Radiator/ block flush

mikewood869 · Nov 17, 2020

Any good way to do a Radiator/ block flush? Pull out the drain plug in the block watch the old antifreeze come out, rinse out the system with water (with the radiator drain plug out), then run the tractor with vinegar and water a few times (until it runs at temp and for a bit), rinse again with water and add antifreeze. Or am I missing something? I have one tractor that is really bad that I think I might need to take the radiator to a shop to get it cleaned.

old · Nov 17, 2020

Straight vinegar NO water then back flush by way of the block drain

casecollectorsc · Nov 17, 2020

Yep, that's the way I do it. Drive them awhile and flush...look like new in the radiator.

Ivan in Mich · Nov 18, 2020

Will this remove any oil in the rad. I have one here I have to clean that had oil in the antifreeze and I think there is still traces of oil in the rad. The block has been cleaned. I have an outdoor woodstove and I thought about hooking a hose up to the drain and back flushing the radiator with the hot water from that

Hdonly · Nov 18, 2020

From my 1952 IH TD6 manual on cleaning cooling system:

Steve@Advance · Nov 18, 2020

The detergent method will do more for oil.

Once it has run long enough to open the thermostat, let it run a while longer at medium speed with the soap still in.

Then hang the garden hose in the radiator, let it run slow to float the oil up and out. Then drain and continue flushing while running until everything runs clear.

You might have to repeat a few times to get it all out. Oil is not good, it attacks hoses and the radiator cap seal.

Removing the thermostat or a bypass or heater hose will let it circulate more vigorously for the final flush.

BarnyardEngineering · Nov 18, 2020

Most radiator shops don't have their "hot tank" anymore due to EPA regulations. All they can do is pressure wash it, which you can do yourself.

4wdtom · Nov 18, 2020

When doing any of this I don't see how it flushes much until the thermostat opens and the flush circulates. Then to get rid of the flush the thermostat would need to be
open to allow it all to drain down. And you don't want to be adding cold flush, clear water flush, or new antifreeze mix to a hot engine. It would seem to do it right one
would need to remove the thermostat for the flushing, allowing the engine to cool before each filling or using heated fill, then put then put the thermostat back in and
after the engine cooled fill it with the new antifreeze.

504 · Nov 18, 2020

With the old 290 Cummins the oil cooler would leak oil into the cooling system. Dawn and the steam washer hose in the radiator neck, and leave it for a couple hours. Repeat as necessary.

matthies · Nov 18, 2020

CAT uses dishwashing powder, but make sure it is dissolved in hot water before putting in engine. If powder is poured in it will cake up and plug.

Radiator/ block flush

mikewood869

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old

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casecollectorsc

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Ivan in Mich

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Hdonly

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Steve@Advance

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BarnyardEngineering

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4wdtom

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504

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matthies

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