The truck is all torn apart. In its former life, the PO used a crapload of Barrs leaks to mask all kinds of drips and now there are a bunch of little leaks cropping up. I have intake gaskets, stat, heater core, radiator, water pump and gaskets, etc all ready to go back in, but I want to rig up something to flush the block as well as I can. I know I'll never get all the crap out, just tired of every flush leading to copper-colored coolant three days after its flushed.
Can you guys think of a cleaner/solvent that would be good to get some of the crap out before I fill a brand new radiator and heater core with icky coolant? I have a bunch of fittings ready to hook up a pump to the lower hose, so I was thinking about a 5 gallon bucket full of [insert motor flush liquid] and just turn on the pump for a few hours.
Most flushing products are mildly acidic - great for scale and rust, but it's the exact opposite of what I need for dissolution of gummy stuff. Soapy products might work, but I'll never get it all out and it could negatively affect the chemistry of the coolant. I tried to think of a solvent that evaporates fully at lower-than-boiling temps so any remnants would evaporate as I got it up to temperature, but nothing screams death like an open bucket of acetone.
Can you think of any ideas?
ShawnG
UltimaDork
4/19/20 4:22 p.m.
Alcohol? It's a strong solvent but a water wash will get rid of it pretty easily and it will evaporate out on it's own quickly.
very interested ......sitting in the corner listening intently
ShawnG said:
Alcohol? It's a strong solvent but a water wash will get rid of it pretty easily and it will evaporate out on it's own quickly.
and pretty cheap.... I wonder if anyone has any in stock with the pandemic.
Also wondering how it will treat the rubber hoses.
ShawnG
UltimaDork
4/19/20 8:15 p.m.
In reply to L5wolvesf :
Most flushing products are mildly acidic - great for scale and rust, but it's the exact opposite of what I need for dissolution of gummy stuff.
In reply to Curtis73 (Forum Supporter) :
You should be able to buy methyl hydrate by the gallon at any boat shop. I don't think they would be using it as hand santitizer since it's the wrong kind of alcohol for human consumption.
You think methanol would be nicer on the rubber?
ShawnG
UltimaDork
4/19/20 10:50 p.m.
It's stove fuel and an approved additive to remove water from gasoline in fuel systems, I would think it would be safe on rubber parts.
Maybe leave a piece of radiator hose in a tub of it overnight to see what happens.
I have used TSP mixed rather strong with no problem. I found it works best with hot water and better if the motor is hot/running. If time allows I would run it for a little while and even drive it a bit and flush it out with water and repeat.
I found two or three times and it will run clear or almost clear when draining the tsp mix. To me that is done. You may want to add a small amount of dawn dish soap also to cut surface tension. Along with the tsp. Foaming can be a problem if you put to much but I have never had a issue.
Hmmm... TSP is also a base and a mild surfactant. I would bet with a bit of laundry detergent (anti-sudsing additives) it might really do the trick. Thoughts on concentration?
I will be able to run it (pump in a 5 gallon bucket) but not drive it. I'll just run it until the bucket is steaming 
Right now I'm fighting with finding a valve cover. It was leaking which isn't a big surprise for a 1994. I tore it all apart to find brand new FelPro valve cover gaskets... and a torn/rusted bolt hole near the leak.
I wouldn't put methanol near natural rubber unless diluted quite a bit.
