The best Radiator Cooling system flush??

[skytracker]

What do you guys think the best radiator/cooling system flush is??
This tractor sat for quite some time before this and has been up and running only the last month or so.

i would like to get all the crud possible out and clear.

I have been having overheat issues with my Ford 3000 gas tractor and systematically fixing everything related.
I need to have this running good now, then if needed later on I can pull the radiator to have repaired/baked/cleaned etc...

It seems to have decent flow but it builds alot of pressure on the suction side and was collapsing the lower hose. Replaced with a reinforced one.
Any suggestions are appreciated.

 

[mikehaugen]

I bought a bottle of the prestone "radiator flush" because I was going to use it on my '03 impala because the wife bought and put green anti-freeze into the dex-cool not knowing any better! I happened to read in the service manual not to use any kind of chemical flush. Not sure if it is a GM thing or what with the dexcool or what. It was summer so I flushed with water then filled with distilled and ran for about a month, then flushed and refilled with distilled... and did this about 3 times before winter. Still have a couple bottles of it and am afraid to use it on anything without more research. I think the fear is that it will be bad for the seals/ gaskets.

 

[skytracker]

I did something similar on the tractor. Flushed with a hose then filled with distilled and coolant mix.
But I am still having gradual overtemp issues.
I was wondering if there might be something others have had good experience with that may be better and not
hurt the system on a 40 year old tractor.

 

[ray66v]

The best flush is take the radiator to a radiator shop, and let them boil it out. :thumbsup:

They will also pressure test it when they are done, and put a new coat of paint on it.

 

[boomer1025]

The best flush is take the radiator to a radiator shop, and let them boil it out. :thumbsup:

They will also pressure test it when they are done, and put a new coat of paint on it.

I agree, take it to a radiator shop

 

[JD 4520]

The best flush is take the radiator to a radiator shop, and let them boil it out. :thumbsup:

They will also pressure test it when they are done, and put a new coat of paint on it.

Agree with this as it may be way more than fluid if the radiator is 40 years old. It could be flushed and almost new. You will be impressed. They will also confirm that the radiator is in good working condition which will be nice to know.

 

[Soundguy]

i'd run a gallon or 2 of vinegar thru it.. then some prestone flusgh.. see what happens... less than 10$ invested..

 

[jenkinsph]

i'd run a gallon or 2 of vinegar thru it.. then some prestone flusgh.. see what happens... less than 10$ invested..

^^^^^^^ me too.

 

[skytracker]

I will definitely try the vinegar and then the prestone. I plan on pulling the radiator but right now I need to get some work done before we have much snow on the ground up here in the North.
Thank you all for the replies and suggestions. I will try it tomorrow and let you know.

John

 

[flusher]

i'd run a gallon or 2 of vinegar thru it.. then some prestone flusgh.. see what happens... less than 10$ invested..

I drained the radiator on my 1949 JD B. The coolant looks pretty good, but I want to flush the system anyway. The user manual recommends 1 lb of washing soda (sodium carbonate) per gallon of water to flush. Anyone out there tried this? Results? Problems?

BTW: had a heck of a time getting the coolant drain plug removed (rusted and apparently tighted by a lowland gorilla the last time the system was serviced). Finally got it off with my impact wrench and 29 mm socket. Found stainless steel plugs the same size for about $5 each. That should help with the rust problem.

 

[Soundguy]

i'd use brass plugs. stainless galls baddly.

ps.. a b likely hasno water pump.. mine doesn't.

makes them harder to flush.. you just have to fill then let set then backflush with a hose...

 

[flusher]

i'd use brass plugs. stainless galls baddly.

ps.. a b likely hasno water pump.. mine doesn't.

makes them harder to flush.. you just have to fill then let set then backflush with a hose...

Good idea--I'll find the right size brass plug.
Water pump: my B has a thermosyphon cooling system.

 

[Soundguy]

yep.. thermo = no pump...

 

[skytracker]

The vinegar flush worked great for me. That along with cleaning my plugged thermostat. And taking care of intake issues fixed my overheating problem.

Thanks Soundguy and everyone for your suggestions.

John

 

[The kid]

I have used Muriatic Acid to give a good flush. I removed the radiator completely. Put the cap back on it. Closed drain cock. Made a mixture of 2/3 gallon water to 1/3 gallon of Muriatic Acid. Take duct tape and seal upper hose inlet. Pore in mixture and tape up lower end. Slosh the gallon of mixture back and forth for about five minutes and pore out into plastic bucket. Flush radiator good with water. Neutralize acid with baking soda and dispose. I've cleaned out some really cruddy radiators this way. Wear gloves and eye protection please.

 

[Soundguy]

hard on anything other than iron though..

 

[The kid]

hard on anything other than iron though..

Maybe I failed to mention doing it for only five minutes. Maybe I failed to mention the word "diluted". Don't the radiator shops use acid to "boil" them out? The diluted MA is used to disolve hard water deposits inside. Someone mentioned vinegar. Vinegar is a mild acid is it not. Maybe using LimeAway for those that are afraid of MA. MA may be hard on many things, but I was just cleaning the radiator with diluted mixture. It was five minutes and got excellent results. Your milage may vary.

EDIT: If you have an aluminum radiator, I suggest not using diluted MA.

 

[Swonky]

I will definitely try the vinegar and then the prestone. I plan on pulling the radiator but right now I need to get some work done before we have much snow on the ground up here in the North.
Thank you all for the replies and suggestions. I will try it tomorrow and let you know.

John

do i drain the old antifreeze and just run vinegar by its self or drain it and add 2 gallons of vinegar then fill rest with water?
ive never had my allis chalmers over heat just doing work around the house with bucket on front, but i just baught a 5 foot rear mower for it and it takes alittle bit for it to start over heating, i was told to run mower at 3/4 engine speed and grass wasnt long, i find it hard to believe my tractor cant handle the mower. any ideas? thank you

 

[newbury]

do i drain the old antifreeze and just run vinegar by its self or drain it and add 2 gallons of vinegar then fill rest with water?
ive never had my allis chalmers over heat just doing work around the house with bucket on front, but i just baught a 5 foot rear mower for it and it takes alittle bit for it to start over heating, i was told to run mower at 3/4 engine speed and grass wasnt long, i find it hard to believe my tractor cant handle the mower. any ideas? thank you

Welcome aboard
This was a 6 year old thread, you might not get many responses. I suggest you start a new one.

 

[Swonky]

do i drain the old antifreeze and just run vinegar by its self or drain it and add 2 gallons of vinegar then fill rest with water?
ive never had my allis chalmers over heat just doing work around the house with bucket on front, but i just baught a 5 foot rear mower for it and it takes alittle bit for it to start over heating, i was told to run mower at 3/4 engine speed and grass wasnt long, i find it hard to believe my tractor cant handle the mower. any ideas? thank you