Plugged Radiator Cleaner?

altmodisch · Dec 7, 2012

Bought an old tractor been setting for 10 years drained, dry rusted dirty radiator inside. Got tractor running and the antifreeze won"t circulate through the radiator. What can I use to clean it?
Thanks

rustred · Dec 7, 2012

some people use vinegar, but when they are plugged that bad its time for a caustic soaking at the rad shop.
it will also be pressure tested and leaks fixed and painted.

Anonymous-0 · Dec 7, 2012

I had a similar problem with an old GMC and I took the radiator out and flushed it at both ends
with the garden hose. Cleaned out tons of rust and sediment, took about an hour and the water was running clear. End of problem.

gene bender · Dec 7, 2012

I would remove it plug the bottom then fill with vinegar and let it soak for a while then backflush. Mite try to backflush first. You can always go to a rad shop later.

uncle henry · Dec 7, 2012

if it don't have a water pump you won't see it moving

rustred · Dec 7, 2012

also should say what tractor you have, cause if its an oldie then can just remove the top and lower tanks and "rod" it to clean it.

Walt Davies · Dec 7, 2012

I went Wally World and bought a bottle of Iron Out. It's in the hardware section. Fill with water then add about 2 cups of the
Iron Out let it run for about two hours and then flush with clean water.
Walt

Stephen Newell · Dec 7, 2012

A person can get a radiator flush to maintain a radiator but if its actually plugged I would take it off the tractor and take it to a radiator shop to have it professionally flushed. The do it yourself stuff isn't very good.

MeAnthony · Dec 8, 2012

This came up a while back, one reply was to use lye, another said to use muratic acid.

Heater core is partially plugged in my truck, '95 Dodge, apparently it's a real pain to change. I heated water to near boiling, poured it into a windshield washer fluid jug, added about 1/2 a bottle of lye, stuck a funnel in heater core hose, poured it in and let sit for about 20 minutes. Flushed both ways with a garden hose, it's not 100% but it did seem to help a bit. No leaks from under the dash yet, so it couldn't have been too harsh for the seams/joints in the heater core.

I'm going to try the lye again, maybe let it sit overnight this time. If that doesn't work, I'll try the acid for 10 minutes or so. Don't really see that I have anything to lose, either heater core is plugged and I have to replace it or attempting to clean it will ruin seams/make it leak and I'll have to replace it. At least I'll gain some knowledge as to what cleaning method works.

HTH,

Anthony

Leroy · Dec 8, 2012

What make and model? Water plmp? Some models without a water pump need a special way of filling to get circulation and heat is what makes the circulation. I would like said first remove ans use the garden hose in from both ends and if that doesn't work the shop will more likely be willing to try to clean it otherwise they will just say to bad and you will have to get a new radiator. The better you have it looking the more apt they will work with you. And just soaking in plain white (cheapest) vinigar while if not doing the complete job can help get it to where the shop will work on it.

Plugged Radiator Cleaner?

altmodisch

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rustred

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Anonymous-0

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gene bender

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uncle henry

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rustred

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Walt Davies

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Stephen Newell

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MeAnthony

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Leroy

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