Cooling system/radiator deposits

[rebar]

I just had a buddy change out my water pump/hoses on my 6.2 diesel and he called me while doing it and said my radiator has mineral deposits. He went on to say he would buy a new radiator if the truck were his.. My 85 Vmax runs hot and I'm guessing that's also due to deposits even though I did flush with vinegar.

What's the most powerful/safe flush in your opinion?

This stuff looks serious.

 

[SpecOps13]

Used to use Arm and Hammer, Washing Soda on cars. Not sure about the VMax's block though....
Could be your thermostat on the VMax....? Or incorrect 50/50 mix is possible too.

 

[mr.maxx]

id take the radiator off and then let it sit overnight with vinegar and baking soda. i did that with my 85 v65. cleaned it out great.

 

[KJShover]

id take the radiator off and then let it sit overnight with vinegar and baking soda. I did that with my 85 v65. Cleaned it out great.

+1

Another alternative would be prestone (or other brand) radiator flush.
I have seen people have good luck with CLR. They run two bottles through for about 10 min, then 1 bottle, for 10 min, then flush with water, 3 times for 10 min's each.
But I've also seen CLR eat radiators before as well, Thats the reason I stick with vinegar, baking soda and time.

 

[rebar]

Thanks yes the t-stat would be the first place to start on the Vmax.. It did sit for a long time before though.. What was it? 21 years?:biglaugh:

Right now I'm more concerned with the 6.2 because I need it to pull me and a camper to Colorado and back. Never ran warm until I picked up the trailer but that was in the spring time and low 80's for a high.. Not the 100's were seeing now. I found this interesting thread.. Post #11

He goes on to say most radiator flush's like Preston are junk and will eat your water-pump seal if you leave it in longer than the 10 minutes they recommend. That Barnacle Buster system is biodegradable and hopefully wont damage my brand new water pump seal.

id take the radiator off and then let it sit overnight with vinegar and baking soda. i did that with my 85 v65. cleaned it out great.

Might try that.. I just wish I would have know this before putting a new w/p on.

 

[RaWarrior]

The redneck fix for plugged heater cores is to undo both the hoses, blast an entire can of easy-off oven cleaner into the outlet, let it sit for like 10 minutes, then blast a garden hose into it to flush. tons and tons of crap will spray everywhere. Heat went from lukewarm at best to amazing.

so I guess you could try something similar for a radiator since a heater core is essentially the same thing.

 

[Bill Seward]

Watch what you spray into an aluminum radiator....
I lost my thermostat years ago, without a problem - but the bike still hates sitting in traffic.

 

[rebar]

The redneck fix for plugged heater cores is to undo both the hoses, blast an entire can of easy-off oven cleaner into the outlet, let it sit for like 10 minutes, then blast a garden hose into it to flush. tons and tons of crap will spray everywhere. Heat went from lukewarm at best to amazing.

so I guess you could try something similar for a radiator since a heater core is essentially the same thing.

Yup.. Iv heard CLR cleaner also works well. Trick is how to isolate each component and remove all the crap before it migrates.

I'm just starting to come around to the idea this old 6.2 isn't going to much fun pulling 9000# in the Rockies w/o a turbo.. Its going to belch a bunch of smoke and wont let me shift out of 3rd.. Anyone got a 7.3 power-stroke for sale? :biglaugh:

 

[RaWarrior]

Yeah....those old 6.2's were only what, like 140hp or something? Not really designed for heavy work. They were kind of billed as the "eco" option to the gas motors.

The international t444e (school bus motor) aka Ford Powerstroke 7.3 was up around 300hp in it's latest form and over 500 ft/lbs of torque. Great engine, too bad Ford put the problematic 4R100 transmission behind them. Mine died at 80k with only the 5.4 gas in front of it, a friend with the 7.3 and that same box is now on his third at 140k.

I must have gotten lucky, I never had any heat problems with my vmax. It would never get past 200* if the fan was running in traffic.

 

[rebar]

Ford Powerstroke 7.3 was up around 300hp in it's latest form and over 500 ft/lbs of torque. Great engine, too bad Ford put the problematic 4R100 transmission behind them.

Which ford tranny handles it? I prefer a manual..

 

[RaWarrior]

The auto was the 4R100 (4 speed, 100 (x10) ft/lbs of torque). Was supposed to be the beefier version of the 4R70w transmission that was in the 150 chassis. It was a lot less reliable for whatever reason, especially if a diesel was in front of it.


Not sure what the manual was, though IME ford manuals have always been quite durable. The marina had a f350 with the 7.3 PS and a 5 speed. It went to our other marina because most of the people who worked at mine were too incompetent to pull a boat out of the water with a manual without putting the truck in the lake.

 

[rebar]

Finally got the radiator in my hands. Turn out its not hard water deposits but solder bloom. Looks just like the pics.. White crust around the outside of the tubes but not inside.

Iv got a 50/50 mix of white distilled vinegar sitting in it now.. How long should I let it sit? Then a baking soda/water mix to neutralize and rinse it out?

Thanks