flushing dirty rad
#1
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 187
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From: Manitoba, Canada
Car: 91 Formula
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: T-5
Axle/Gears: stock
flushing dirty rad
Hey,
So my rad and resovoir have a nice layer of rust on them, and i'm trying to clean them up. The car actually runs fine in terms of temperature, but regardless i've drained the rad and pulled the resovoir, just a couple of quick questions.
How can I find the engine drain bolt? I'm pretty useless under cars and don't know where to look (a different thead there said by the oil pan?). My manual says there are 2 bolts.
How can I flush all that junk out of my rad? I put a hose in the top and let it run but doesn't that just go straight down the side and out the bottom drain plug?
The coolant looks clean, not dirty or rusty, its just the deposits in the rad and resovoir. Should I buy some rust remover for the system or will just water be OK?
Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
So my rad and resovoir have a nice layer of rust on them, and i'm trying to clean them up. The car actually runs fine in terms of temperature, but regardless i've drained the rad and pulled the resovoir, just a couple of quick questions.
How can I find the engine drain bolt? I'm pretty useless under cars and don't know where to look (a different thead there said by the oil pan?). My manual says there are 2 bolts.
How can I flush all that junk out of my rad? I put a hose in the top and let it run but doesn't that just go straight down the side and out the bottom drain plug?
The coolant looks clean, not dirty or rusty, its just the deposits in the rad and resovoir. Should I buy some rust remover for the system or will just water be OK?
Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
#2
Supreme Member
iTrader: (2)
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,529
Likes: 1
From: Fairhope, AL
Car: 89RS(other cars & pics in vBgarage)
Engine: LO3, 305 TBI Mildly Modified
Transmission: BakerBuilt 700R4 w/B&M Megashifter
Axle/Gears: 3.23 Auburn Pro Series LSD
Re: flushing dirty rad
there is some flush kits at autoparts stores and cleaner you can out in
doubt you will get rust stains out of the tank, they are pretty cheap on ebay may want to look there
as far as i know there is only one "drian" and that on the rad
doubt you will get rust stains out of the tank, they are pretty cheap on ebay may want to look there
as far as i know there is only one "drian" and that on the rad
#3
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,359
Likes: 51
From: Alabama
Car: 87 GTA
Engine: 5.7 TPI
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 3:27 BW 9 bolt
Re: flushing dirty rad
Get some Prestone Super Clean, it's the best thing I have found. Drive around with it in there for an hour or so and you'll be amazed at the amount of rust that comes out. You'll need to flush it with clean water at least 3 or 4 times after that until the water starts looking clear. For the plastic jug, take it out and fill it with hot soapy water and shake it around a bit, it worked for mine.
#4
Re: flushing dirty rad
A bottle brush works good for cleaning the reservoir. There available where you get dish washing supply's (grocery store, WalMart, etc.)
There's actually two water drains on the engine block, one on each side, down low behind the exhaust manifolds. There's probably not much chance of getting to them without major surgery though, and there usually tighter than (insert very strong adjective here). I wouldn't bother with trying to remove them.
There's actually two water drains on the engine block, one on each side, down low behind the exhaust manifolds. There's probably not much chance of getting to them without major surgery though, and there usually tighter than (insert very strong adjective here). I wouldn't bother with trying to remove them.
#5
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 187
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From: Manitoba, Canada
Car: 91 Formula
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: T-5
Axle/Gears: stock
Re: flushing dirty rad
Thanks,
When you say "flush" it out, do you mean fill it with water, run the car, and then drain it out? Because like I said before, if you just stick the hose in the neck of the rad, the water just falls straight down out of the rad drain.
I do have the prestone super clean. The fluid wasn't rusty at all when I drained it, but the rad has a bit of rust in it.
When you say "flush" it out, do you mean fill it with water, run the car, and then drain it out? Because like I said before, if you just stick the hose in the neck of the rad, the water just falls straight down out of the rad drain.
I do have the prestone super clean. The fluid wasn't rusty at all when I drained it, but the rad has a bit of rust in it.
#6
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,359
Likes: 51
From: Alabama
Car: 87 GTA
Engine: 5.7 TPI
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 3:27 BW 9 bolt
Re: flushing dirty rad
You can run the engine while the drain valve is open, just make sure you have equal amount of water going in thats draining out. Do it while the engine is cool obviously. I just stood there with the water hose in it until the water coming out looked clear.
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#8
Re: flushing dirty rad
you can pull the thermostat and run water through the block to clean that...
putting flush kits through the system will remove any rust and deposits due to the detergants that are in these kits. just be aware that remove some of these deposits can also expose pin hole leaks in the system.
putting flush kits through the system will remove any rust and deposits due to the detergants that are in these kits. just be aware that remove some of these deposits can also expose pin hole leaks in the system.
#10
Supreme Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,544
Likes: 10
From: South Carolina
Car: 85 2M6, 87 'Bird 88 'burb
Engine: LX9, LG4, L05
Transmission: F23, 700r4, 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.63, 2.73, 4.10
#11
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 720
Likes: 1
From: League City, TX
Car: 90 Formula -- tot resto in progress
Engine: 350
Transmission: 700R4 w/ 2500 stall, by Owen @ ARD
Axle/Gears: 3.23 posi disc
Re: flushing dirty rad
Leaking drain plug: These are pipe threads, and an easily replacable part
if necessary. Use teflon tape when re-installing. If leaking persists,
tighten about 1/8 turn at a time, until leaking stops.
Rust stain in reservoir: All the above are good products, but if the stain
persists, try CLR (Calcium Lime & Rust Remover), in any plumbing dept..
Good luck,
kk
if necessary. Use teflon tape when re-installing. If leaking persists,
tighten about 1/8 turn at a time, until leaking stops.
Rust stain in reservoir: All the above are good products, but if the stain
persists, try CLR (Calcium Lime & Rust Remover), in any plumbing dept..
Good luck,
kk
#12
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,690
Likes: 16
From: Southern California
Car: 1987 Camaro LT
Engine: LG4 w/ SLP headers & a 3" catback
Transmission: THM700R4 (Stock)
Axle/Gears: Stock 2.73 gears. No Posi
Re: flushing dirty rad
A co worker of mine suggested using that CLR stuff and would remove all the deposist of calcium and rust. Any one tried this yet?
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