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vinegar for cleaning calcium out of radiator ? #1288838
08/20/12 10:48 PM
08/20/12 10:48 PM
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 110
S.E. WI
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allmopar Offline OP
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allmopar  Offline OP
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S.E. WI
I have my radiator out of my car laying on the ground and I had filled it with vinegar to remove the white calcium buildup at the ends of the cooling tubes. After soaking for a week the calcium buildup is soft but it did not disolve.
Is there something better to use ? Lemmon juice with the vinegar ?
(the engine is out right now being rebuilt )

Re: vinegar for cleaning calcium out of radiator ? [Re: allmopar] #1288839
08/20/12 11:35 PM
08/20/12 11:35 PM
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Posts: 36,041
Lincoln Nebraska
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RapidRobert Offline
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Lincoln Nebraska
I'd turn the rad upside down & reverse flush it hard in that nipple with a garden hose/nozzle but I'm afraid it's going to take something more caustic than vinegar.


live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth
Re: vinegar for cleaning calcium out of radiator ? [Re: RapidRobert] #1288840
08/21/12 12:22 AM
08/21/12 12:22 AM
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 236
upstate, New York
jvcuda Offline
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upstate, New York
Why not just take it to a local radiator shop and have them clean it. They can also pressure test it for any leaks.
just my .02 worth....

john

Re: vinegar for cleaning calcium out of radiator ? [Re: jvcuda] #1288841
08/21/12 08:44 PM
08/21/12 08:44 PM
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 25
Glendora, CA
MYBD318 Offline
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Posts: 25
Glendora, CA
I use CLR


Still a teen just a 416
Re: vinegar for cleaning calcium out of radiator ? [Re: MYBD318] #1288842
08/22/12 07:34 AM
08/22/12 07:34 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,735
North Dakota
6PakBee Offline
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Posts: 10,735
North Dakota
The problem with acid cleaning anything is getting the acid on the surface. Any kind of grease, oil, etc. prevents this from happening. That's why the old time radiator flushes started with a caustic solution, removes all the petroleum products. As a substitute I'd try washing it out with a strong solution of Dawn dishwashing soap to get it squeaky clean and then hit it with some type of acid for the deposits. CLR sounds like a good choice.


"We live in a time when intelligent people are being silenced so that stupid people won't be offended".
Re: vinegar for cleaning calcium out of radiator ? [Re: allmopar] #1288843
08/22/12 10:27 AM
08/22/12 10:27 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 17,876
S.E. Michigan
ZIPPY Offline
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S.E. Michigan
The main issue is...that is not calcium.

It is solder bloom, caused by corrosion of dissimilar metals and is really difficult to remove.

Google "radiator solder bloom" for more info


Rich H.

Esse Quam Videri










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