Cleaning block and head

David G

Well-known Member
I have the radiator out on a tractor, the antifreeze is slimy, as is the inside of block and head. I thought I might pull thermostat out of housing and fill engine up with something to let is soak. What would you recommend to use?

Thanks,.
 
A gallon of vinegar. Drain the block if it isn't. put in the vinegar (type doesn't matter), fill with water, run to warm , then an hour. Jim
 
Not sure what the slime could be. Probably harmless, could be the result of mixing incompatible antifreeze.

Like Hobo says, use only water. Any kind of cleaner could come back to haunt you, especially if some remained behind and lowered the PH level. It could also finish of an already thin freeze plug or radiator.

You can either temporarily remove the thermostat or remove a bypass hose to allow vigorous circulation of water. Start it up with the radiator and block drains open, hang the water hose in the radiator, adjust the flow so as much is going in as is coming out, let it run full governed speed for several minutes after the flow clears up.

Let everything drain, put the thermostat back in/replace the hose connection.

Then fill with antifreeze and distilled water.
 

What he said save the vinegar to clean the inside of your refrigerator with. You can do it with the radiator out with the engine running hot water is hard to beat.
 
Well what I have used for years is Draino. It is a strong alkali. I usually use it in engines that are running. I put it in and run the motor until it is warm. Then let it set for a hour or so. I then drain it out and flush with clean water a few times. This will remove any oil film and left over additives from any old antifreeze.
 
Slime in water is normally a form of algae. Clorox or any household bleach is a good remover of most form of algae. It will not eat rust but is used safely in wells to remove the form of algae that causes odors in your water systems. When I had a lake house I used it on my sea wall to keep it free of that form of slime. Drinking fountains in my factory would get a form of slime in the drains that could be cleared with Clorox bleach. It would be worth a try in a tractor and its radiator.
 

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