Radiator

[Old 8 Guy]

I picked up an excellent radiator off a 9n. The outside is in mint condition but I don"t know about the inside. So, what chemical should I use to clean the inside? I was thinking about using CLR, but want to know what y"all suggest.

 

[Tom N MS]

I wouldn"t use CLR.......

 

[R Geiger]

if I thought it really needed cleaning out, i would take it to a radiator shop and have it cleaned.

 

[old]

VINEGAR!!! Put the cap on and fill it and let it sit a day or 2 and that should clean it as good as it can be with out having it boiled out by a radiator shop. CLR is likely to cause holes in it

 

[Old 8 Guy]

Thanks for the tips. I have looked for a radiator for two years and since it's in unbelievably mint condition, the last thing I want to hear from a radiator shop is "oops". So, as you suggest, I'll use vinegar and if anything happens to it, there's no one to blame but me.
Appreciate your expert advice.

 

[Mickey Christian]

I saw on one of the forums that a piece of plastic banding strap can be gently inserted down the tubes to check and clean tubes. I would suppose this should be done in conjunction with the cleaning solution you use.

 

[Hobo,NC]

(quoted from post at 05:01:11 12/02/13) I wouldn"t use CLR.......

I have cleaned a lot of heater cores out with CLR they were mostly aluminum that I would think would have more issues with CLR than copper/brass...

If its stopped up nuttin is gonna clean it other than a rod ran thru the tubes in the core... You can hope to blast it with water pressure and dissolve surface rust with VINEGAR!!! That's all its just a make you fell good adventure...