Vinegar flush

jwhite1149

jwhite1149

Junior Member
Over the past few weeks I have flushed my radiator/engine three times with vinegar. Drained and flushed with water, refilled with vinegar, etc. etc.
Fresh vinegar has been in the radiator over 20 days. I have used 15 gallons of vinegar and 200-400 gallons of water.
I use a running water hose in the filler neck and refill the radiator with the engine running, hoping the fresh water will push out the rusty vinegar. The engine runs about 20-30 minutes each time I flush.
The rusty vinegar and water from the drain looks as if I have never flushed it before.
How much rust can a cooling system hold?
Should the water ever look clean and clear?
Should I, and will it help, to pull the heads and work on the block from the top?
I have new Drake water pumps and I think what I have done has helped.
What do you think?
 
Jwhite ....I just used some vinegar yesterday and a lot of steam came out. Did that happen to you. I understand your suppose to run with vinegar for a couple of weeks !

Mine was pretty clean already but just wanted to see how much better I could make it. You have to run baking soda through it now also.

Mike
 
Mike, Yes my radiator boiled over the first time, it took two days to clean up and polish my paint. I may try vinegar one more time, then use the baking soda. I removed a lot of rust but like you I would like it a bit better.
Jim
 
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It's funny that we are never satisfied huh ? I had to use a light detergent on it and hosed it down. It came out ok but it was a mess under the hood for sure.

Mike
 
You might try running a dishwasher detergent for a while before using the vinegar The type used in a dishwasher not hand washing (non foaming). It also helps to warm the engine every day or better yet drive it. This worked very well for me.
Gary.
 
I use Lestoil for a few days prior to the vinegar.It seems to cut the grease,leaving the rust for the vinegar.It works for me. Phil
 
The Baking Soda will nautralize the acid in the vinegar. It might save some of your painted surfaces.
MIKE :)
 
Just to add to all the good posts .I have had washing soda &-Vinegar -Molasses, alternately in my stationary compressor radiator over 3 months now , ,I have disconnected the hoses from the motor and driven some wooden pegs in the pipes ,I can see were the top of the tubes are plugged by poking through the top layer ,you get a burst of bubbles as the air in most of the tube escapes .The washing soda is good to cut through old Barr's leaks / grease specially on a greasable pump 21 stud motors , I would not leave it in for prolong periods ,maybe two to three days would do it , longer and the caustic component could leach through your head gaskets . you should be warming the motor up between ,You could also use kero or diesel but would not drive with it in there .I personal would not bother to flush with soda by the time you run water through it then fill again I would say the affect of the acid would be dissipated but do what you think is best .Vinegar is a mild acid so 14 days is the minimum ./Caveat emptier. This is just my take on it and not nesarly better than any one else's .
 
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Hey jwhite?? I would pull the water pumps, and push water down the top outlet, on the heads,?? you don't say what engine are we working with ?? I hope it's a 24 stud with water outlets at top center of head, should be a good place to flush from ?? OR is it a 21 stud ?? water pump off. make a tool, 18' long 3/8 tube on your water hose, and reach back in the head and flush away .... your asking a lot of the pumps to move, somewhat wet/solid stuff up and out, through the radiator as well.... with the radiator out of the picture, flush it with your water hose,...lay it flat and slosh it back and forth ?? and see what you can shake out ?? roll,it around a bit,,.. the stuff will come out, casting sand, bits of wire, small pebles ... what ever ?? yes it should run clear after a while,,, OLD....BILL
 
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