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COOLANT QUESTION

Posted: 04 Nov 2007 07:03
by tr7inc
Hi just wonderd my coolant or head tanl is the steel version one, i drained it yesterday cos it had lost its colour and the tank itself itside had dirt deposits in it just wondered is there anything i can put in the tank to clean the inside out before putting it back on the car?
Many thanks

Steve

Posted: 04 Nov 2007 09:13
by John Clancy
I think you ought to give your whole system a good flush through Steve. If the header has 'dirt' in it then there is the possibility of blockage somewhere.

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Posted: 04 Nov 2007 09:34
by john 215
Hi Steve,
I agree with John,it can also be worth reverse flushing your radiator ie. remove the rad and using a hose pipe reverse flush the rad.The build up of this crud can be a cause of overheating and after 25+ years there will always be some present. You can also buy cooling system flushing fluids.Always run a good quality antifreeze as well.
Cheers John.

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Posted: 04 Nov 2007 09:34
by tr7inc
Thanks John, it was just the inside of the tank itself the clean it up

ill see you next satat theshow John

Steve

Posted: 05 Nov 2007 16:17
by Rblackadar
If there's that much crud in the system, I'd take the rad. to a professional and have the thing pressure tested, acid dipped(or whatever they use), and have the coolant flow rate tested. That's something I'd never screw with it since that's such a vital system on the car. then I'd go through everything in the cooling system.Take the hoses off the heater core and flush the heater core, then reverse flush it. make sure all your rubber and metal hoses and pipes are free of debris. You wouldn't believe what you'll find. Just this week I was checking the metal heater return pipe that splits coolant to the manifold and water pump and found that the little elbow to the manifold was sealed shut at the factory from welding.....Like I said, check everything!!!

Posted: 05 Nov 2007 17:01
by paul w
Just to go along with you lot,i went through the cooling system completely when i did the head recon job recently.Today the wedge had its first real test,a 120 mile round trip from Essex to Knightsbridge(London W1)and back.The temp guage remained around the 1/4 mark on the M11 and in heavy prolonged traffic through the west end.So the cooling system works well if its looked after.I run a 50% antifreeze mix allways using the 'phosphate free'type to protect the ally waterways from corrosion.A higher % mix also lowers the boiling point.I only have the original mech fan,and it does the job,so i won't be fitting an electric to this car.Oh,by the way,a Rasta in a big Lexus on Park lane pulled up next to me,wound down his electric window,got my attention with an "OI,Mate!"and a 'thumb's up',"I 'ad wonna'those once,great car,looks better than i remember."Thats quite a compliment from a bloke in a 30k+ motor,i thought as i returned his 'thumb's up'.Now the general public are warming to the wedge - what ever next!

See ya. Paul


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Posted: 05 Nov 2007 17:07
by ngtf
Hi Steve, I think we all appreciate that you have only found crud (so far) in your header tank but, as the guys say here, if there is crud in the header tank then bet your bottom dollar you will have more of it elsewhere as well. Take the advise given here and completely flush the whole system properly. I, like Paul, use a 50% mix of phosphate free antifreeze, make sure it is good quality and it will look after your engine.

Cheers

Gary

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Posted: 05 Nov 2007 18:29
by tr7inc
Thanks All i will do everything said. many thanks again

Steve