Heater Core Flush (1 Viewer)

[nissanh]

My front heater blows just warm air. Flushed twice with a garden hose without any additives and saw a slight improvement.

The area I live in has lots of dissolved carbonates (calcium and magnesium) and I wanted to do some chemistry now.
CaCO3 + 2H+ = Ca2+ and H2CO3; this H2CO3 will decompose to CO2 and H2O.

I went with 9% vinegar (used 2 gallons). I filled the heater core with vinegar and left overnight and flushed it out with pressurized air (40-50 psi). Then refilled again with vinegar and did the same for 14 days! Each time I flush, I collected the particles that came out (see pictures). Yes, the truck sat 14 days at home!

Check out the last picture for improvement!

 

[white_lx]

Interesting information. Thanks for sharing. Btw. if you use vinegar, the calcium carbonate will dissolve. So the actual amount of calcium in the mixture is much more than just the loosened up material that is shown in the pictures.

Where is the Calcium coming from? Did you or PO use tap water to mix the coolant?

 

[nissanh]

^^ Correct. I have a gallon of removed vinegar waiting to be evaporated to find out the residue. I must reprecipitate Calcium as CaCO3 to find out the amount that was actually in the heater core.

Definitely not me! It was the PO and I am sure they use city water!