Radiator Flush

[fbadmaev]

My local tire shop has a radiator flush machine. I asked him if he could flush my 97 3500. He commented that he could but that he would only use his flushing cleaner and not the one I purchased from Cummins diesel. Would this cause any problems? He also probably doesn't use distilled water to flush.

Last time I flushed I just opened the peacock and emptied as much as possible and refilled with Compleat. Obviously flushing this way doesn't do a complete flush. That's why I think this time I would try to accomplish a total flush.

Thanks

 

[RollOver_Pete]

Try Calgon water softener. Yeah, the stuff mama pours into her bath water. Hard water deposits is what clogs a cooling system. Calgon breaks up these deposits without using acids or solvents and can be left in a radiator for weeks or longer without any damage. I've used this stuff for 27 years in heavy equipment, trucks and any vehicle I've owned. Yesterday I poured a bottle into a 700hp twin turbo V12 Detroit turning a well pump. Today under a full load with the outside temp for both days at 100 deg, my water temp dropped by 20 degs. After a week or so, I'll flush, change t-stats, and refill with a 50-50 mix. BTW, Calgon costs around $5. 00

 

[ANG012]

Your radiator has plastic side tanks with rubber seals and some of the radiator flush will damage the seals. Your big trucks have all metal radiators so you can use a strong flush. After they get done with your flush get them to blow out your cooling system with air and then put your distilled water in. You should pull your radiator out before you have it flushed and clean the cooling fins out. Your fan will suck up a lot of dirt and plug up your radiator in front of your fan opening. You will not believe how much dirt it can collect in three years.

 

[GAmes]

I found that the rubber ring that encircles the t-stat will decompose and detach itself the the metal using chemical flush additives. I now remove the t-stat before I flush the system.

 

[JPereira]

I have read all over the place of only using distilled water. What is the best way to find or make distilled water?



Thanks

 

[GAmes]

In the Army commissary the distilled water is in the same area as the bottled drinking water, about $1 a gallon.

 

[Nate]

Does it actually say distilled water? I thought they meant bottled water when they talked about distilled. :-laf I just use water from the hose.

 

[Joe G.]

You can get distilled water at the grocery store. Yes, it does say distilled water on the bottle. Different stuff than bottled water or spring water.