[rohrt]

I had some really nast brown coolant in the radiator when I pulled my motor, enough to plug up the petcock when I tried to drain it.

Anyway its obviouse I will be flushing the system but I want some opinions on if I should use a flush cleaner.

Read about a wide range of different things to try:
Coke
Viniger
Preston super radiator cleaner
GM P/N 123465000 2 part cleaner
Lestoil
Oxalic acid + Neutralizer
Dupont 2 part flush.
spic and span
Permetex 80030 HD Radiator Cleaner

Looking for some feed back. I don't want to create a new problem.

[GT182]

Preston super radiator cleaner
Dupont 2 part flush.
GM P/N 123465000 2 part cleaner

Those should work ok but.... I'd take it to a radiator shop and have them boil/flush it out if it's that bad. They will get it clean and serviceable again. And they'll let you know if it's still good to use.

[Pontirag]

I 'm surprised nobody mentioned drano. It will cleane out your cooling system all right but you absolutely must flush it completely afterwards, and plane on replacing the water pump.

[rohrt]

Originally Posted by Pontirag

I 'm surprised nobody mentioned drano. It will cleane out your cooling system all right but you absolutely must flush it completely afterwards, and plane on replacing the water pump.

Drano, that's a new one to add to the list. The issue I have with the "experimental" treatments is no one really know what it will do to the gaskets or water pump seals.

I pulled the pipe plugs on the block last night and drained the remaining coolant. I guess it wasn't as bad as I thought. Still a bit brown and cloudy but not like it was all sludge. I could still make out the green in the coolant. I think I will go with the two part cleaner and flush it out when I get it back together.

[PJPONTIAC]

I just cleaned out the system in my TA the other day. I put in about 16 oz of dishwashing detergent and let it run with that for a little while, then drained it out. It has no more brown rust in the coolant system.

[GT182]

Originally Posted by PJPONTIAC

I just cleaned out the system in my TA the other day. I put in about 16 oz of dishwashing detergent and let it run with that for a little while, then drained it out. It has no more brown rust in the coolant system.

LOL.... Is it still blowing bubbles? That's one I've never heard of.. glad it worked ok.

[Pontirag]

its not experimental and it works. its extream but it works

[rohrt]

I read that there are acid cleaners and detergent cleaners. I want to use an acid cleaner as I think my cooling system needs it.

I'm kind of leaning to the Vinegar solution now. There is a tone of info on it. Seem pretty strait forward. Has anyone tried this. I'm not seeing a downside yet.

[2manyponchos]

I have used Rydlyme in the past with good success. Bio-degradeable and does not seem to harm seals.