ford truck radiator

Has anyone had any luck flushing out a radiator? if so by doing what?

Some more information would be helpful...

What type radiator, year model, size of truck, gas, diesel?

What kind of problem are you having?

Do you suspect it is clogged with calcium, rust?

Or has oil entered the system?

(quoted from post at 12:47:27 04/18/18) Has anyone had any luck flushing out a radiator? if so by doing what?

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I've used one of those flush kits you can buy in the auto parts stores. Prestone, maybe? I think it did a good job of forcing out most of the junk inside the radiator and heater core, but I ultimately replaced the radiator.

Most of the newer (last 25 years or so) vehicles with the aluminum cores and plastic tanks are cheaper to replace than to bother with. Over the last few years, I have had to replace several of this type of radiator for various reasons - mostly leaks. Seems that most fall into the $120 to $200 range for a brand new radiator with a lifetime warranty. You will spend that much messing with the one you have in time and "mechanic in a can" remedies.

1998 ford f-150 small v-8 don't have good heat

Lack of heat? have you flushed your heater core? Have you checked or changed the thermostat? Why would the lack of heat make you believe that the radiator is the problem?
SDE

something quick and dirty to check. remove the radiator cap and run the engine until the t-stat opens. watch for a good coolant flow from the water pump. if the flow is pretty lame, let it cool down, and remove the heater supply hose going to the heater core and have a helper briefly start the engine. there should be a strong flow from the hose. if not, there is a high probability the water pump impeller is worn out from electrolysis. we have seen a number fords do this. the impeller will look like a circular saw blade, all the paddles get eaten away.

Most likely your heater core is half clogged. Take the heater hoses off and flush, back flush, blow the water out with air and then let is soak with some white vinegar for a couple hours before flushing it with water both ways again. Be careful with the high pressure air because a half rotted core might bust a seam and start leaking if you get too rough.


Decent video on how to flush with water:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iK1goWaco2Q


Replacing the heater core in a 1998 F150 is a massive project that books out to 10-12 hours - if its the first time you ever done one plan on it taking double. After two or three you might get it down to 8 hours.

The 94 Ford Ranger had a little access door that made it simple to change the heater core. Too bad it did not carry through to the F150.

(quoted from post at 13:37:00 04/18/18) 1998 ford f-150 small v-8 don't have good heat

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I had a '94 Explorer with that problem....but....the bigger problem was the gas mileage dropped way off as well.

Bad thermostat would not let the engine get up to proper temperature.

I would expect you have a bad thermostat or plugged heater core, not radiator.

Heater cores back flush pretty easy.

Easy way to check heat is as follows:

You should not be able to hold the supply hose to the heater, will be too hot, if not then thermostat issue.

The return hose should be slightly cooler, if cold, then flow is blocked.

They can't make money if the repair is too easy!
Chevy Chevettes and earlier Cadillacs could have the heater core replaced through the engine compartment.

(quoted from post at 05:50:55 04/18/18) Lack of heat? have you flushed your heater core? Have you checked or changed the thermostat? Why would the lack of heat make you believe that the radiator is the problem?
SDE

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SDE, is it even possible to flush a heater core without flushing the radiator at the same time???

I have back flushed heater core 2 or 3 times and it helps but doesn't cure. I feel like the whole system is rusty. Just my opinion

First you need to diagnose your problem, and repair it, then possibly think about a system flush as a maintenance item. Whenever I buy a car I spend a couple weeks alternating white vinegar/distilled water and baking soda/distilled water in the cooling system, then straight distilled water three or four times, then fill with 50% anti-freeze and distilled water. I drain the block as well as the radiator between solutions. I have no lime or corrosion problems after that, and I generally keep a vehicle for a decade or so.

Sounds like the entire system needs to be flushed. When was the last time the coolant was changed? You might also need a new heater core. Never use tap water. Use distilled water and anti-freeze.

You started out asking about flushing out a radiator. Now, it has morphed into a problem with a corroded cooling system and a partially plugged heater core.

First thing. Do not "shoot from the hip" on what you "think" may be the problem. Do some diagnosis first. You will be glad you did. It will save you money.

Second thing. Information. When you asked about flushing a radiator, I answered that question from my own experience that it would probably be better to replace it. Now, the problem becomes something else - like lack of heat.

So, from here, first thing is diagnosis. Condition of coolant. Is it full of rust? If so, a chemical flush is in order. It will help to get the rust out, but will have to be repeated several times to get much result.

Next, is the engine reaching full operating temperature? Warm up the engine with a short drive and stick a thermometer in the radiator. If you are not reaching at least 180 degrees, you probably need a thermostat.

Once you have checked all of that, if there is still an issue with the heat, then it is time to flush the heater core. Not difficult. Best to flush it out in both directions with alternating water and compressed air. You can do it with just water, but blowing it out a couple of times with compressed air will clean it out quicker.

Replacing a heater core is a big job. Some time in the mid 1990s, Ford stopped using the access door that allowed you to remove the heater core through the glove box opening. Most now require removal of the dash with the extra complication of air bags. You really do not want to set off an air bag. Aside from the explosion, they damage almost everything around them in the dash.

Hope this helps to give you a clearer idea of how to deal with this problem.