1. Registration trouble? Please use the "Contact Us" link at the bottom right corner of the page and your issue will be resolved.
    Dismiss Notice

Cleaning The Cooling System

Discussion in 'Early Jeep Restoration and Research' started by RATTYFLATTY, Jun 3, 2022.

  1. RATTYFLATTY

    RATTYFLATTY I think you need a little more throttle

    Has anyone done the vinegar in the radiator to clean the whole system? What % along with mixture ratio was used? My YJ build has a copper brass radiator that doesn't quite do the job on the road. Gonna try the vinegar flush before purchasing a new radiator. Pic for attention
    smaller slots (2).jpg
     
    Ol Fogie likes this.
  2. timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Prestone used to sell a 2-part kit of oxalic acid and washing soda (sodium carbonate). These kits are no longer available, removed I presume to prevent the ingredients from being dumped into the storm drains. Or maybe because it attacks aluminum. I have used the kit, and it was effective. You can buy the ingredients as wood bleach and washing soda, and there is a GM service bulletin with instructions.
    https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/t...unk-out-of-cooling-system.120060/post-1684006

    Oxalic acid works because it strongly combines with rust to form a salt (iron oxalate?) that dissolves in water. I expect it's the same idea with vinegar (acetic acid, to make iron acetate) though less effective.
     
    Last edited: Jun 3, 2022
    dnb71R2 and Dandy like this.
  3. Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Pull the rad & have a radaitor shop do a flow test. I find home flushes problematic as they clean out all the radiator gunk the PO put in there to seal up all the leaks in the core & then you have radiator fluid all over the floor :(
     
  4. RATTYFLATTY

    RATTYFLATTY I think you need a little more throttle

    So I couldn't run a mile on the highway without overheating, so I drained the complete system & dumped in a gallon of 45% Vinegar, and topped it off with water. Then started the jeep with a piece of cardboard in front of the radiator to control the heat & ran it for 20-30 min at about 235 degrees then let it sit for 2 days. Started it back up to get some heat in the system then drained/flushed it. Then went for a drive/ 10 mile loop and never got over 190 deg. The magic stinks but it's well worth it.

    [​IMG]
     
    Danefraz and Fireball like this.
  5. Jeepenstein

    Jeepenstein Me like Jeep.. 2024 Sponsor


    In the Navy we used "bug juice" to clean our evaporators.. Basically Kool Aid.. Citric acid... Always did the trick. It was actually in our manuals.