Coolant flushing

[Triplespeed]

Having removed the water pipe on the top of the engine I found what looks like a load of crystalised coolant so I`m looking at flushing it through but what`s the best way to do this?

I have previously checked the state of the pump and its very clean. The rads have been replaced and the expansion tank has been cleaned outn so I didnt want to circulate crud into these parts.

I was debating on removing the hose to the thermostat and pump then flushing through with tap water and a hose, afterwards flushing with deionised then filling with coolant.

There was a thread using holts radiator flush but does it work?

I have read about using a 50 50 mix of water and vinegar but has anyone done this? I`m guessing the theory is not to dissimilar from cleaning out coffee makers etc but I`m not sure I have the balls to be the pioneer to try this first

Any advice would be most appreciated

[Neosophist]

You can get a holts 2 part cleaner that is an acid cleaner like strong vinger you idle for 30 mins then flush and rinse with a a neutraliser.

Ive found it works really well and makes a nice clean system.

For flushing.. get the rads off, get the thermostat housing open and thermostat out... open the two drain bolts under the headers and get the water pump hoses off..

use a hosepipe with good flow and flush water every possible way through the radiators and the block.. if there separate you lessen the chance of flushing crap from one part to another.

Reverse flush etc.

Then putl it all togheter after the waters running clean and clear and it it still looks a bit mankey use the chemcical flush.

Correct level of anti-freeze and distilled water will prevent mineral build up in the system.

[speedy231278]

I used the single stage radflush stuff. It didn't find much grot in the system, but what it did find was that the seal on the water pump was iffy, and was clearly partially sealed by scale/grot, as I gained a leak immediately afterward. Sadly, the seal inside the pump cannot be replaced, so I had to get a replacement pump in a hurry! I had reason to drain the coolant a year after, and it was still absolutely pristine, so the stuff obviously does a good job. Just check for coolant coming out the drain hole on the bottom of the pump....

[Triplespeed]

Cheers fellas ill do as you advise neo, by the way which bolts drain the coolant?

I've looked on the service guide an it's a little unclear

[Neosophist]

Cheers fellas ill do as you advise neo, by the way which bolts drain the coolant?

I've looked on the service guide an it's a little unclear

On the outerface of the waterpump itself theres a bolt and behind the front two header pipes where they come out the block there are two bolts (one each side) screwed into the block.

If you cant find em ill take you some photos the weekend.

[Triplespeed]

Cheers neo, that would be great if you could take a couple of photos.
Works getting in the way of getting in the garage