Radiator flush
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Topic author - Posts: 62
- Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 6:49 pm
- First Name: Tim
- Last Name: Franko
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1914 & 1927
- Location: Independence Ohio
Radiator flush
My 1914 t with 26 engine is starting to overheat . Is there any newer chemical that anyone would recommend? I flushed it just with water with no improvement. It has a leak proof water pump which I’m removing. Brass works radiator is about 6 yrs old.Thank you in advance!!! Tim Franko
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- Joined: Fri Feb 12, 2021 12:24 pm
- First Name: john
- Last Name: karvaly
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 14/15 wide track roadster. 23 touring, 27 roadster pickup, 20ish rajo touring
- Location: orange, ca
- Board Member Since: 2020
Re: Radiator flush
Drain enough to see the top of the tubes. Look inside. You can see a few of the tubes. A bore scope would be a better way to see more of the insides. If you see rust flakes blocking, remove the radiator & flush water thru from the bottom. Look into the water outlet on the head. Any build up of rust chunks can be removed with a shop vac & magnet.
If you See calcium build up around the tubes, a chemical flush can be done. A can or 2 of Coke will do a good job of cleaning as you drive. There are common commercial flush products also.
When you get the system clean, use distilled water with your coolant/anti rust product.
If you See calcium build up around the tubes, a chemical flush can be done. A can or 2 of Coke will do a good job of cleaning as you drive. There are common commercial flush products also.
When you get the system clean, use distilled water with your coolant/anti rust product.
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- First Name: Mark
- Last Name: Strange
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1924 Cut Off Touring (now a pickup)
- Location: Hillsboro, MO
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Re: Radiator flush
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSLn4KeT3do
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnOZ2MZt5FY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJ3nkPm87X0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnOZ2MZt5FY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJ3nkPm87X0
Mark Strange
Hillsboro, MO
1924 Cut-off Touring (now a pickup)
Hillsboro, MO
1924 Cut-off Touring (now a pickup)
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- First Name: Jeff
- Last Name: Humble
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 Canadian coupe, 1924 TT C-cab, 1924 runabout
- Location: Charlevoix, Mi
- Board Member Since: 2006
Re: Radiator flush
I have had good results with vinegar. Drain cooing system, fill with 50/50 vinager and distilled water. Run, let sit overnight, run again, drain, and flush with water. repeat as needed. when done fill with 50/50 antifreeze.
Why do you think it is overheating? filling the radiator to the top and driving will cause the coolant to run out the overflow tube, and if you keep topping it off it will continue to overflow when hot, that is not overheating. When you shut down the engine and hear coolant gurguling that is also normal and is not an indication of overheating. Coolant bubbling and water vapor around the radiator cap is normal if you do not have a gasket under the radiator cap, but is not overheating.
Removing the water pump is a good move.
Why do you think it is overheating? filling the radiator to the top and driving will cause the coolant to run out the overflow tube, and if you keep topping it off it will continue to overflow when hot, that is not overheating. When you shut down the engine and hear coolant gurguling that is also normal and is not an indication of overheating. Coolant bubbling and water vapor around the radiator cap is normal if you do not have a gasket under the radiator cap, but is not overheating.
Removing the water pump is a good move.
Last edited by Humblej on Fri Apr 21, 2023 1:55 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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- First Name: Steve
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Re: Radiator flush
The inevitable often happens.
1915 Runabout
1923 Touring
1915 Runabout
1923 Touring
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- Posts: 1055
- Joined: Mon Feb 04, 2019 10:25 pm
- First Name: Erik
- Last Name: Johnson
- Location: Minneapolis, MN
Re: Radiator flush
The radiator may not be the issue.
The following can cause overheating:
- ignition timing/retarded spark
- fuel mixture too lean
- not enough oil in crankcase
The following can cause overheating:
- ignition timing/retarded spark
- fuel mixture too lean
- not enough oil in crankcase
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- Posts: 1906
- Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 12:22 am
- First Name: craig
- Last Name: leach
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1919 Firetruck/1922 Speedster
- Location: Laveen Az
Re: Radiator flush
Hi Tim,
I use Zep Calcium, Rust & Lime remover for cleaning out radiators, blocks, heads & removing rust from parts before bead blasting.
You can find it at the big box hardware stores. I use it straight and drain & strain it and use it over many times. If you delute it then
its not very reusable. Be carfull with it use gloves & eye protection. It will etch concrete & kill grass. Evaporust makes a cooling system
flush that I have heard good things about but have no personal experience with it.
Craig.
I use Zep Calcium, Rust & Lime remover for cleaning out radiators, blocks, heads & removing rust from parts before bead blasting.
You can find it at the big box hardware stores. I use it straight and drain & strain it and use it over many times. If you delute it then
its not very reusable. Be carfull with it use gloves & eye protection. It will etch concrete & kill grass. Evaporust makes a cooling system
flush that I have heard good things about but have no personal experience with it.
Craig.
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- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:18 am
- First Name: Scott
- Last Name: Conger
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1919
- Location: not near anywhere, WY
- Board Member Since: 2005
Re: Radiator flush
A six year old Brassworks radiator seems WAY too new to have calcium build up much less be a source of over-heating, particularly when I cannot find anywhere in posts that you are using well-water or coolant or whatever.
In any event, I believe that a good check with a contact thermocouple thermometer of both the top fins and the bottom fins of the radiator is in order to provide hard data. That will tell if your radiator is cooling and by how much. It will also show if you are over heating (or not) or are simply carrying your coolant level too high and are burping out excess. The thermocouple probe is suggested because reflectance can cause errors in readings and you are running a radiator which may cause an IR thermometer to mis-read and give false information.
In any event, I believe that a good check with a contact thermocouple thermometer of both the top fins and the bottom fins of the radiator is in order to provide hard data. That will tell if your radiator is cooling and by how much. It will also show if you are over heating (or not) or are simply carrying your coolant level too high and are burping out excess. The thermocouple probe is suggested because reflectance can cause errors in readings and you are running a radiator which may cause an IR thermometer to mis-read and give false information.
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