flushing engine block

[3jcelica]

My engine (3tgteu) sat for some time without being used. I have since had it in a car running for some time and have been through 2 radiators, one on the dyno, one on the track.

After I blew the one on the dyno I notice a fair bit of crud so I flushed the engine with some wynns stuff. I fair bit of stuff came out and it seemed reasonable clean, so it with another radiator that was not bad nick.

On the track the car started to overheat during the third 15min session, fair bit of steam coming out so I ended the session and the day. Looking at the radiator there seems to be a fair amount of scale still kicking around (which I suspect blocked this radiator up as well).

Now I want to put a new core in the radiator I have but fear more scale will only block this one up.

So my question is how should I flush the block, and can it be done at home. If it was a street car I would just drive it to the local coolant specialist, and my car trailer is current only a pile of metal that requires welding together to resemble a trailer.

The engine will be going through a rebuild with appropriate treatment over summer but don’t want to have to redo a new radiator twice.

Any suggestions?

[RA35GT]

I pulled all the hoses and water pump and took all the core plugs out and ran a high pressure hose right into the block. That seemed to work pretty well.

[DrNick]

i was shown a very effective flushing technique by my mate at the radiator shop. first drain the radiator, undo top and bottom hoses and remove thermostat. then fill up the block with fresh water and when its full then blast some compressed air in along with the water pipe - dont go overboard here 20-30psi is heaps.
its a lot easier if you have someone helping you as they can hold the other pipe closed to build up a bit of pressure before letting it all out. you can flush it both ways to get all the crud out. last car i did this on was a celica that had a 90% blocked radiator from all the crap in there, it took half an hour of flushing, refill with good coolant and a year later there is no sign of any scale.

[essdubbya07]

hey
This is a related question
I have a 76 RA23 accident damaged that has been sitting undisturbed in my shed for a few (probably 6 or 7) years untouched (oh the shame)
The engine and cooling system is full of what by now must be old and ineffective coolant/inhibitor.
I am unable to start the engine (injectors probably gummed up) but it can be turned over by hand with the plugs out
I would like to flush and fill to ease my conscience and to preserve remaining intact (i hope) alloy head etc. 18RG injected
Any clues?
I swear I will finish this project one day

[legend]

done this to a car cooling system that i just couldn't get clean
drain radiator add draino then flush it out and get the radiator reco'd
worked for me

[river]

Hi,

Drain enough water out of the system to put in 2litres of coke.

Drive around for about 30-40 mins, and let stand over night, then flush.

seeyuzz
river

PS: I use normal coke.. not diet or caffeine free shit.

[matty12]

if you have a air compressor go and buy a flushing gun and hook it up to the compressor and a garden hose.Pull thermostat out and flush it through the top hose.If it uses a bypass style thermostat,block the little hole that the lower plate seals on in the engine otherwise it tends just to go through the bypass instead of the motor.

If you cant do that buy a inline filter that goes in the top hose and clean it regularly.

Garden hose on a heater hose also will rinse your block out too,probably wont lift any heavy stuff though.

[pandaah]

hey
This is a related question
I have a 76 RA23 accident damaged that has been sitting undisturbed in my shed for a few (probably 6 or 7) years untouched (oh the shame)
The engine and cooling system is full of what by now must be old and ineffective coolant/inhibitor.
I am unable to start the engine (injectors probably gummed up) but it can be turned over by hand with the plugs out
I would like to flush and fill to ease my conscience and to preserve remaining intact (i hope) alloy head etc. 18RG injected
Any clues?
I swear I will finish this project one day

mate with a car left for that long id take the plugs out and the rocker covers off, pour fresh oil over the cams and down the pistons and turn it over by hand for about 5 or 6 turns just to prime the delicates with fresh oil before start up.....



also with flushing the radiator the way i do it at work is to use a reverse flush tool, you take out the radiator and thermostat out (put the housing back on), put it in the top hose and hose clamp the radiator hose to the tool, connect a compressor line and turn the tap on and blast away till all the shit comes out and the water runs clear....

the tool isnt that expensive and im sure you could borrow someones compressor or something or maybe you already have one.... but thats how its done at a shop

[essdubbya07]

thanks pandaah
will try to find a flushing tool
maybe my neighbour has one - he designs and builds clubmans - hate him
hahaha

[pandaah]

haha one of those little fuckers tried racing me on the highway, couldnt overtake him till 160 man that thing hammered, caught up with him later to find out it had a N/A SR20... power to weight ratio ftw! lol

[river]

Hi,

So you drove over 160kph on a public road?

Not only is that stupidly dangerous, but it is not something we like to see posted in these forums. Save your fast driving for the track, not the public roads.

seeyuzz
river

[3jcelica]

That’s some great info guys, thanks. I will try some of the flushing methods stated here, river I have heard that vinegar works well also. I will try to get hold of a flushing gun while I do it. Once I have flushed using several different methods I will pull the radiator out and get it redone, and put one of these filters in line with the top hose.

http://www.mako.com.au/html/tefba_filter.html

And clean the filter regularly. Hopefully no more blocked radiators.

Roger

[pandaah]

shit my bad..... =( ill keep that in mind