Using Vinegar to flush out Cooling System

[sweefu]

Has anyone tried using vinegar to flush out their cooling system? I've heard it works well, though never tried it myself. The only problem I can see is that it will clean out so much crap that I may have some holes that will no longer be blocked (This is in my old Skyline not my Berlina)
Was going to fill it with 2-4 litres of vinegar, run the car until the thermostat opens, then drain out the vinegar, fill with water, repeat, then drain and fill with coolant.
Anyone have any experience or thoughts?

Cheers.

[petergl67]

Never tried vinegar. I think if u have no probs with car temps or car heating up just do a standard flush. I'm guessing vinegar can damage the motor cause of the salt content and might corrode and stick to some things. Hope this helps

[showbags]

Haven't heard this one,but in theory it should work. Vinegar is acidic, but running it till it's hot may make your car smell like a winery every time you turn the heater/air con on ( not good when you get pulled over at the breatho ).

[petergl67]

Yea thought about the smell it wouldn't be the best but I guess if u do do it it will eventually smell less over time

[sweefu]

Smell isn't an issue, I rarely drive the car, it's pretty much just for drift / touge / track sort of fun . I might try a diluted solution, 50/50 water and vinegar, I'd like to do a decent flush because the radiator was full of muck, I imagine all the block etc is in the same condition.

[petergl67]

I got this from google for ya

So its got me thinking since vinegar worked way better than chemical rust removal products, why wouldnt it work for a radiator flush. Iv used the prestone flushes for a while but still have little result. Couldnt find anything on the binderplanet but when googled, many forums discussed how you shouldnt do it , but they were worried about their aluminum engines and exotic materials that might suffer when exposed to the vinegar. Not having an aluminum block I cant see why it shouldnt work. Standard routine- Pull out thermostat, Do a 50/50 mix water/vinegar, run it till hot let it sit for a few hours or overnight? Flush with water, drain, fill with coolant.

[sweefu]

Thanks mate, I happen to read that. Google didn't provide a heap of information. I think I'll give it a go, maybe 50/50 vinegar and water. I really don't see that causing a lot of harm, considering how strong proper radiator flush is.

[monkeys437]

I've always found standard radiator flush works very well, why not stick to that? After I did my manifold gaskets I ran some and it got rid of all the milky deposits in about 2 flushes

[sweefu]

Radiator flush does work pretty well I agree, but I have a lot of vinegar here :P, and I've got a small dog, I'd prefer not to use harsh chemicals where possible, and lastly .. always been curious by this, so want to test it out.

[showbags]

Let us know how it turns out sweefu. I'm quite interested in this one. The less chemicals we need to use the better.

[sweefu]

So far so good, cleaning out lots of corrosion and gunk. Left the car running for about a half an hour, highest temp was 90degrees. I'll leave it sit until Saturday, when I will run the car for another 20 minutes or so and drain it all out. I'll post results then.

[ari666]

here is one for ya:

1 whole tablet of 'finish' diswashing detergent. the one with the powerball in it. drive 50km, then drain the water and refill.


LOTS of shit comes out sodium and some other lime scale remover in the tablets help dissolve [stuff] inside the rad.

[sweefu]

Damn I wish I'd tried that. Probably shouldn't mix it with vinegar lol.

[VS_Pete_1]

I`m thinking

[Commydoor]

ive heard vodka has good cleaning properties besides medicinal qualities as well...it can be used in many many ways besides drinking so cant see why it wouldnt clean a radiator...will have side effects though...car may slur the auto, only one headlight will work and careen sideways all without leaving the driveway...

[sweefu]

Sounds very expensive.

[ari666]

wouldnt wanna see what the sugar residue does to your watergalleries either

[Dayvo]

Using vinegar was popular years ago before the market was flooded with additives . Another one was to flush your engine with auto tranny fluid , bit expensive though

[sweefu]

Yeah I've heard of the auto fluid to flush motor, never been game to try it, I hope I never have a car with a motor so dirty it needs it haha