How to flush rust from my car cooling system?

**miko101130** · December 9th, 2012 11:55 AM

Its possible that some rust are in the water pipings and water jackets....

**Chinoi** · December 9th, 2012 12:36 PM

Originally Posted by altec

Sir, hilander ride po. Already had the radiator overhauled. Tapos nilagyan na ng coolant mixed with water coming from a softener water system. Pero after a while, naging kalawang color ulit ang tubig. Di kaya ang kalawang nanggagaling sa makina kung saan umiikot ang tubig to/from the radiator?

Ito ang reason kaya ko gusto ko malaman alin safe pang remove ng rust sa internals ng cooling system or piping. I'm considering rust remover na ilagay sa radiator. Ang worry ko lang ay luma na yun radiator ko. Baka magkaroon ng leak pag sumobra ang rust remover. Ano kaya magandang brand?

**EVO-V** · December 9th, 2012 01:23 PM

Originally Posted by altec

Sir, hilander ride po. Already had the radiator overhauled. Tapos nilagyan na ng coolant mixed with water coming from a softener water system. Pero after a while, naging kalawang color ulit ang tubig. Di kaya ang kalawang nanggagaling sa makina kung saan umiikot ang tubig to/from the radiator?

Rust particles as long as they are suspended in the coolant solution is tolerable unless its sludge. It is when they deposit themselves on surfaces that problems begin to precipitate.

If to borrow a term from OTEP, "rodding", is not recommended for radiators of light vehicles.

I wouldn't be so quick with using muriatic acid, its normally used as a treatment for cleaning stains and oxidation but it will also dissolve metals given the right conditions.

But there are engine flushes that are more alkaline based that are safer to use, just make sure you rinse your loop before you refill it with coolants.

**EVO-V** · December 9th, 2012 01:32 PM

Originally Posted by Chinoi

Just found out that my thermostat was damaged by rust. Ano procedure para ma flush out ko yun mga rust bago lagyan mix water and coolant. Dati kasi tap water lang gamit ko.

Picture of replacement thermostat and damaged one.

If the mechanical components of your thermostats are broken, you wouldn't want to reuse them. Those are stamped sheet metal parts not exactly the best for rework under those conditions.

The active component of common thermostats is a wax-based compound that is formulated to expand or contract in a given temperature range.

Your car would run without a thermostat, it just wont' do so optimally. Besides its costlier to repair again unless you personally enjoy tinkering with your ride.

**1997** · December 10th, 2012 12:27 PM

ganyan din yung dati kong Hilander.. ang ginawa ko is I use purified water from water station and replace my water weekly.. sa radiator lang via drain plug.. then after few weeks nagiging clear na yung water.. tapos that's the time na gumamit na ako ng pre mix toyota coolant...

**EVO-V** · December 10th, 2012 01:40 PM

Originally Posted by 1997

ganyan din yung dati kong Hilander.. ang ginawa ko is I use purified water from water station and replace my water weekly.. sa radiator lang via drain plug.. then after few weeks nagiging clear na yung water.. tapos that's the time na gumamit na ako ng pre mix toyota coolant...

You would have achieved similar results by just doing a proper flush once. Exposing your engine components and radiator to plain water for an extended period, purified or not, causes problems with metal surfaces.

**Boy Bastos** · December 10th, 2012 02:46 PM

Originally Posted by EVO-V

You would have achieved similar results by just doing a proper flush once. Exposing your engine components and radiator to plain water for an extended period, purified or not, causes problems with metal surfaces.

So what is the best water?

**7138** · December 10th, 2012 02:51 PM

Originally Posted by EVO-V

You would have achieved similar results by just doing a proper flush once. Exposing your engine components and radiator to plain water for an extended period, purified or not, causes problems with metal surfaces.

sir EVO-V, para naman sa ikabubuti ng radiator ni TS, ano nalang ang ginagamit mo sa auto mo?
yun nalang gayahin nya para perfect na cooling system nya.

**1997** · December 10th, 2012 02:56 PM

Originally Posted by EVO-V

You would have achieved similar results by just doing a proper flush once. Exposing your engine components and radiator to plain water for an extended period, purified or not, causes problems with metal surfaces.

ok naman result... our Hilander is still alive and kicking with original stock radiator since 1997...

TS the best talaga is lav ramon..

**EVO-V** · December 10th, 2012 04:25 PM

Originally Posted by 1997

ok naman result... our Hilander is still alive and kicking with original stock radiator since 1997...

TS the best talaga is lav ramon..

If its just for flushing purposes you may use clean tap water. Its going to be drained anyway.

Drain old coolant into a pan or container. Do not wantonly discard this as it is toxic and harmful to the environment.

Then use radiator flush, run for 15-30 minutes, then replace with plain water, then run for 15-30 mins again, then drain. Repeat this until you're satisfied with the clarity of the water in your system, then drain and replace with your preferred coolant mix in and be on your merry way.

Newer cars with aluminum blocks and rads are more sensitive to water only application. So be mindful what you put in.

There is no mystique to this. Just commonsense science and diligence.