Radiator cleaner recommendation
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Topic author - Posts: 219
- Joined: Sat Jan 19, 2019 9:05 am
- First Name: Ryan
- Last Name: Snellen
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1912, 1919, 20's FrankenT
- Location: Nashville
- Board Member Since: 2017
Radiator cleaner recommendation
My '12 radiator needs a good core cleaning... It's too hot too quick
What recommendations do y'all have?
Thank you!
What recommendations do y'all have?
Thank you!
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- First Name: Dave
- Last Name: Hanlon
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Re: Radiator cleaner recommendation
I had pretty good luck with CLR.
I would avoid getting it on the brass.
I would avoid getting it on the brass.
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- First Name: John
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Re: Radiator cleaner recommendation
If the fins are not tightly bonded to the tubes, cleaning will not help you much. This happens with antique radiators. If cleaning doesn't improve the situation, you will have to either re-core it or buy a new radiator. I think that old radiators are the biggest reason why people can't drive their Ts more than a few miles without overheating.
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Re: Radiator cleaner recommendation
Plain vinegar works well and doesn’t cause any damage
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Re: Radiator cleaner recommendation
Other causes of overheating worth mentioning:
- not enough oil in crankcase
- fuel mixture too lean
- retarded ignition timing
- poor driving technique
- not enough oil in crankcase
- fuel mixture too lean
- retarded ignition timing
- poor driving technique
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Re: Radiator cleaner recommendation
I've used Cascade dishwasher soap to degrease, Flush with water then an overbite soak with CLR . Rinsed with baking soda to neutralize.s it would also work if very careful not to spill on exterior Rinse again and fill with coolant of your choice. I haven't done this on an all brass radiator. Guess it would also work if careful not to spill on exterior.
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- First Name: George P
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Re: Radiator cleaner recommendation
Also check what Erik said
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Re: Radiator cleaner recommendation
CLR labels now say not recommended for radiators. Must be a reason.
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Re: Radiator cleaner recommendation
My best luck, and best advice to cure an overheating 100+ year old radiator was, and is, to get a NEW one!
Been there, done that. 4 vehicles worth, out of 6!! Not too bad an average eh??
Been there, done that. 4 vehicles worth, out of 6!! Not too bad an average eh??
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Re: Radiator cleaner recommendation
I tried all sorts of things on my 26, vinegar, Dawn dish soap, Purple Power, Simple Green, Macs radiator cleaner, after multiple times each, none of them did the trick. Then I bought a bottle of Thermocure. It is a radiator cleaner that is made by Evaporust. It did a very good job. I have since used it on another radiator and again, it did a very good job. I did have to due it a few times. I reused it a couple of times, then used a fresh bottle. The radiators came out very clean and they cool fine. I picked it up at Walmart for about $20 a bottle.
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Re: Radiator cleaner recommendation
Put a box of Arm and Hammer which is dissolved in water in. Run it that way for about 50 miles and grand and flush. This a old trick my dad used on his trucks.
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Re: Radiator cleaner recommendation
Phil
my guess is that he used Arm and Hammer Washing Soda...most on this forum would guess Baking Soda which is a good acid neutralizer, but not so good on radiators
my guess is that he used Arm and Hammer Washing Soda...most on this forum would guess Baking Soda which is a good acid neutralizer, but not so good on radiators
Scott Conger
Tyranny under the guise of law is still Tyranny
NH Full Flow Float Valves
Obsolete carburetor parts manufactured
Tyranny under the guise of law is still Tyranny
NH Full Flow Float Valves
Obsolete carburetor parts manufactured
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Topic author - Posts: 219
- Joined: Sat Jan 19, 2019 9:05 am
- First Name: Ryan
- Last Name: Snellen
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Re: Radiator cleaner recommendation
Thanks for all the suggestions y'all. I had it off while I put a new cam and reset the valves. There was a bit of 'gunk' sitting in the bottom of the lower spout. I suspect the cores are quite dirty.