Rust in Radiator what to do :(

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hssn6012 (hssn6012) 2013-07-30 17:15:38 +0500 #1

Car:03 cultus

i have noticed there is rust in radiator as well as water bottle.. currently i am using tap water in radiator and now i want to use coolant please suggest what to do.

Thanks in advance

hssn6012 (hssn6012) 2013-07-31 05:43:45 +0500 #2

some chemicals are available in market Radiator flush etc etc should i use them if than how to use them ??

Scorpion1983 (Scorpion1234) 2013-07-31 06:31:00 +0500 #3

This is what I do every season...pull out the raditor and reservior bottel, clean and wash with Max liquid, pressure wash both and the hosing and reainstall.. fill water and run the car for sometime..drain and again refill again run.. gain drain and then the coolant...you can get the radiator serviced by the radiator wala for Rs.400-500

supereagle (supereagle) 2013-07-31 07:44:08 +0500 #4

@hssn6012

Every Summer go to the radiator guy and he will pull it out of the car, dismantle it, clean it with acid which will dislodge the rust and reassemble it. Always use a radiator anti-rust along with a radiator coolant. In Pakistan what one does is, switch off the engine, drain all the water from the radiator by unplugging the thermostat switch, replug the thermostat switch, top up the radiator with a radiator cleaner and wait for the period written in the instructions. After that drain the radiator again and put ample water into the radiator so that the chemical drains from the bottom of the radiator. Replug the radiator with the thermostat valve and fill it up with radiator coolant. Basically the radiator cleaner is sulphuric acid. You don't run the engine when the radiator cleaning fluid is sitting in the radiator because if you do, it will damage the rubber seals of the water body (water pump) of the engine as running the engine will now give it access to the rubber seals of the water body.

Here are the instructions in numerical order:

Turn off the engine.
Unplug the thermostat plug sitting at the bottom of the radiator. This will drain all the rusty water in the radiator.
Buy an acidic radiator cleaner from the market.
Replug the thermostat switch.
Put the radiator cleaner in the radiator and let it sit in the radiator for 30 minutes (the exact time is written in the instructions and follow that).
Unplug the thermostat switch so that the acidic solution drains away. You will notice all the rust and the acid draining away on the ground and you will grin between your ears!
Pour ample water in the radiator so that the remaining acid and rust in the radiator washes away.
Replug the thermostat switch.
Top up the radiator with a very good radiator coolant.
Now you are set to go in your car. During the process you do not start your engine.

Regards and take care.

Xulfiqar (Xulfiqar) 2013-07-31 13:23:00 +0500 #5

the rubber seals of the water pump are not in contact with coolant, the seals in contact with coolant are ceramic and rubber is behind them.

If your system is heavily rusted - clean it out with citric acid flush (use search) you MAY or MAY NOT have leaks afterwards depending on how bad your system is rusted. Once clean flush it out about 4 times with clean water.

DO NOT USE COLD WATER TO FLUSH OUT THE SYSTEM ON A HOT ENGINE. It will cause damage.

do this with no thermostat valve to make sure the pump flows full force through everything.

Install the thermostat valve back after clean water flush and purge from the block too - use air to purge everything before installing the thermostat valve - fill with prepared coolant, bleed out air bubbles, ensure the cap is good, ensure the overflow tank is good, ensure the overflow pipe nipple on the radiator and the overflow bottle is good (leaks here can cause the system to go low as air can leak into the system when it cools down)

Hashim11 (Muhammad Hashim) 2013-07-31 13:34:42 +0500 #6

Follow this method:
[h=1]Citric acid powder for radiator flush[/h]
Read a caution too.

supereagle (supereagle) 2013-07-31 13:58:50 +0500 #7

Xulfiqar;3984610:

the rubber seals of the water pump are not in contact with coolant, the seals in contact with coolant are ceramic and rubber is behind them.

If your system is heavily rusted - clean it out with citric acid flush (use search) you MAY or MAY NOT have leaks afterwards depending on how bad your system is rusted. Once clean flush it out about 4 times with clean water.

DO NOT USE COLD WATER TO FLUSH OUT THE SYSTEM ON A HOT ENGINE. It will cause damage.

do this with no thermostat valve to make sure the pump flows full force through everything.

Install the thermostat valve back after clean water flush and purge from the block too - use air to purge everything before installing the thermostat valve - fill with prepared coolant, bleed out air bubbles, ensure the cap is good, ensure the overflow tank is good, ensure the overflow pipe nipple on the radiator and the overflow bottle is good (leaks here can cause the system to go low as air can leak into the system when it cools down)

@Xulfiqar

Mohtaram Xulfiqar Sahib,
So you mean to say that if I use a strong acidic cleaner (I'm talking about sulphuric acid H2SO4 or hydrochloric acid HCl and not citric acid CH3COOH which is a very weak acid) for a car radiator and run my engine, it won't damage my water pump. Correct?

Regards and take care.

hssn6012 (hssn6012) 2013-07-31 16:43:10 +0500 #8

Xulfiqar;3984610:

the rubber seals of the water pump are not in contact with coolant, the seals in contact with coolant are ceramic and rubber is behind them.

If your system is heavily rusted - clean it out with citric acid flush (use search) you MAY or MAY NOT have leaks afterwards depending on how bad your system is rusted. Once clean flush it out about 4 times with clean water.

DO NOT USE COLD WATER TO FLUSH OUT THE SYSTEM ON A HOT ENGINE. It will cause damage.

do this with no thermostat valve to make sure the pump flows full force through everything.

Install the thermostat valve back after clean water flush and purge from the block too - use air to purge everything before installing the thermostat valve - fill with prepared coolant, bleed out air bubbles, ensure the cap is good, ensure the overflow tank is good, ensure the overflow pipe nipple on the radiator and the overflow bottle is good (leaks here can cause the system to go low as air can leak into the system when it cools down)

where is thermostat value ?? and i can drain water form nut on the bottom of radiator or i need to remove water pipe??

usmanuetian (usmanuetian) 2013-08-01 02:46:36 +0500 #9

Same is the case with my cuore 2006 radiator, last year I flushed it out and refilled the water but the small plastic tap at radiator bottom, it was v difficult to put it back, coz radiator kept on leaking, later I winded a thread to make a washer type (like a plumber threads a pipe or tap before installation) then it got resolved. Now I saw same problem few days back ....the rust again....

hssn6012 (hssn6012) 2013-08-01 17:22:49 +0500 #10

y you havnt used coolant after flushing

pwuser149434308390 (A. N) 2020-09-28 16:36:14 +0500 #11

Dont usually comment on any thread here; although a regular reader. What has personally proven good is being shared here.
Pour a half litre kerosene oil, and a few grams of surf excel - say 50 grams. All has to be done without a thermostat valve. Close the cap and drive your car for 5-10 km. Then, disconnect the radiator outlet (water body inlet) hose pipe, and the water body outlet (radiator inlet) hose pipe. Flush with clean distilled water. You will see plenty of rust and debris. Do not use high pressure water. Similarly flush the radiator from the bottom drain valve. Connect all hoses and pour clean water. Drive 3-5 km; check for any leaks. If no leaks, clear the entire circuit, drain the water; reinstate the thermostat, and pour coolant.
Remember to check if any hose pipe is swollen, replace it prior to it ruptures. Also check the water body steel hose pipe (usually choked on most older models - replace if needed).