Graham Man Posted September 6, 2011 Share Posted September 6, 2011 I have a 1933 8 cylinder I was bringing back from the dead. Power washed out the block (with water plate off) cooked the radiator, rebuilt the water pump cleaned out the head (aluminum). That was two years ago 500 miles maybe. I pulled the upper radiator hose to check a small water leak and discovered the inside of the hose covered with what I think is dirt/rust? It wipes right off but it is 1/16 inch thick. I was using water with water pump lubricant added. Would like to clean it out any suggestions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest rsd9699 Posted September 7, 2011 Share Posted September 7, 2011 I would expect most water pump lubricants to be soluble oil. The oil clings to everything every place - hoses - radiators - blocks and heads and collects all the trash in the system.Water dissolves aluminum.Clean it out good and use good antifreeze with the proper corrosion inhibitors in it.Ron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Man Posted September 7, 2011 Author Share Posted September 7, 2011 I had a leak in the head gasket and did not want to risk losing the engine with antifreeze. My plan is to put in good antifreeze after I replace the gasket. The comment about the soluble oil makes sense. You would think if you could use a detergent it would loosen up the paste and you could flush it out but if I remember correctly soap is not a good thing in the system?I was hoping someone has successfully flushed a system? I remember kits being available but I did not see any at the auto parts store, hoping for a home system. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen_Dyneto Posted September 7, 2011 Share Posted September 7, 2011 You might want to try some oxalic acid to solubilize the loose rust. After flushing, follow up with sodium carbonate to neutralize any residual acid. This is the same chemistry as the old DuPont No. 7 heavy duty cooling system cleaner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hchris Posted September 8, 2011 Share Posted September 8, 2011 Whatever you do whilst clearing out the muck, put a filter in the upper radiator hose to catch the inevitable loose crud floating around the cooling system, otherwise you will just finished up with a clogged radiator. Even a leg from her nylon stockings will do the trick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest rsd9699 Posted September 8, 2011 Share Posted September 8, 2011 That is a tuff call. I would flush - use antifreeze with a sealer rather than having the aluminum slowly dissovled away. I do not think I would use oxalic acid with an aluminum head. All cast iron - yes but not the combo.Soap will likely dry the water pump seal. Filtering has its pros and cons depending on the distance you want to travel - could plug up away from home.Ron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Man Posted September 8, 2011 Author Share Posted September 8, 2011 I was just was reading some stuff where poeple spliced in filters to the heater hoses. Got me thinking you could buy one of those 5 micron home water filters and plumb it in line with you heater hose. Just run it till the system is clean... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty_OToole Posted September 8, 2011 Share Posted September 8, 2011 How about CLR calcium lime rust remover from the hardware store? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest rsd9699 Posted September 9, 2011 Share Posted September 9, 2011 The water filter is a good idea if it will stand the heat - pressure is not an issue here.Ron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Man Posted September 9, 2011 Author Share Posted September 9, 2011 I picked up one of the culagan type filters it is about 12 inches tall, 5 micron, $15 total cost. It comes with 3/4 inch NPT threads, picked two adapters to 5/8 hose. The plan is to hang it from the radiator support bar temporally and connect it to the heater hose. I am not worried about the cartridge taking the heat but the nylon polyester fibers of the filter are what worries me. Everything says it should be good to 300F easy. The best part is if the filter plugs up I can still get home, and the filters are only $2 each. When the hose is only warm it is time for a new filter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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