clr in radiator???

MSS3020 · Aug 18, 2011

Not tractor related but alot of smart guys and gals on here.. I have a van that in the winter doesnt heat as well as it did. Real hassle to change heater core. They tell me that lime from water forms inside core and kinda forms a insulation to keep it from getting as hot as it use to... SO>>>>> why not drain fill with water and CLR and run.. then drain...flush with water....refil..suppose that could work... YES im really reachin on this one..

RodinNS · Aug 18, 2011

I don't know about CLR but there are commercial rad flush products that will remove the crap you want to get out provided it has some flow... Fast Flush and other such product names...
I've had good luck with them in removing a lot of gum/gunk/crap. Use as directed on the label.

Rod

rustyfarmall · Aug 18, 2011

(quoted from post at 12:00:10 08/18/11) Not tractor related but alot of smart guys and gals on here.. I have a van that in the winter doesnt heat as well as it did. Real hassle to change heater core. They tell me that lime from water forms inside core and kinda forms a insulation to keep it from getting as hot as it use to... SO>>>>> why not drain fill with water and CLR and run.. then drain...flush with water....refil..suppose that could work... YES im really reachin on this one..

I have no experience using CLR, but you are correct in that lime does build up inside a cooling system, and quite often it will build up inside a heater core to the point that the heater core is completely plugged up. I've also seen more than one heater core leak like a sieve after being cleaned out with a radiator flush product.

Another thought. Does the fan still blow as hard as it used to? Does the A/C still work good? If the van is new enough, there might be a cabin air filter (kinda like your house has) that is in need of replacement.

elmersooner · Aug 18, 2011

Don't know about CLR, but have used vinegar and water 50/50 and it made a heck of a difference.

calf · Aug 18, 2011

You could try plain old vinegar also, or Lime Away. But like someone else said, you may clean it out to much. I would try the vinegar first.

This advise is only as good as what you paid for.

1130Leo · Aug 18, 2011

A friend of mine used a couple gallons of vinegar, drained the system, flushed it out, filled with 2 gallons of vinegar and water, ran for about 20 to 30 miles, drained and flushed a few times, then re-filled with antifreeze. It helped alot, but keep in mind, you may remove the garbage from inside the heater core and may find a new leak as well...

bg/mo · Aug 18, 2011

flush the heater core backwards, will clean the gunk out.

Lloyd In South Carolina · Aug 18, 2011

Years ago, we used to disconnect the heater hoses, connect one end to the garden hose and flush with it, then reverse direction etc etc..

old · Aug 18, 2011

I would not use CLR but I would drain the system and then fill with vinegar and run it a few times. Then drain again and if you can back flush the system. Or you could just buy a flush kit from Wal-Mart or an auto parts store and those come with a set up to hook a hose into the heater hose for back flushing

Anonymous-0 · Aug 18, 2011

get you some dishwasher tabs that are also against spots. Drop a couple in and run it a day or so then flush.

Dave

Dean · Aug 18, 2011

I would not advise it unless you wish to replace your water pump and possibly radiator.

As others have recommended, reverse flushing the heater core should solve the problem.

In the future use only distilled and anti freeze in cooling systems.

Dean

john *.?-!.* cub owner · Aug 18, 2011

You didn't say anything about make or year of van, but you need to chekc operation of air doors, sometimes when the vacuum lines get old they leak and doors do not open and close all the way. If it is old enough to have a water valve check that too. Get an IR thermometer and compare temperature of the 2 heater hoses.

bradk · Aug 18, 2011

My cousin(auto body guy) told me about using CLR in his Taurus heater core which is a 10 hr job to replace.I don't see any problem with the method as long as it's done responsibly.

Disconnect BOTH heater core hoses and connect a few feet of hose to each nipple at core.Pour full strength CLR in one end until it runs out the other and suspend hose ends.Let sit for 5 minutes and flush out both directions with a garden hose.No problems.

clr in radiator???

MSS3020

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RodinNS

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rustyfarmall

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elmersooner

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calf

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1130Leo

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bg/mo

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Lloyd In South Carolina

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old

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Anonymous-0

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Dean

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john .?-!. cub owner

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bradk

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