Radiator Bath Home Remedy

I bought a late CJ radiator recently for swap into my early pending an upcoming engine conversion. The radiator was in good shape, except for some scale buildup inside. Went to Depot and picked up a gal of ZEP brand Calcium Lime Rust remover, and a 1-1/2" rubber cap and clamp from the sewer repair section. Also had CLR there, but was twice the cost and I am cheap. Man this stuff works good!

Capped the lower fitting on the radiator and poured the gal in undiluted. Let it sit for 30 min, then with the radiator capped, shook it up a bunch. Poured it out into a bucket, then brushed the outside using the wife's dish cleaning brush (shhh!). Hosed it off inside and out. Done.


Total cost: $13

 

That's a great tip, thanks.

 

Zep makes some good stuff!!

 

I would recommend a pressure test before you complete the install. I've been down this road before using zep and CLR. Both do the job but.......used radiators are just that.....used.

The price for a radiator shop to do a pressure test ranges from $14 to $30 here in central Iowa.

 

i used to work at a radiator shop all you really need to do is cap everything. get a small airhose that fits the drain port and apply no more than 25 lbs of pressure, and put it in a tank of water and look for bubbles that is all the radiator co. is going to do. mite save you 30 bucks