flushed away

[Peetee]

Can anyone recommend a super efficient chemical flushing agent for the heater matrix on a modern engine? I need one compatible for 'whole of system' that won't wreck rubber/alloy etc and can just be added to the rad.
Cheers!

[bmcecosse]

I know some use drain cleaner - but you do so at your own risk!

[Mogwai]

We have some stuff at work made by liqui moly. not used the rad flush one very often but their products are very good

[faversham999]

you need the 2 stage flush, flush with first bottle then fush with water, add second bottle ,the neutraliser, flush with water then add the antifreeze

[Peetee]

Bit more info. The car is a Ford Galaxy and it was taken to a garage to be flushed. They didn't use any chemical agents because the "radiator is nylon". The heater is barely any better so I was wondering what could be used safely. I find it curious that the engine runs perfectly and that side of the system has never shown any symptoms of blockage. I Wonder if the problem is more mechanical and the controls have failed so heater knob can be moved to warm but it's not physically moving the valve behind. However eash of the three heater knobs move with the same resistance so, maybe not. Course the real pain is that finding the heater hoses in a V6 Galaxy with 3" of slippery, nobbly ice on the road is not as easy as finding them in a Morris Minor tucked up in a garage.

[mogbob]

Holts Radflush 2 part or Holts Speedflush spring to mind as the obvious cure for a " normal " metal rad depending on the extent of the problem.Why not contact ( or get Garage to contact )Holts Technical Department for confirmation that it is O.K. for your nylon rad ..before parting with your hard earned cash ? Supplying the Garage yourself, with the right quantity ( how many pints in the system normally / Holts might know ) might save their mark up on "parts" if they source it for you.
Heater controls in the open position when using a flushing agent and a refill with anti-freeze in this weather. once sorted.
Bob

[ndevans]

Nylon radiator? Never heard that one before. Wouldn't have thought nylon would conduct heat as well as metal, therefore not give up it's heat as easily to the airflow.

[MarkyB]

Only the header tank is likely to be plastic though the heater matrix maybe plastic too.
However plastic is unlikely to be affected by de scaling chemicals, aluminium is another matter.

[Peetee]

The information I have is third hand (from the owner) so probably misinterpreted. I would surmise there are nylon components in the system. perhaps the valve

[MarkyB]

The heater matrix on my nephews Fiat Cinquecento is plastic.
He broke the water inlet off it and has been driving round with no heater at all

[tufty]

I have used Citric Acid available from chemist shops (500 gram box). It comes in powder form mix it up in a bucket of warm water. If you can get a heater hose off somwhere near the actual heater in the engine bay next to the bulk head all the better. I suspect that if the car has been run on good old Southampton water it is more scaled up than bunged up. The residue from the flush can be dumped down the drain as it is pretty well inert. Doubling the amount of Citric Acid would be ok. I have used Holts Rad Flush which will work if the instructions are follwed. Allthough it did not work on a system that had no water pump (very old car). All the best of luck. ps, I have made a new years resolution to find the sadmog bunch in 2010.

[Peetee]

Thanks for all the tips folks.