Radiator clean

[Adrian B]

Hi,whiist i'm in the process of restoration i wondered if it would be an idea lay the radiator flat and fill it with some sort of cleaner or de-scaler as it did sometimes start getting hot when sat in traffic on a hot day(with the kenlow going)...does/can normal kettle de scaler cause any harm???or any ideas of any good cleaners?thanks,Adrian.

[Goldstar]

Can’t see it being a problem but first thing to try is flushing it with a hose from the top and then from the bottom outlet. Might get most of it out as I think scale in a radiator is usually in flakes rather than stuck to the core

[Adrian B]

I've tried flushing each way with a hose (didn't notice much dirt coming out but also not sure how fast it should flow through)!!

[gbb483]

You could try filling it with hot water and checking that all the fins get warm.

[MandM]

I flushed mine with 2 litres of hot water and sachets of oust , blocked all the outlets up and sloshed it all about for 10minutes and then poured the content into a jug, this is what had come out after it had settled in the jug, was very surprised as I back flash etc every 2 yrs.

don't forget to add, cardboard to your newly painted rad before fitting to stop your marking it on the fan

1000001334.jpg 1000001789.jpg 1000001790.jpg

[Adrian B]

Thank's for the advice,spotted some oust in our kitchen cupboard!!

[Philip Wardle]

this is what had come out after it had settled in the jug, was very surprised

Wow !

[Lemp1953]

How many packets did you use ?

[KOY 23]

Hi CT.
1st photo, Are you sure it didn’t come from mumsnet?

[Phil S]

Also worth taking the drain plugs out of the block and getting any sand out that's still in there, it's a job for a wire coat hanger to have a good poke around

[Goldstar]

Also worth taking the drain plugs out of the block and getting any sand out that's still in there, it's a job for a wire coat hanger to have a good poke around

Preferably on a warm day so your armpits dry out quicker

[MandM]

How many packets did you use ?

2 but I only had it in there for 10 minutes sloshing it around, then flushed it out with the hose, runs cooler now

[MandM]

Also worth taking the drain plugs out of the block and getting any sand out that's still in there, it's a job for a wire coat hanger to have a good poke around

I drained the coolant from the block all nice and clean, but still flush it as you said, I also polished the brass plugs as it makes the easier to find/spot next time, a messy job all-round but worth doing.

[MandM]

Hi CT.
1st photo, Are you sure it didn’t come from mumsnet?

it did look like that

[Rigid]

When I first flushed my radiator I found a large lump of white 'wax' floating around, just small enough to get out of the filler hole but a big old lump.
Even now I can't work out where it came from - seemed to be too solid to be an egg white.