Best Way to Flush Out Crud in Engine Block ??

RTR

Well-known Member
Bought a Farmall 230 tractor not running because it was leaking at
the water pump. I dissembled it tonight to replace that water pump
and found that the engine block is full of rust and crud. The reactor
has been sitting for 2-3 years. After replacing the water pump I am
going To see if I can start it to see how she runs. I want to flush the
engine block because I've never seen one so nasty before. What is
best way to do this on this particular engine? I'm not wanting to
remove the head if I Can help it. Oh yeah, the water pump was so
worn out that the pulley and Shaft almost came right out of the pump
housing.
a171208.jpg

a171209.jpg

a171210.jpg
 
You might try some Industrial strength vinegar, the 30% strength kind,You better wear eye protection and gloves with that.Google it, or you can get it thru Home Depot, it's a special order item, but they will ship it too your door. They claim it doesn't hurt the O'rings or radiator hoses etc. Good Luck!
 
I would agree, it would seem strong vinegar would eat that rust. If there was only some way to get in there with wire brushes.... I think there will be some residue inside from the iron oxide chunks and flakes falling off from the vinegar. Not so sure how to deal with removing that. Also, once the vinegar is through, you would be recommended to get some corrosion protection antifreeze in there, because the vinegar will remove the iron oxide and leave bare iron, just waiting to immediately start to oxidize again.
 
while you have the water pump off you can look at the small holes between the sleeves and using compressed air and i made a "scrapper" on the end of a piece of threaded rod to pull the junk out of that passage and using stiff wire to clean those holes. Vinegar will get stuff loose. You can always back flush after blowing passages. Need to make a fitting that will go over the lower openingto back flush. Use the lower outlet that was used before the water pump.
 
Before you go too far shove a garden hose in that top hole and let it run out the bottom and start it up now. Make sure you have a good running tractor before you mess around try to clean it. oldiron29
 
Former owner probably changed anti-freeze too often.

Might try a pressure washer, but that might get the
crud tight in small passages.
Jim
 
(quoted from post at 16:36:37 09/07/17) Former owner probably changed anti-freeze too often.

Might try a pressure washer, but that might get the
crud tight in small passages.
Jim

I might try a garden hose from the top and let it run out bottom. I also have a hot water pressure washer I can use. Let me know what you think.
 
Strong white vinegar will work as mentioned. You can also buy phosphoric acid by the gallon for around $30 (I'll have to look at the brand I have at home). I'd lean towards the vinegar first. If you can seal it up and fill it with regular water, putting a block heater in one of the frost plugs and letting it sit for a week or so will work out a lot of gunk. The heat will help break down the rust. Then follow up with vinegar.
 

Do what is needed to get the tractor running. Once you are happy with it, completely drain the radiator and block and refill with vinegar. Run the tractor. Drain it all out and repeat.
 
If I had it apart that far and had a steam cleaner I'd alternate between those two holes until as clean as possible, then put back together, get it running and fill with vinegar.
 
(quoted from post at 04:30:24 09/07/17) Before you go too far shove a garden hose in that top hole and let it run out the bottom and start it up now. Make sure you have a good running tractor before you mess around try to clean it. oldiron29

I'm with oldiron here... get her running first. It'll stink if you spend a day and $$$ then find out it needs a crank or rings and pistons and you vat the block.
 
need a presure washer with lots of pressure and volume. i would throw caustic in it and let it soak with block full of water first . vinegar dont do much on stuff that bad.
 

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Back
Top