oil (??) in radiator.. Tips??

Anonymous-0 · Apr 14, 2011

Almost there with one more box to check off.........

2 or 3 years ago, I got a radiator off ebay that had a bunch of crud like used oil or suit in it. Always have a film on top that looks pretty nasty. I've put in dishwasher tabs and ran it, drained, flushed and refilled but it is still producing some. Doesn't mix with the water and make foam, just floats on top (draining just don't do it). Almost to the point of sucking it out with a shopvac but really don't want the mess. Anyone know any tricks or secret recipes????

Thanks, Dave

Bryan inIowa · Apr 14, 2011

Dave ,I've had good luck with Dawn liquid dish soap . Flushed a ton of oily cooling systems , or maybe try some vinegar ?

Anonymous-0 · Apr 14, 2011

Why not put some gas in it and rinse it out

Janicholson · Apr 14, 2011

Gasoline in the radiator (only) might be OK, but in the entire coolimg system it will be a disaster of blown rotted hoses. Nope!
Jim

RLA · Apr 14, 2011

What Ford recommends is Simple Green Cleaner..

Anonymous-0 · Apr 14, 2011

(quoted from post at 12:40:55 04/14/11) What Ford recommends is Simple Green Cleaner..

And then what???? When I try to drain it, the film floating on top just coats itself to the inside of the tanks and core ready for the refill....
I'll still try it, going to get a couple bottles right now.

Dave

just another old geezer · Apr 14, 2011

If the oil film floats, why not flood the radiator to get it out???

MR.P · Apr 14, 2011

I HAVE FOUND THAT CASCADE DISHWASHING POWDER WORKS THE BEST BECAUSE IT DOES NOT SUDS UP AND DOES CLEAN OUT OIL WELL, ALSO IT WOULD BE BEST TO BACK FLUSH THE SYSTEM

MR.P · Apr 14, 2011

dave sorry the cap lock was on. i wasn't yelling

Brian Jasper co. Ia · Apr 14, 2011

What about using an actual cooling system cleaner?

Anonymous-0 · Apr 14, 2011

(quoted from post at 13:20:14 04/14/11) What about using an actual cooling system cleaner?

I'm givin' you that look................ Kinda limited as to what I can buy on post, and getting rid of hazardous waste kinda restricts what you can buy in the stores... Having it professionally done is pretty costly to say the least.
What is it you are talking about? Prestone product?

Thanks, Dave

Anonymous-0 · Apr 14, 2011

(quoted from post at 13:16:51 04/14/11)
dave sorry the cap lock was on. i wasn't yelling

I'm hard of hearing anyway :roll: the dishwasher tabs I use are the same as you are talking about. Just have to spend a day and do it plenty of times I guess..........

rustred · Apr 14, 2011

should be flushed out from rad top by hooking garden hose to block.

Dell (WA) · Apr 14, 2011

Dave.......would it surprize you to learn modern anti-freeze INCLUDES waterpump oil that floats a film on top of yer radiator water??? Years ago, used to haffta add waterpump oil. (Wynns, Rislone, etc) Modern 50/50 anti-freeze (whether green or pink) is so much better, HIGHER boiling temp and lower freezing temp. While Dawn or Simple Green will clean yer current oil, guess what??? It will come back on purpose. You NEED waterpump oil for the pump seals. .......the pumped Dell

Anonymous-0 · Apr 14, 2011

(quoted from post at 13:28:26 04/14/11) Dave.......would it surprize you to learn modern anti-freeze INCLUDES waterpump oil that floats a film on top of yer radiator water??? Years ago, used to haffta add waterpump oil. (Wynns, Rislone, etc) Modern 50/50 anti-freeze (whether green or pink) is so much better, HIGHER boiling temp and lower freezing temp. While Dawn or Simple Green will clean yer current oil, guess what??? It will come back on purpose. You NEED waterpump oil for the pump seals. .......the pumped Dell

But I didn't pour any black stuff in..........I don't care if it's something that belongs there but don't want it to look like I don't take care of it.
Got an image to keep up dontchaknow................

bmiller · Apr 14, 2011

put dawn dish soap in the radaitor and run untill warm. Take the rad cap off stick gardon hose in rad and just let tractor run and let the water spill out the top untill clear. Thats how a jd mech told me to do it after my oil coller spang a leat messy but really worked nice to clean it.. Bob

Lou from Wi. · Apr 14, 2011

Check your E-mail,sent you a message about this.
Regards, LOU

Lou from Wi. · Apr 14, 2011

here's a link
radiator cleaner

Lou from Wi. · Apr 14, 2011

Dave,
This seems like a product,says it removes grease among other things,we haven't used it, but don't know.Hope this helps.
Regards,LOU
heavy duty cleaner

Spook · Apr 14, 2011

I'd go with the Dawn detergent idea. It really works well cleaning oil off of dogs.

)

Anonymous-0 · Apr 14, 2011

I'll second MR.P's use of Cascade, I flushed out a radiator that an automatic trans. cooler start leaking. And Caterpillar also specifies using it to clean radiators. I also hooked into the lower coolant port and put warm water in while the engine was running and flushed out and no suds. But would use Dawn if nothing else is available and use it alot to wash my hands after tractor work. Would help to mix up the Cascade with water before you pour in so it does cake up and block a passage.

Tony in Mass. · Apr 14, 2011

I hate to sound like a spoiled city slicker, but when I have radiator problems.... I take it off and bring it to a 'radiator shop'. there are 3 within 45 minutes of me. They get soaked, boiled, pressure tested, fins straightened, and even re-soldered if needed. The most expensive is $30, but for that price he paints it. I bring my gas tanks to these guys too.

Lamar Fudd · Apr 15, 2011

Dave, you missed the part where Dell said Antifreeze INCLUDES an oil. You'll never be free of this and I agree with you; it doesn't look right.

oil (??) in radiator.. Tips??

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