Morris Minor Owners Club

After a split radiator 2 weeks ago, I have bought a 2nd hand one which is OK but the guy who sold me it suggested cleaning it out with washing soda before use. He told me this was available from hardware shops, yet I can't get hold of any and no-one (including me) really knows what I mean! Have you got any suggestions to clean the radiator before putting it on the car?

Many thanks,

Neil

I personally would just flush it out with a hose (both directions) until it ran clear, but I'm sure other folks will give their opinion on how best to chemically clean it's innards!

I'd try looking in the domestic cleaning fluid aisle in your local supermarket.

Washing soda is good stuff, it'll get dirt off of absolutley ANYTHING ... although I've never heard of anyone using it to clean out a radiator!

I have heard of people cleaning their silverware with it though ... just fill a bowl with hot water & crystals, then add a piece of tin-foil and drop your silverware in there so that its touching the foil ... just lifts the dirt right off ... certainly beats brasso, although since its using electrolysis to lift-off the top layer, I wouldnt advise you to use it with antiques!!!

Ah soda crystals have not seen them for a while as Cam says flush it with a hose, but start from the bottom to back flush it until clean and then the other way, then if you still want to use a cleaner use radflush I think its holts which I think you would leave overnight and then backflush ect again, dont be surprised at how much rubbish comes out it sometimes seems never ending. But whichever way you decide to go flush it with the hose 1st to shift the worst of it.

yup - flush it with a hose until it runs clean. Then use opposite directions many times.

Then flush your block and heater also using the hose with plenty of flow, To flush the block it may be wort removing the Thermostat. To flush the heater, remove both pipes and put the hose in to the pipe - again both ways until it runs clean.

If you want to really clean it, then 'Bars radiator flush' seems to work well (I tried quite a few products)

After you have flushed both ways,if you think it needs more
cleaning then buy a bottle of' kettle descaler', which will remove
any furring (as found in a kettle). You will need to block one end
of the rad and then add the descaler and water. You can always
tell if it is working by the fizzy bubbles whidh appear. It does not
attack metal so is safe to leave in for some time.

As this thread seems to have served it's purpose, could I ask for opinions on how you would store a rad? With water/antifreeze or dry, I seem to remember being told that dry is not recommended, but can't remember when or why! Maybe corrosion?

Les, yes I would be interested in that too as I have rads stored. I thought dry was best (and in a dry environment - like a loft/attic) but would be interested in other's opinions.

washing soda or bicarbonate soda as is it's other name is an alkaline. what it will do is stop (neutralise) corrosion from taking hold in your radiator. always flush with clean water afterwards. we use it on printed circuit boards in aircraft avionics where corrosion has started on copper tracks due to water ingression. it also is good for cleaning battery terminals. radiators are best stored dry after the above treatment.

SAFETY ALERT!

Sorry guys, but
washing soda is sodium carbonate (Na2CO3)
Sodium bicarbonate is different (NaHCO3)

Sodium carbonate is strongly alkaline and is for EXTERNAL USE -
Sodium bicarbonate is weakly alkaline and used in baking, antacid drinks toothpaste (abrasive) etc.
Please don't mix them up!

Both will neutralise acid (the bicarbonate will only neutralise half as much 'cos it's half neutralised already), BUT if you put the solid onto battery acid you may well have a violent reaction, and bits and splashes will fly everywhere. Poeple have lost their eyesight this way, as well as being badly scarred.
In fact, alkaline solutions are extremely good at dissolving grease and skin (that's why the washing soda solution feels slimy) - if you splash it into the eye you have about 20 seconds to wash it out with lots of cold fresh water (about 10 minutes' worth) before damage. Battery acid is not quite as bad (though don't mess with it either).

Please wear some eye-protection if you must use these chemicals, the best (safest) way to clear the white scale from a battery is fresh water - making sure that the acid cells are watertight. Don't risk a violent acid/alkali reaction inside your battery!

That's my professional advice - I'm a chemist and I'd hate to see anyone have problems here!

Regards,

Colin

http://dictionary.reference.com/search? ... 0carbonate

Sounds good Colin I was always told the only way to clean battery terminals was to use hot water to wash it away and when dry to use vaseline to protect them not grease as I have heard others advise, and not being a Chemist or even any good at chemistry I tend to use products recommended for the job like Radflush.
And thanks for the warning.

I've always used a wire brush myself, seems to work a treat for me!

Interesting point about circuit boards though, I'll definitley be using that tip on a couple of my other projects.

Al.

I've always used a wire brush myself, seems to work a treat for me!

What inside a Radiator
Seriously though hot water is much easier than a wire brush and it removes every bit of the corrosion in a far shorter time

What inside a Radiator

They had moved on to the battery terminals... keep up Kev ;-)

Bars radiator cleaner works well (in the cooling system)..... even when compared to household products.

I've always used a wire brush myself, seems to work a treat for me!

And remember to islolate both terminals before you start the job as catching the battery retaining strap while doing this can produce some lively fireworks

this can produce some lively fireworks

Another reason for using hot water instead.

using hot water

surely it should be luke warm to avoid burns...

If you use a Kettle rather than a chipped cup there should not be a problem

If you use a Kettle rather than a chipped cup there should not be a problem

So long as its a plastic kettle ... if you use a metal one we might be onto the fireworks again! :p

...and dont forget to get an adult to help you...

sorry - couldn't resist!