Cleaning/flushing cooling system

Michael Sheik · Mar 12, 2014

I am putting in a new engine block heater. Have coolant drained and block heater out. Putting in a temporary rubber freeze plug to be able to fill up and flush the block and radiator while I am waiting on new heater to show up. I know to use distilled water but what would be recommendation to add to water to circulate and flush. I was thinking maybe vinegar. Better suggestions? By the way this is on an '86 IH 234 tractor. Maybe 1.5 gallon capacity.

FC Andy · Mar 12, 2014

The only time I used a coolant cleaner, I bought some stuff from my IH dealer that was from Fleetguard. I believe it said to mix and run for a few hours then drain it. I left it in for a few weeks until I got to spread some fertilizer in the fall, hoping to warm it up good- bad Idea. Letting it soak for a few weeks cleaned so well, I had to have the radiator re-cored. It sprung a leak! So, use as directed! -Andy

showcrop · Mar 12, 2014

I would use an automotive brand name cleaner such as Dupont. Keep in mind that you could have in excess of two inches of crud in your water jacket, especially towards the back, so consider taking out another freeze plug and see if you can flush with a little garden hose pressure.

IH2444 · Mar 12, 2014

Also flush several times with fresh water after using the flushing agent of your choice, since all of the coolant/water seldom comes out of the block.

Michael Sheik · Mar 12, 2014

I have used the automotive stuff on a forklift in
the past. It worked good from what I remember.
Looking in that hole things didn't look too bad so
was thinking maybe something not as strong but will
look into it.

old · Mar 12, 2014

When I flush a cooling system I use straight vinegar and run the engine till warm let sit till cool enough to drain then back flush with a garden hose by way of the block drain.

Brian G. NY · Mar 12, 2014

I used to use washing soda on the old flathead Ford V-8s.
That was the common way of doing it back in the 50s.
I think you can find stuff made specifically for that at your auto parts store may be basically the same stuff; sodium carbonate.
" don"t know if I would try that on a newer vehicle with aluminum heads and/or radiator!

Steve@Advance · Mar 12, 2014

Wondering what you're flushing out? Is it seriously rusted, as in red soup? Or do you just want to get all the old antifreeze out?

Never been a big fan of any flush other than water.

If it's rusty, using just about any thing other than water will likely start a radiator or freeze plug leak.

How did the freeze plug look that came out? Was there a layer of sludge inside the block? If it's that bad, now might be a good time to replace all the freeze plugs and try to get the sludge out if practical, then flush it with water.

If you're just doing a routine antifreeze change and it's not rusty, I would just flush it with water with the engine running and the radiator and block drains open. If there is a heater hose or bypass hose, take it loose so the block will flush since the thermostat will be closed.

Drain best you can, fill with 50/50 distilled water & antifreeze.

Brian Schmidt · Mar 13, 2014

Fleetgard Restore and Restore Plus. Good stuff.

Restore
Alkaline-Based Cleaner
Most Effective Cooling System Oil/Fuel
Contamination-Cleaning Agent on Market
Removes Silicate Gel
10 Times More Effective than Automotive
Distributor Detergent Powders
Safe for Use in Aluminum Radiators and
Heaters

Restore Plus
Mild Acid-Based Chelating Cleaner
Safely Removes Rust, Corrosion, Scale, and
Solder Bloom - Without Disassembling your
Cooling System

greygoat · Mar 14, 2014

I learned, in Technical School, in 1960's, to
use "Washing Soda", available in the detergent
asle. It's worked great for me. The crud really comes pouring out after it's sat for awhile,then
flushed out. I use it with hot water. Washing
soda is also great for dirty Bib overalls. for
greasy ones, I used a mix of 1 cup washing Soda,
1/2 cup ammonia, some Detergent

Cleaning/flushing cooling system

Michael Sheik

Member

FC Andy

Member

showcrop

Well-known Member

IH2444

Well-known Member

Michael Sheik

Member

old

Well-known Member

Brian G. NY

Well-known Member

Steve@Advance

Well-known Member

Brian Schmidt

Member

greygoat

Well-known Member

Similar threads