Heater Core Flush: Procedure and chemical recommendations? (1 Viewer)

[LJE]

Hi folks,

I'd like to flush both of my heater cores while I have my engine out. The previous owner sold this vehicle because the original radiator split open, dumped all the coolant and severely baked the original engine. I'm afraid the heater cores may have baked coolant residue in them.

I'd like to address this before installing my new engine and radiator - I ordered a adaptor that will let me connect my garden hose to the heater hoses in order to both forward and back flush the heater cores, and will certainly follow up by flushing with distilled water too. I'm curious if any Mud members have also used any chemicals/flush products in the past? Not sure if I'll be dealing with any rust that made it's way into the core from the engine or not.

 

[baltistyle]

Hi folks,

I'd like to flush both of my heater cores while I have my engine out. The previous owner sold this vehicle because the original radiator split open, dumped all the coolant and severely baked the original engine. I'm afraid the heater cores may have baked coolant residue in them.

I'd like to address this before installing my new engine and radiator - I ordered a adaptor that will let me connect my garden hose to the heater hoses in order to both forward and back flush the heater cores, and will certainly follow up by flushing with distilled water too. I'm curious if any Mud members have also used any chemicals/flush products in the past? Not sure if I'll be dealing with any rust that made it's way into the core from the engine or not.

You need to use a product that is safe on aluminum. Think coil cleaners or a light degreaser. I have used one of the garden hose adapters in the past and it worked tremendously well on a very clogged system of a different car. I just ran it in both directions many times and went from basically no heat, to a system that worked well.