Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) can you use diesel in cooling system to get oil out safely?

[MDW]

Just a question. we are trying to get oil completely out of cooling system, and this thought ran across the table... Anyone have any input? By the way, this is not just a small amount of oil, rather the whole system is a sort of sludge..... I have some chemical from FLEETGUARD, but I do not believe it is made for circumstances like this. What do y'all think?

 

[RustyJC]

Mike,



To break up oil, a detergent might be better. Have you tried the dishwasher soap method yet?



Rusty

 

[MDW]

Just got off the phone with Piers and he had the same suggestion.



Thanks Rusty

 

[Lsfarm]

Diesel in cooling system

I would recommend trying some diesel fuel on the gunk that is contaminating your cooling system, it may cut the gunk really fast or not touch it hardly at all. Then check to see if the detergent cuts the gunk any better/faster.



There is a problem with detergent in the cooling system, it is pretty hard to completely remove the detergent and it can cause some foaming even after numerous rinses of the system.



If you use diesel to clean the system, you may need to follow up with dilute detergent anyway to rinse the diesel out of the system. .



Back when ethylene glycol anitfreeze wasn't available and the antifreeze then available evaporated, some folks used diesel during the winter as a coolant. It worked ok, but doesn't tranfer heat as well as water/glycol.



Hope this helps. Greg L. The Noise Nazi

 

[JGheen]

How did you get oil in your coolant system? Did I miss something here?

 

[britannic]

Are the heater and radiator hoses able to handle diesel for extended periods? Obviously, you wouldn't want a coolant to piston combustion side leak :--) .

 

[JohnE]

Make sure to fix the oil leak before attempting the clean out.



Local Cummins shop uses floor detergent to clean the mess from a blown oil cooler. Low suds and cuts the heavy mess.



I really hesitate to recomend dishwasher soap. That stuff has a lot of grit added for scrubbing dishes. Then again, it may be the slickest thing since a dishwasher... ... ...

 

[supersonic]

After Blowing every one of six head gaskets in my street truck (you'd think i'd learned after two) I used dawn dishwashing liquid. Now let me be clear, I mean dawn and only dawn "period". Dawn is the only detergent to get rid of all the oil in my coolant system every time. When you'r ready to fill it back up the first time mix a heavy concetratiom of soap in HOT water in a bucket like for every gal. of water put about half cup of soap. then run the truck and run the heater full blast. let it warm up and dump out the water. What comes out will still be pretty nasty so you might want to catch it in a drain pan. Run a couple more batches through it, while bringing the concentration down. on the fourth flush just use hot water. then you;r ready to fill up with regular coolant and have a nice day!

 

[Deezul1]

The most awsome oil cleaner I have used that is not petro based is Castrol Super Clean. I sprayed it on my transmission after a major engine oil leak and then hosed it off and the trans rusted. Wally world has it in gal jugs that are bright purple for around $4