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Cleaning a used radiator.. suggestions?

dajeepster

dajeepster

Golden Member
i just recently aquired a used thermochill PA120.3 radiator. it looks like there's a white residue inside the radiator.

does anyone have any suggestions/tips on cleaning this puppy before i use it in my loop?

thanks in advance.

-jeep
 
I'm speaking as far as new rads go, which I still flush. First I run hot tap water thru for about 20-30 mins. I have a connection that screws onto faucet with a barb on it so that made it easy.

After that, fill it full with distilled water and half cup to a cup of vinegar. Top it off and let it sit for 20-30 minutes, not too long or the copper inside will start dissolving into the vinegar. Well, a little of that will happen anyway, when you dump the water out, it will have changed color slightly to a bluish tint, signifying dissolved copper. Some people won't use vinegar because of that, but a little like I described is ok.

After that just fill it half full with distilled and close both ports, then swish it around in there for a minute or so. Dump out water into a clear container so you can see what's in there, you'll likely see little specks. Repeat until its clean enough for you.
 
prestone super rad flush from an autostore works good too.
prestone_super_radiator_flush.png

if your going to go the vinegar route... make sure you flush with water quickly, and then plug up the holes right away after u let it soak in vinager... and dont let it soak too long.
 
I think that you are wanting to remove lime or calcium deposits so "CLR" should work as that is what is normally used with or for home products (ie, it's safe).
 
C1 said:
I think that you are wanting to remove lime or calcium deposits so "CLR" should work as that is what is normally used with or for home products (ie, it's safe).
Click to expand...

now why would u have lime and calcium deposits when your using straight distilled and some with added glycol?

are u guys saying you use tap water when we highly recommend one dont?
 
Bummer... sounds like the previous owner did not used distilled or did not maintain his loop, or both. Like mentioned above, some CLR or Lime-Away will do the trick.

After that I would rinse very thoroughly with regular tap water to remove all the CLR or Lime-Away. Give a final few rinses with distilled only before the final install and fill.
 
dajeepster said:
i just recently aquired a used thermochill PA120.3 radiator. it looks like there's a white residue inside the radiator.

does anyone have any suggestions/tips on cleaning this puppy before i use it in my loop?

thanks in advance.

-jeep
Click to expand...

I have a Radiator shop 2 blocks away . So I until recently took even new rads there to be steam cleaned . After words I fill with venegar don't leave in long tho . 10 min max.
 
Last edited:
billyb0b said:
Bummer... sounds like the previous owner did not used distilled or did not maintain his loop, or both. Like mentioned above, some CLR or Lime-Away will do the trick.

After that I would rinse very thoroughly with regular tap water to remove all the CLR or Lime-Away. Give a final few rinses with distilled only before the final install and fill.
Click to expand...

Actually this is common them with those rads . They don't clean them well or at all to remove resins
 
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