Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[alastairq]

Over the decades, I have heard about...and sometimes tried, various methods of cleaning out cooling systems. Some are in bottles, some in two bottles, some involve household cleaners, some involve a selection of bottle brushes!

Recently, I spotted elsewhere, someone had used central heating cleaner to good effect.
They recommended the stuff sold by Screwfix.

https://www.screwfix.com/p/flomasta-0630-central-heating-cleaner-500ml/8506r#product_additional_details_container

The stuff above seems cheap enough...and treat up to 100 litres, is safe with the whole variety of metals [and other stuffs, found in central heating systems.]

HAve any of you lot tried anything like this? With any apparent success?

[Ray White]

That seems very good value. I have always used Fernex which is nearly £20 for the same quantity but it should really be used as a protection for new central heating systems, although it can be used as a cleaner.

I would urge caution. I once used it on a micro bore central heating system but it blocked the pipes which were hidden in the walls! I ended up having to replace it all with 15mm surface pipework!

I should imagine it will do the job of cleaning a car cooling system but I do wonder if it might search out potential leaks.

[MVPeters]

I have not tried this, but it seems an increasing number of folks are using dishwasher machine powder to rid cooling systems of oil & contaminants.
The concern is reactions between different metals in the system with some chemicals. Since this is food-safe it must be pretty innocuous & certainly cheap enough for a few healthy scoops. Apparently the hotter you can get the engine the better it works.
_________________
Mike - MVPeters at comcast.net
2002 MINI Cooper 'S'

[BigJohn]

Aldi dishwasher descaler worked for me some years ago on my Standard 12 radiator.

[Bitumen Boy]

I've used washing soda in cooling systems many a time with good results.

[Penman]

Hi

[Ray White]

[Bitumen Boy]