[prostreet64]

There are no old school radiator shops in Gainesville anymore. I would like to have the build-up in my aluminum radiator cleaned out and was wondering if anyone has tried to do this at a machine shop that can put it in a hot tank? And would that even work?

[todden8]

I think hot water will work. Maybe add some degreaser like Purple Power.

[ZeGermanHam]

Seems unlikely that trying to fill it with hot water at home will do anything to remove the deposit buildup, since hot water is what they have in them when in use to begin with, albeit with some coolant mixed in.

prostreet64: I'd just widen your search. I find it hard to imagine that there is nobody within an hour's drive that can clean a radiator.

[RAIV55]

The problem I can see is the stuff that desolves calcium deposits & alum. oxide is the same stuff that desolves aluminum radiators. Anode rods are supposed to prevent the problem.

[JSchmitz]

Try some Cascade dishwashing detergent. Lay it flat with the cap on. Pour in some Cascade and then some boiling hot water. Let it set for a day and rinse it out good.

[prostreet64]

Thanks for the suggestions. I did find one shop in Ocala that can do a conventional boil out but they charge between $110 and $200 depending on how bad the buildup is. I only paid $170 for the radiator brand new and I suppose at that price it could be considered a 'throw away' whenever a new one is needed. I might try the Cascade and boiling water method before ordering a new radiator.

[JSchmitz]

Originally Posted by prostreet64

Thanks for the suggestions. I did find one shop in Ocala that can do a conventional boil out but they charge between $110 and $200 depending on how bad the buildup is. I only paid $170 for the radiator brand new and I suppose at that price it could be considered a 'throw away' whenever a new one is needed. I might try the Cascade and boiling water method before ordering a new radiator.

Yep. I'm afraid they are pretty much disposable. Good luck!

[chrisp]

Vinegar will clean it out , flush with water when done.

[JSchmitz]

Originally Posted by chrisp

Vinegar will clean it out , flush with water when done.

Didn't think of that. Excellent suggestion! I guess it depends on what you're trying to get out of there. If it's calcium, the vinegar will work great. If it's other crud the Cascade should work well. Although Cascade will clean most anything.

[JSchmitz]

White vinegar is cheap also. We use it on a lot of things because of well water. Also kills moss on the gravel drive.

[prostreet64]

Good idea, will try the vinegar treatment as well.

[78w72]

have you considered an actual radiator cleaner/flush product? ive used one of the popular brands of radiator flush back in the 90's when i had a very dirty factory radiator & it did a very good job of cleaning out the visible barnacles on the rows & other build ups in the system. this was an installed radiator but im sure if its out of the car you could pour in some very hot or boiling water to do the same thing. just a suggestion to use a product intended for this purpose.

[ZnbOlds455]

I’ve always heard that white vinegar is the way to go. It’s also used to descale Keurig coffee makers.

[69 Limelight]

Any reason why "CLR" couldn't be used?

[JSchmitz]

Originally Posted by 69 Limelight

Any reason why "CLR" couldn't be used?

Would work for sure. It's harsher and much more expensive than white vinegar though.

[Formulabruce]

You can add some concentrated lemon juice to the white vinegar. Amazing combination. Removes oxides on aluminum.

[prostreet64]

I did the vinegar treatment and it did help some. Flushed out a decent amount of the crude. Engine temps are about 5 degrees lower than before. I might try the lemon juice concentrate to another vinegar bath.