Yes, another coolant flush question

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May 15, 2018 | 02:39 PM

mastersativa

Thread Starter

Mountain Pass

Joined: Jul 2009

Posts: 168

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Yes, another coolant flush question

I was wondering if anyone has tried running clr through instead of vc9. I would think it should work but just was hoping to get someone's first hand experience before I go for it.

May 15, 2018 | 08:35 PM

EXSwap

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Jan 2017

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Ehh...not sure I would. I’ve seen vinegar used in other engines, but not CLR.

Personally, I wouldn’t run any of it unless you’re already planning on doing an oil cooler swap. All that stuff breaking up in there would clog it IMHO. I suppose if you’re already having cooler issues, it wouldn’t be a bad idea as you’re changing it anyhow. I flushed mine by draining the system, opening everything up (except for the block drain near the starter, and idling with a hose stuck in the degas bottle. Then several flushes with distilled water, then finish with an ELC and distilled water. I also added a coolant filter. First filter change netted a tablespoon of sand just from pouring it out. I’m sure if I’d cut it open, I would have gotten more.

May 15, 2018 | 09:08 PM

mastersativa

Thread Starter

Mountain Pass

Joined: Jul 2009

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I am not currently planning on changing the oil cooler, but I may have to, my deltas are ranging from 10 to 15 on the highway, so I'm sure I'm heading for trouble soon. I wanted to try and clean then flush the hell outta it and see what happens. I just got the truck a couple weeks ago and already rebuilt the rear pinion and carrier with me gears, and did the front ball joints and axle joints. Kinda hurting the wallet at the moment, going I can clean and flush and not drop another five hundred in it just yet. But will probably have to, just hoping maybe there's a chance, lol. Thanks for the input, more food for thought.

May 15, 2018 | 09:15 PM

SmackDaddy

Postmaster

Joined: Sep 2016

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From: Texas

Hell no! I would use distilled water and see how much crap comes out of the block and radiator drains then go VC-9 after if you need more. I flushed mine with about 20 gallons of distilled water and my deltas are 4-6 degrees a year later.

May 15, 2018 | 11:01 PM

mastersativa

Thread Starter

Mountain Pass

Joined: Jul 2009

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Yeah I'm gonna do the back flush on the cooler, then flush through the heater, then flush with a whole lot of distilled, then I will see where I stand with how it looked at start of flush till it runs as clear as I can get. Thanks for the comments

May 16, 2018 | 05:44 AM

Yahiko

Fleet Owner

Joined: Apr 2012

Posts: 27,307

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From: Spanaway

They have a tool for that. As I understand it it also has a port for injecting air to really kick up the turbulence,

You will have to check on the air port to be sure on that fact.
Oil Cooler Backflush Valve Kit - Gen 2

EDIT: Looks like that is not an option but not that hard to add it with a simple T on the hose side.
Just watch the air pressure. You don't want to blow a hole in the cooler. The other thing to do is
add pulsation to the water flow. That will also knock crud loose.

May 16, 2018 | 02:23 PM

EMC V10 X

Senior User

Joined: Oct 2010

Posts: 276

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From: Bonita Springs FL

I have used CLR on marine engines but they have open cooling and plenty of fresh water flushing after complete. I am not sure I would use it in a closed loop.