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Tractor Talk Discussion Forum

Cleaning radiators

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msb

01-26-2005 19:34:13




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Anyone clean their own radiators.Just got a very shabby job today by a (pro?). I have used hydrochloric acid on a combine before with relative success whil the radiator was still on the machine.I want to get this tractor radiator CLEAN.How do you do it and what do you use?This one still has sludge in it.Want to do it while it is still off the tractor.TIA,bob




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Stretch in NM

01-27-2005 19:17:58




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 Re: Cleaning radiators in reply to msb, 01-26-2005 19:34:13  
MSB,
I can't speak for doing it yourself, but I can tell you what we found the "pros" do.
Here in Alamogordo, a guy wanted $90 to clean the radiator. He dips and soaks it in a solution, the uses high-pressure water and air to finish it. We left the radiator with him - he said it'd be ready in a week or so.
Then we found a radiator shop in El Paso that takes the radiator apart, cleans and straightens any bent tubes, solders it back together, and paints it. Price? $65. He guarantees his work too.
Needless to say, I went right over to the Alamogordo shop and took our radiator back and shipped it to El Paso.
I wish I had a good do-it-yourself solution like some of the others, but I dont.
Good luck.

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RayP(MI)

01-27-2005 17:45:51




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 Re: Cleaning radiators in reply to msb, 01-26-2005 19:34:13  
If it is sludge, and not lime buildup, you might try several cycles of draining, refilling, adding a couple of tablespoons of powder dish washer detergent, running, draining, etc. Worked well for me on a couple radiators. NOT A WINTER PROJECT AS YOU DON'T WANT THE RADIATOR TO FREEZE!



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Bill WI

01-27-2005 06:53:25




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 Re: Cleaning radiators in reply to msb, 01-26-2005 19:34:13  
On running units we always put a strong mix of washing soda in with water and run good and warm for awhile and drain.



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Nolan

01-27-2005 06:09:03




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 Re: Cleaning radiators in reply to msb, 01-26-2005 19:34:13  
I've tried vinegar, and wasn't pleased with the results at all. It may well have done things to the rust on the block, but it didn't do anything to the gunk in the radiator itself.

I have heard that products like Lime-Away or CLR will do a good job, but I have not tried them myself.



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RustyFarmall

01-27-2005 04:52:26




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 Re: Cleaning radiators in reply to msb, 01-26-2005 19:34:13  
I remember reading of a trick the old timers used, it involved the use of muriatic acid and was used for cleaning the entire system on a running engine. I know the acid was diluted to a cetain point, but I don't know how much it was diluted. I can understand how this would be very effective, but I have never been brave enough to try it. I don't think it would be very good for an aluminum radiator.

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old

01-26-2005 21:32:21




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 Re: Cleaning radiators in reply to msb, 01-26-2005 19:34:13  
I use vineigar but thats on a running tractor. I fill the rad and run the tractor till its good and warm, let it cool and then flush it with clean water. Works good but as I said a running tractor.



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VaTom

01-27-2005 04:43:17




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 Re: Cleaning radiators in reply to old, 01-26-2005 21:32:21  
Hi old,

I hadn't remembered who recommended vinegar to me a while back. Tried it twice but still wasn't happy with the results. Then somebody local here recommended dishwasher detergent. That worked better. Took quite a bit of running before I got it all out, but the radiator's a whole lot cleaner.



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old

01-27-2005 07:06:05




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 Re: Cleaning radiators in reply to VaTom, 01-27-2005 04:43:17  
Guess it depends on what you have clogging the rad, in my area we have hard water problems so you end up with a lot of lime in them over the years and the vineagar work well on that type of problem



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VaTom

01-27-2005 15:46:26




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 Re: Cleaning radiators in reply to old, 01-27-2005 07:06:05  
Hi old,

I wan't meaning that the vinegar did nothing, came out looking a LOT different than when it went it. And maybe the detergent worked better for following the vinegar. Don't know.



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old

01-27-2005 16:51:39




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 Re: Cleaning radiators in reply to VaTom, 01-27-2005 15:46:26  
Yes it could have been the combo that did it. One of those things that you probably will never know.



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37 chief

01-26-2005 20:04:02




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 Re: Cleaning radiators in reply to msb, 01-26-2005 19:34:13  
I have removed the tank (top only) on a few radiators, and rodded out the tubes. If you have a torch and know how to solder it can be done. A transmission oil dip stick works good for shoving in the tubes for cleaning. On some tractor radiators the tanks are bolted on which makes cleaning easier. Most radiator shops usually back flush radiators with a powerful flow of water. I think I would take the radiator back and have it redone. I would be careful with the acid. Might eat the tubes. Stan

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lucasss

01-27-2005 07:22:35




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 Re: Cleaning radiators in reply to 37 chief, 01-26-2005 20:04:02  
if you have the white calcium buildup then clr will get it out.its really safe to use ,wont hurt your hands or radiator ,no matter how strong..lucas



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thurlow

01-27-2005 09:27:50




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 Re: Cleaning radiators in reply to lucasss, 01-27-2005 07:22:35  
Where do you get the CLR; will it hurt a running engine..... water pump seals?



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dr.sportster

01-27-2005 12:19:59




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 Re: Cleaning radiators in reply to thurlow, 01-27-2005 09:27:50  
CLR[calcium,lime rust]just yelled to wife.She said she got it in the super market.Uses it to clean old bottles.



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