Removing rust stains from radiator-SOLVED!

700rpm

700rpm

Well-known member
Yesterday I took my A out for a long drive; at about 30 miles my radiator started spitting out thick brown gunk from the filler spout. (I know what the problem was and I've dealt with that.) I was in a rural area with no running water to flush it out, so I wiped it out and washed it as best I could with some bottled water I had. By the time I got home, after a couple similar incidents, my radiator was well stained by the rusty residue. I scrubbed with a toothbrush and hot soapy water, but only to minimum effect. Can anyone suggest a good method for cleaning this junk off my radiator and getting a good black back? The radiator was just reworked and repainted at a radiator shop, and it was looking good till yesterday.:(
 
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Re: Removing rust stains from radiator

Brown gunk:eek:? Could we have a leaky head gasket and that's oil in the water?? Better clean it off as best as you can and respray the radiator .:(
 
Re: Removing rust stains from radiator

peters180a/170b said:
Brown gunk:eek:? Could we have a leaky head gasket and that's oil in the water?? Better clean it off as best as you can and respray the radiator .:(
Click to expand...

No, it's rust. I thought oil at first, too, but it's not oily. Engine was rebuilt but sat for ten years or more before I bought it. I should have flushed it before I ran it too far.
 
Re: Removing rust stains from radiator

Try CLR cleaner. It removes light rust. Pick it up at Walmart. You may have to repaint your radiator.
 
Also you need to run Gunk Water Pump Lubricant all the time. It will keep the block from rusting as it is water soluble oil.
 
"Like solvents remove like substances". Powdered black iron, ie, rust needs acid, which is what CLR is. And what you found out. Great stuff this CLR is.

skip.
 
Gary, that looks like a SERIOUS banjo in your picture. Do you play? I think Brent (from TN) also plays banjo; maybe you guys should get together!
 
Yeah, been playing for about 25 yrs now...its a lot of fun. My new hobby is of course the 1930 model A that i got a few months ago.
 
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