Vinegar Radiator Cleaner?

altmodisch · Dec 8, 2012

Want to try the vinegar cleaner on this old rusted plugged 460 radiator. What do I need to do? What kind of Vinegar? How Much? How long do you leave it in?
Thanks!

60 acre hillside · Dec 8, 2012

I have no idea about it but there may be commercial products more effective and lower in cost. Your car may smell like pickles as you drive around

RickieBlue · Dec 8, 2012

Years ago at a clinic for Cat engines, they recommended automatic dishwasher detergent to clean cooling systems. They recommended 1 cup dumped in and run through with the coolant. I would think white vinegar would work just as well as in a coffee pot. Vinegar is of course a mild acid and will dissolve mineral deposits and automatic dishwashing detergent is caustic and would help remove oily contamination. I would use at least 1 gallon and make sure you slosh it from the bottom tank and back through the core to the top tank many times. After an hour or so I would think it will get neutralized as it performs its magic, dump it and start it over again with a fresh gallon. Let us know how it works out for you.

gene bender · Dec 8, 2012

I first would backflush then drain and plug the bottom and fill with vinegar let it set for a couple days then drain and see what i get. Lots of times when the radiator is off the vehickle just taking off the cap and hoses and let it dry then by shaking lots can fall out. Even if they arent plugged while im working on the engine i will remove the radiator and always seem to get stuff out of the bottom. But i do fill with the vinegar and backflush before installing.

Bill in IL · Dec 8, 2012

My experience has been vinegar will dissolve mineral deposits but in a bad radiator you are wasting your time. You need to get it to a shop and have it rodded out.

BCnT · Dec 8, 2012

i've used 10% vinegar and filled cooling system to the top...let it soak overnite and ran it next day for about an hour or until engine overheats...results have been so-so...if its just mineral deposits the vinegar does ok...for an older farm tractor,theres a chance of dirty water being added out in the field...only way to get the mud out is with rodding.

Anonymous-0 · Dec 8, 2012

The dish washing setergent is more for getting the oil out of the system from an oil cooler failure or head gasket failure. chris

greygoat · Dec 8, 2012

Vinegar, being acidic, will help disolve lime
type minerals. At Diesel School, in the 1960's
they said to use "Washing Soda", found in the
detergent isle. It's worked very well for me,
I can't believe the crud that comes out when
flushing, after running engine till hot, with
washing soda.

old · Dec 8, 2012

You use the common white vinegar 100% run the engine for an hour or so and since it would a waste of fuel use it to work and really do something. Then rig up a block drain garden hose hook up and back flush the system. Bad time of year to do it due to the cold weather but let it back flush at least an hour

J.Wondergem · Dec 8, 2012

Old has it. Use white vinegar and water, 50/50. After it's clean, use distilled, or soft water and antifreeze, 50/50.

Vinegar Radiator Cleaner?

altmodisch

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60 acre hillside

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RickieBlue

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gene bender

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Bill in IL

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BCnT

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Anonymous-0

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greygoat

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old

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J.Wondergem

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