TimFX Posted July 30, 2017 Report Share Posted July 30, 2017 (edited) My P15 is running a little hot so I've been thinking about doing a rad flush with this. http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/prestone-radiator-flush-plus-cleaner-0380811p.html#srp Is it safe to use this crap in my 70 year old rad? thanks! Edited July 30, 2017 by TimFX Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plymouthy Adams Posted July 30, 2017 Report Share Posted July 30, 2017 many folks also consider a non chemical style agent like Cascade anti sudsing dish detergent..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Los_Control Posted July 30, 2017 Report Share Posted July 30, 2017 another alternative, that I have never tried but you can google. Is using straight vinegar, cheap by the gallon, not caustic and reports says it works ok. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
55 Fargo Posted July 30, 2017 Report Share Posted July 30, 2017 (edited) How about some more info on your "overheating symptoms"? Was this rad cleaned out?, did you ever pull the waterpump and water distribution tube and clean them out and to verify its condition? Many times the engine coolant passage get crudded up, and you need to pull frost plugs and clean them out. Anyways, give us an update of the overheating temps, symptoms and what has been done to date...... Edited July 30, 2017 by 55 Fargo Spitfire Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keithb7 Posted July 30, 2017 Report Share Posted July 30, 2017 (edited) I tried that Prestone stuff at Canadian Tire. Not great. I put two bottles of it in there and ran it a couple of weeks. Flushed it out. It did very little. I recommend pulling the rad. It's easy to do. Pull all hoses and fill and flush the rad a few times in the driveway. I did it like this a few times and the gushing outflow is what you need to see. Then you know the rad is pretty clear. If you do not get a good stream, time to take to the rad shop for a professional flush. Worked for me. https://youtu.be/8J6Zy9FVLRo Your radiator is only one part of all the parts that effectively work together to cool your engine. It is a good place to start, flushing and cleaning out the rad. However this may or may not help with your overheating issues. Other cooling system items include: Hoses condition, rad cap, water distribution tube, scale and rust in your block, waterpump, clear clean air external passages in rad, thermostat, bent fan blades. An engine can also run hot if it is running lean, or has incorrect spark timing. A poorly tuned engine, and a marginally acceptable cooling system, may seem to be effective all year except when the hot days of July and Aug in the northern hemisphere are here. There comes a point where it just cant cool enough, with the increased ambient temps. You may very well have reached this point. Edited July 30, 2017 by keithb7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Horne Posted July 30, 2017 Report Share Posted July 30, 2017 I flushed my 38 rad with rain water many times one summer a few years ago. It had not run hot, but needed cleaning anyway. "Soft water", (rain water or from a water conditioner), makes a good cleaning agent. I only added coolant, no water. Several years now since, and the cooling system looks very good..... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
55 Fargo Posted July 30, 2017 Report Share Posted July 30, 2017 11 minutes ago, Robert Horne said: I flushed my 38 rad with rain water many times one summer a few years ago. It had not run hot, but needed cleaning anyway. "Soft water", (rain water or from a water conditioner), makes a good cleaning agent. I only added coolant, no water. Several years now since, and the cooling system looks very good..... Interesting cooling system monitor.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimFX Posted July 30, 2017 Author Report Share Posted July 30, 2017 I'll try pulling and flushing the rad next weekend. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Horne Posted August 2, 2017 Report Share Posted August 2, 2017 On 7/30/2017 at 3:40 PM, 55 Fargo Spitfire said: Interesting cooling system monitor.. Sight glass used on boilers.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
medium_jon Posted August 2, 2017 Report Share Posted August 2, 2017 That is neat @Robert Horne do you have a source for them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Horne Posted August 4, 2017 Report Share Posted August 4, 2017 On 8/1/2017 at 10:47 PM, medium_jon said: That is neat @Robert Horne do you have a source for them? Found these on ebay a few years ago, about $10....... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
medium_jon Posted August 4, 2017 Report Share Posted August 4, 2017 Thanks @Robert Horne . Yes, search for Boiler Sight Glass and a nice number of Pyrex glass tubes come up around that price on ebay. Are you using the hose that goes to/from the heater valve at the back of the engine? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flatie46 Posted August 4, 2017 Report Share Posted August 4, 2017 I also saw those clear tubes advertised in a Jeep magazine but they were quite a bit more than 10bucks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Horne Posted August 4, 2017 Report Share Posted August 4, 2017 8 hours ago, medium_jon said: Thanks @Robert Horne . Yes, search for Boiler Sight Glass and a nice number of Pyrex glass tubes come up around that price on ebay. Are you using the hose that goes to/from the heater valve at the back of the engine? I installed the glass on the hose that comes from the heater and goes to the water pump, easy to see the coolant..... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimFX Posted August 5, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 5, 2017 Just opened the rad cap. It is caked with brown sludge... pulling the rad now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimFX Posted August 5, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 5, 2017 Anyone know if a replacement thermostat is 160 or 180deg ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerry Roberts Posted August 5, 2017 Report Share Posted August 5, 2017 Your choice . Some think that a 160 doesn't let the engine get warm enough . If you drive in a lot of colder weather a 180 will also get you more heat to the inside of your cab from your heater faster . I run a 160 . 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimFX Posted August 6, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 6, 2017 Flushed the rad till it ran clear. Refilled with 50/50 strangely, it only took half the amount of fluid that's listed in the manual is there another drain on the engine for the fluid that's inside the block? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keithb7 Posted August 6, 2017 Report Share Posted August 6, 2017 Yes. Look for block drain petcock on the side of the block near distributor. Open it and the block will drain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimFX Posted August 6, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 6, 2017 Fffffffffuuuuuuuu.... ok. Now I know Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimFX Posted August 6, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 6, 2017 This the tap? Between oil breather and distributor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keithb7 Posted August 6, 2017 Report Share Posted August 6, 2017 (edited) Yes thats it. Just twist it until the coolant flows out. No need to try and remove the drain assembly completely. Edited August 6, 2017 by keithb7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
55 Fargo Posted August 6, 2017 Report Share Posted August 6, 2017 If it don't flow, unbolt it, and use a pick and get the crud out to make it flow... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keithb7 Posted August 6, 2017 Report Share Posted August 6, 2017 TimFX did you remove the lower rad hose to flush it multiple times? Or just drain it at the little rad drain petcock, then refill? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimFX Posted August 6, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 6, 2017 Clearly, I have not done the whole job. Back at it tomorrow. drain the block (pick the crud) remove the lower rad hose and flush multiple times. Its all all a great learning experience. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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