cup of Lestoil and straight water,and change and flush as needed.If a half a cup is good then a half a bottle is better.It worked,by the end of the summer the radiator and block were spotless.I did have to remove the top tank later and rod it out,no liquid would penetrate down all of those tubes to get it all.It looked like all that grease had protected everything all those years.Because it was so clean it was only an hours work for the radiator guy.When I sold that car 10 years later you could smell Lestoil when it drove by.
 
Buy a couple of liters of Essence of Vinegar...roughly 25% acid content. Cheaper and just as good as any flush liquid. Just pour a liter of vinegar into the radiator and fill the rest with distilled water...let it run at a high idle for 15 minutes and drain into a light colored pan to observe sediment. Repeat until it comes out with zero sediment. The vinegar will disolve all of that nasty grease that has been pumped into the water pump as well. Nice because you are not pouring anything toxic into the ground or your drain system.
 
I caution you all. Chemical flushing agents are either acids or strong bases. These etch the tubes in your radiator making them thinner. Do not routinely flush with chemicals. Use water instead. Use chemicals when you have a definite problem, and not for maintenance.
 
Good Morning...Much depands on how often you drive your A. I drive Miss Princess at least once a week...She has 50/50 antifreeze in her and it stays nice and green and clean. Friends who don't drive their A's much...seem to have more trouble with their cooling systems. Ernie in Arizona:)
 
Is this the same Evapo-Rust you get from Harbor Freight? I have a similar problem with a radiator in my 36 pickup. Not fully clogged, just enough of that stop leak crap to cause an issue. I got rid of the mouse nest in the upper tank and that seemed to help some, but the stop leak is still there. I have flushed with water until everything is clean. Also what type of thermostat is recommended in a 36 engine? I prefer the old brass type, but wondered what is the best since it seems there is nothing to hold it in place.
 
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