Can't get the cooling system cleaned out.. any suggestions?
#1
iPod Tamer
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Can't get the cooling system cleaned out.. any suggestions?
After my oil cooler seals went bad I got a good bit of oil in the cooling system and I am still trying to get it all out. I have taken the reservoir off numerous times and flushed it with gas and then dish washing soap, and flushed the system out about 10 times now and my water is still getting murky and dirty looking. I used some Prestone radiator flush last weekend and while the water is not as bad its still not clean yet. Any other suggestions? I read that someone said to put some dawn soap in the system, but I thought that would probably turn out into a big sudsy mess.
#2
Race Car
I am facing a similar problem.
After my rebuild I guess I allowed some oil into the system. Neither my oil or coolant levels are dropping, so I'm not concerned about leakage, but it has done some nasty things to my coolant.
Is it safe to put some detergent in your cooling system?.. Or will it just foam up?
My brain says no, but I am just not sure. There is no water/air barrier where all the turbulence is, so there shouldn't be any bubbles, right?...
After my rebuild I guess I allowed some oil into the system. Neither my oil or coolant levels are dropping, so I'm not concerned about leakage, but it has done some nasty things to my coolant.
Is it safe to put some detergent in your cooling system?.. Or will it just foam up?
My brain says no, but I am just not sure. There is no water/air barrier where all the turbulence is, so there shouldn't be any bubbles, right?...
#3
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Maybe flush it out with the Prestone once or twice more, with plain water flushes in-between? I asked about this not too long ago and one response was to use 1/2 cup fabric softener(Bounce?). I'm going to try to make time to do both later this afternoon. I had some grunge in my system when I pulled a bunch of stuff apart and am going to try to get rid of as much of the remnants as possible. Good luck!!
#4
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Both of you have the same things I have. I pulled off my lower radiator hose and there was a nasty muck inside of it, so I am sure its throughout the entire coolant system. Neither my oil or coolant is dropping in level, so no issues there. I did the prestone flush, and I have been using clean water flushes for about the last four of five flushes. I have been driving around with just straight water and then doing flushes during the weekends but, by weeks end my water is murky again. I think that slimy muck is probably slimmed up throughout the cooling system, and every week longs drive sweeps enough out to get the water nasty.
#5
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Tide laundry detergent. A couple scoops and clean water, run the car until the temperature comes up, then drain the system. Do it a few times if it's really bad, then flush it out a few times with clean water, again, running the engine until it's up to temperature, then flush. Repeat until the water comes out clean. Then fill it with 50% distilled water and 50% antifreeze. You're done.
Dal.
Dal.
#6
Three Wheelin'
Yeah, what Dal said. To get the oil out of the cooling system you MUST use some form of detergent. Check out this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detergent
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#10
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Originally Posted by Dal Heger
Tide laundry detergent. A couple scoops and clean water, run the car until the temperature comes up, then drain the system. Do it a few times if it's really bad, then flush it out a few times with clean water, again, running the engine until it's up to temperature, then flush. Repeat until the water comes out clean. Then fill it with 50% distilled water and 50% antifreeze. You're done.
Dal.
Dal.
Dal, are you talking about the powder or the liquid tide? Just double checking.
#12
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Originally Posted by Zero10
So, Tide is best?.... Or is dish soap fine?
If I throw my socks in with it, will they come out clean too?
Hey, don't blame me for trying to save a bit of time!
If I throw my socks in with it, will they come out clean too?
Hey, don't blame me for trying to save a bit of time!
Don't ask.