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Cleaning inside aluminum radiator #693920
05/10/10 12:29 PM
05/10/10 12:29 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 754
Longview, Texas
marvo451 Offline OP
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marvo451  Offline OP
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Longview, Texas
What is the best way to clean the gunk out of an all aluminum radiator? There is some brown oily feeling residue inside the tanks from when the main webbing and cylinder cracked?

Re: Cleaning inside aluminum radiator [Re: marvo451] #693921
05/10/10 12:37 PM
05/10/10 12:37 PM
Joined: Jun 2003
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Romeo MI
MR_P_BODY Offline
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Romeo MI
The acid type cleaning stuff but make sure you use
the neutralizer also

Re: Cleaning inside aluminum radiator [Re: marvo451] #693922
05/10/10 12:42 PM
05/10/10 12:42 PM
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 8,828
Ontario, Canada
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Stanton Offline
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Ontario, Canada
Using anything like that is like thinking mouthwash is a substitute for toothpaste.

That crud doesn't just dissolve for you to rinse away, it needs to be brushed to get rid of it all. Good luck with that.

Re: Cleaning inside aluminum radiator [Re: Stanton] #693923
05/10/10 01:42 PM
05/10/10 01:42 PM
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organ
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maximum entropy Offline
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we cut them open, rod them out, and weld them back together. find a good radiator shop that can weld aluminum. sometimes they can be improved with compressed air and water (backflush).


for what is the good life if not doing things thoughtfully?
Re: Cleaning inside aluminum radiator [Re: maximum entropy] #693924
05/11/10 07:56 AM
05/11/10 07:56 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 754
Longview, Texas
marvo451 Offline OP
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BTT...any more ideas?

Re: Cleaning inside aluminum radiator [Re: marvo451] #693925
05/11/10 08:07 AM
05/11/10 08:07 AM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 8,027
Mt Morris Michigan
mopar dave Offline
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i'd try dumping a cemical in there to desolve it, like gasoline or diesel. let it soak a few days,just rinse it well when your done. anythings worth a try at this point.

Re: Cleaning inside aluminum radiator [Re: marvo451] #693926
05/11/10 08:17 AM
05/11/10 08:17 AM
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 8,647
ELYRIA,OH
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blownzoom440 Offline
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Quote:

BTT...any more ideas?



i cant realy evaluate the condition without seing it[picture]but for a cost effective method there is a cleaning product sold at the $ store called mean grean in a qt spray bottle for 2$ a bottle.get 2 of them put them in not diluted and tape some plastic on all the openings and shake.you will be suprised.

Re: Cleaning inside aluminum radiator [Re: marvo451] #693927
05/11/10 08:33 AM
05/11/10 08:33 AM
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 28,312
Cincinnati, Ohio
Challenger 1 Offline
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Cincinnati, Ohio
I believe hot water would be effective. Maybe some simple green or some degreaser. Hot water will get rid of most of the oil, imo.

I would NOT use radiator cleaner from a parts store as it's not made for aluminum radiators, say so right on the bottle.


Re: Cleaning inside aluminum radiator [Re: Challenger 1] #693928
05/11/10 09:00 AM
05/11/10 09:00 AM
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 11,678
W. Kentucky
justinp61 Offline
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W. Kentucky
Mean Green is pretty good but Purple Power is the best water soluble I've used. I get mine from Advance Auto Parts.

Re: Cleaning inside aluminum radiator [Re: marvo451] #693929
05/11/10 09:38 AM
05/11/10 09:38 AM
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,131
New Lenox IL
cudadon Offline
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New Lenox IL
Quote:

BTT...any more ideas?




On Horse Power TV this Sat. they said mix equal parts vinegar and water, let sit and rinse. Could use it with the rad. in the car to clean the block too. Then use FILTERED water NOT distilled water and put some Prestone anti rust in.
Works on coffee makers. Except the Prestone part! Don

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Re: Cleaning inside aluminum radiator [Re: cudadon] #693930
05/11/10 11:21 AM
05/11/10 11:21 AM
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 6,257
acworth / N. georgia - south e...
cheapstreetdustr Offline
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x2 on the 50/50 vinegar and water.
or if you can get it..50/50 beet juice and water
both will take an enourmous amount of crud out.
let it soak...
or cycle if you have an electric water pump with the t-stat out..
on the refill definately distilled water.. $0.99 at the grocery store for a gallon.
fwiw.
cheapst.


365" Iron J heads,,3480lbs best 1.39 60ft on SS springs.10.54,124 mph ...6.67 1/8th et.average 60fts 1.46 w/ small cam &.063 no2 pill tagged & insured
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Re: Cleaning inside aluminum radiator [Re: cheapstreetdustr] #693931
05/11/10 11:48 AM
05/11/10 11:48 AM
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,288
Oregon
sg66mopar Offline
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Oregon
Why not distilled water?

Re: Cleaning inside aluminum radiator [Re: sg66mopar] #693932
05/11/10 07:46 PM
05/11/10 07:46 PM
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,131
New Lenox IL
cudadon Offline
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New Lenox IL
Quote:

Why not distilled water?




Distilled water is completely devoid of any minerals. So it will leach aluminum from rad, heads etc. Iron from block etc. It will leach=eat your metals to equalize the solution.
FILTERED water will be clean enough but not cause leaching. Don

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