What to use to get rid of rust in cooling system?

bb in ok · May 28, 2012

I tried prestone flush in radiator and ran it and flushed twice with water and am still getting rusty water. A mechanic told me to use like liquid plummer and make sure to get it all flushed out but I am not sure about that one. Any help will be appreciated.

JRSutton · May 28, 2012

Personally, I think trying to get all the rust out will only drive you insane.

Unless you're having trouble with overheating - or if it's coming out REAL thick - I'd flush it good once or twice, and then call it done.

John G. Hasler · May 28, 2012

> A mechanic told me to use like liquid plummer
> and make sure to get it all flushed out but I
> am not sure about that one.

That's acid. It's ok to use acid to clean a block (I use dairy pipeline cleaner: phosphoric acid) but if you get it in your radiator you'll have leaks for sure.

I'd follow JRSutton's advice. You're lucky to just have rust. We have hard water so every block is full of limestone.

Jim in Ma. · May 28, 2012

My Dad used to use Okite (powdered laundry cleaner). slowly pore in about a cupfull with just water, cover the radiator and run it till it gets real hot and then drain and rince.

mike1972chev · May 28, 2012

Powdered dish washing detergent is best(Cascade)It is NON foaming.

I would flush it a couple of times,then with water.Be sure and pull the block plug and the radiator plug while rinsing.

BTW,there is an outside chance the radiator could plug/or already is partially plugged???? Might have to go to the shop and be "rodded" out??? Hard to say from over here???

uncle henry · May 28, 2012

like mike said Cascade i have used it i mowed five acres with it in my tractor then flushed it out i done it three more times with good clear water coming out the last time p.s. the more the merrier

old · May 28, 2012

My self I use vinegar. Drain the system flush it with water then fill with vinegar and run it for a n hour or so let cool drain and flush again. Vinegar is an acid so it helps break the rust down

sflem849 · May 28, 2012

Doesn't the manual suggest borax?

D7fever · May 28, 2012

I put in a can (or 2 ) of waterpump lubricant and anti-rust, the milky type, works good for me, turns rusty water clear. Helps with the anti rust with antifreeze, especially if you leave it in for many years.

Anonymous-0 · May 28, 2012

Manual says use washing soda,arm and hammer still makes it.

rhtx55 · May 28, 2012

Try Calgonite dish washing soap. We used it in Diesel shops to clean the oil out of the coolant when an oil cooler failed. Put in about a half cup, add water. Run it for around a half hour after the thermostat opens & drain immediately, wait until it cools completely and add antifreeze and a bottle of nalcool.

Jason the Red · May 28, 2012

I used a product called Con-Coil, which is commonly used in HVAC work to clean coils. The stuff eats corrosion like it's nothing.

FC Andy · May 28, 2012

I think you're playing with fire here... last fall, I put a new waterpump on the ol' 806. I bought a coolant system cleaner, made by fleetguard, from my IH dealer. Mixed it by instructions, ran it, drained it, changed waterpump, filled up with anti-freeze, and VIOLA! Leaking radiatior! GRRR. Now, I did differ from instructions a little, it said to run tractor for a few hours then drain it. I mixed it up, ran it probably a half hour, then it sat 2 weeks, I was hoping to do a little discing to warm it up good. Rain had other Ideas. That period of sitting I'll bet is what ruined the radiator. I'm not sure. Be warned: you may clean it "too well". My personal belief: if a good cleaning causes radiator to leak, it was about to pop a leak anyway. -Andy

Royse · May 28, 2012

I agree with you Andy.
I also agree with Old.
I use vinegar.
It cleans rust off in a heart beat.
Side note, if using it on a muzzle loader barrel it also takes bluing off in a heart beat. One cup per bathtub.
Problem is, rust may be the only thing keeping it from leaking if it's that far gone.

What to use to get rid of rust in cooling system?

bb in ok

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