Whats the best thing for cleaning out an alloy header tank, its coated in brown rusty water inside, also when i removed the top & bottom hoses noticed they are a bit crudded with brown rusty sludge, was going to run a coolant flush through the engine, is that the best thing to clean out the system ? Its not really that bad but i'm a bit fussy.

Any ideas what to use ?

Simon.

 

vinegar dude works really well. but dont use through the system

 

Can't argue with a man called 'The Sludge' on this topic

 

 

Thanks for the advise You obviously know your sludge

Used the last of the vinegar on the chips last night Will buy some tommorrow

Thanks Simon.

 

I think I read somewhere that baking soda works too.

 

If you can get to Halfords they do a rad cleaner. You pour this in to the top of the rad and fill up as normal with water. Obviosuly this circulates through the entire cooling system so will clean your header tank and any shit you have in the water pipes. they do 2 types a noraml and heavy duty version. Works very well.

 

It's white vinegar you need to buy.

 

You might try pickles or mayonaise

 

take the header tank off, plug and fill with caustic soda.

give it a shake, then leave and this will clean it a treat.

 

Removed the header tank & filled with vinegar, its been in there a couple of hours but hasn't really done much to shift the brown crap in the bottom, do i need to leave it overnight ? Where would i buy caustic soda from ?

Simon.

 

My engine is dead Simon

Steve.

 

the rust is prob from the small metal pipe that bypass's the rad..

get yourself a new one or the rusty water will just come back after you clean it

 

Do you mean the metal pipe at the bottom of the rad that usually rusts real bad ? If so i changed it a couple of years ago for a bling polished item.

Simon.

 

Stick it in the dishwasher.

 

Water

 

yeah mate...your sorted then