Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Flushing after Head Gasget

[turbo torque]

I just blew headgasket and have a motor full of gray mayonase. Pulled oil cooler hoping for a miracle fix but, as suspected its the head.



I drained a bucket full of what looked like grease from cooling system. What's the best way to flush this mess out once I'm going agan?



As for T Stat, What would be best? Thanks, Bill

 

[jwilliams3]

You can flush your complete cooling system by linking onto the heater pipe that is screwed into the top of your head with a garden hose.

You will need a garden hose, a garden hose adapter and some heater hose (I forget what size) to link onto the adapter and your heater pipe.

You can use an OEM hose clamp to link on there or a worm style hose clamp that is available everywhere for about 50 cents.

You will however need to open the drain cock at the bottom of your radiator.



Just turn on the hose and let it flush until the drain water is completely clean, it will probably take a couple minutes.

 

[Bob4x4]

electric dishwashing soap works good... ... . not too much foaming,likes heat,and will rinse well Cascade ... ... ... ... ... choice of diesel flushers :-laf



Bob

 

[JFaughn]

What about your oil-crankcase , if coolant got in there you'll need to flush also , becouse the coolant will take the babit off the bearings , at least 2 filters and 2 fills with 2/3 reg. oil & 1/3 auto trans fluid [ high detergent ] , then run till warm up each time then drain and put in your fav. oil.

 

[turbo torque]

Crankcase is fine, I cracked oil drain after sitting 4 days and not a drop of coolant.



I like the idea of garden hose to head but, this stuff is like tar and I can't see it going through that little drain hole on radiator. Won't it flush out the heater hose I take off head? Would TSP (tri sodium phosphate) be to harsh to flush with? Thanks, Bill

 

[TravisG]

tt- where bouts in Central Wisconsin are ya? I am in Stevens Point and just pulled a head off a truck this morning. :{ How can you be positive that there is no coolant in the oil?

 

[turbo torque]

Travis, I'm in Wautoma, 35 mi south. When I pulled the oil cooler there was no sign of coolant, milky residue or anything internal, the outside of the finns were full of airated sludge,as was the block. This muck has the consistency of tar. Its mostly oil. The truck sat for 4-5 days, I loosened oil drain plug and, not one drop of coolant came out. Coolant would settle to the bottom in that time. The oil filter had no sign of coolant either. I,m looking for the best way to get ALL that crap out of cooling system. When I pulled the heater hose the muck was so thick, It would'nt even run out, had to squeeze it out like tooth paste.

 

[DonS]

electric dishwashing soap works good... ... . not too much foaming,likes heat,and will rinse well Cascade ... ... ... ... ... choice of diesel flushers :-laf

The Cascade Complete in my kitchen contains boric acid (up to 5%).

Boric acid attacks cast iron. I'm not sure I'd flush my cooling system with Cascade.



EDIT: Cascade also contains up to 5% KOH. I'd probably want to keep that away from the aluminum components of my cooling system. pH-neutral hot water sounds like the best "solution".

 

[TravisG]

I work in Necedah and take 21 the other way everyday.



I didn't think about the coolant settling to the bottom. Duh. I am not sure how we are going to get all the oil out of the radiator. All I know is that it is everywhere. Good luck w/ the h. g.

 

[Jetpilot]

I use liquid ALL laundry detergent... .

 

[Bob4x4]

The Cascade Complete in my kitchen contains boric acid (up to 5%).

Boric acid attacks cast iron. I'm not sure I'd flush my cooling system with Cascade.



EDIT: Cascade also contains up to 5% KOH. I'd probably want to keep that away from the aluminum components of my cooling system. pH-neutral hot water sounds like the best "solution".

Recommended by Cummins as well... ... . have you ever read ingredients in commercial coolant flushes?



Bob

 

[turbo torque]

Thanks again for the input. I''ll be tearing it down tomorrow, got studs and 14 cm housing comming from Rip @Source Automotive. Thats about all the turbo up grade I can afford right now.

From the info I've read I think I'll stay away from cascade, The liquid All is what I think I'll try,this stuff is like tar,can"t imagine ever getting rid of all of it, we'll see.

Bill.

 

[Jetpilot]

Bill,



Give me a call tomorrow and I will walk you through how we do it.....



Doug

717-557-7060