Radiator Cleaning And Coolant Flush
#1
Radiator Cleaning And Coolant Flush
I pulled my Rad out of the truck, replaced the thermostat to a 180 deg (part number 3967195) and flushed the block and heater core. I have to say that my temps were getting above 204 deg while pulling my 20' enclosed car hauler. I had a 190 deg t-stat in there. When I pulled it out, the rubber diaphragm had cratered and disintegrated; it was in my Rad when I back flushed it.
The Rad was caked with crud on the front side. I even have my breather relocated to the trackbar. I will post pics of it just after I started to wash it down. I washed it with degreaser 4 times and also used an entire can of brake cleaner on it.
I re-filled the cooling system with Fleetguard ES Compleat 50/50 premix (part number CC2825X). 4.5 Gallons is what it took.
Pulling the rad was pretty easy. Un-clip the shroud, take the overflow tank off and the window fluid tank off, undo the 4 bolts (2 on each side), take the pos battery cable off the top of the rad, 2 bolts that hold the rad to the front clip, and take out. I recommend 2 people lifting it out.
The Rad was caked with crud on the front side. I even have my breather relocated to the trackbar. I will post pics of it just after I started to wash it down. I washed it with degreaser 4 times and also used an entire can of brake cleaner on it.
I re-filled the cooling system with Fleetguard ES Compleat 50/50 premix (part number CC2825X). 4.5 Gallons is what it took.
Pulling the rad was pretty easy. Un-clip the shroud, take the overflow tank off and the window fluid tank off, undo the 4 bolts (2 on each side), take the pos battery cable off the top of the rad, 2 bolts that hold the rad to the front clip, and take out. I recommend 2 people lifting it out.
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busta (09-14-2008)
#4
Leaving it overnight would be a good idea if you have the time. I just don't have the time to leave it overnight.
I am glad I did it. I highly recommend doing it to your truck if it is over a few years old and especially if you haven't done anything with your blow-by tube.
I am glad I did it. I highly recommend doing it to your truck if it is over a few years old and especially if you haven't done anything with your blow-by tube.
#7
I suppose it depends on the pressure washer. If you kept the nozzle far enough away It would be ok.
#9
i work on farm equipment and i pressure wash all radiators i touch. set pressure washer to 500-1000 psi, use a 10-25 degree nozzle and stay generaly pointed square to the surface so u dont bend the fins. usualy takes a couple hrs to get a bad one perfect but well worth the effort. can go from seriously overheating over nothin to billowin black all day and never movin the temp gauge