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I purchased a new griffin aluminum radiator about two years ago, my engine had some rust in it and I think it has reduced the efficiency of the radiator cooling. I want to have the radiator cleaned properly, what should a good cleaning/coring cost? or is there a product over the counter that dissolves buildup that I can try first.
As always thatnks for the info.
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Send PMFrederick, MD - USA
Joined: 9/8/2003
Posts: 3398
Vette(s): 1969 convertible L71 427/435 4-speed black interior
Ask several radiator shops for what they might charge. You'll probably find prices all over the board. Last year I had a radiator cleaned out and pressure tested...it cost me $30. Several years ago I had a radiator for a different car re-cored...that was about $300. That also included a core with more fins per inch for additional cooling surface. A standard core would have cost somewhat less.
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If the radiator is only 2 years old, and you had the right mixture of coolant, it shouldn't be badly limed up. If the block is rusty it will leave deposits over the tubes on the inlet side. If that's the case, a good back-flush should open them up. I would normally charge around $30-40 once the rad is off. No there really is no chemical short of using muriatic acid to remove rust. And I would HIGHLY not recommend using it if you have no means to power-flush the rad.
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Can I back flush myself or is there special equipment to do this?
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Well Scott. They do make flush tees you can put in the heater hose. However all this really does is rinse out old coolant with water pressure. Really the only way to clean the rad is to bring it to a rad shop & have it power flushed. Sometimes this gets the crud out and increases the flow, and sometimes not. A rad shop can flow test the rad and see how bad its plugged, and see results after flushing. While the rad is off you may want to use a flush tee to rinse out block.
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Terry,
How often should the system be flushed?
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I recommend every 2 years Dave. I wouldn't go over 3 without changing anti-freeze. If a car sits for long periods of time the rust inhibitor falls out of solution, and leaves sand (silica) deposits in the bottom of block and rad. So if you store your car for over a year, I would recommend flushing before you drive it, or run the motor once and a while to circulate the coolant.
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in Forum: C3 HVAC, Fuel, Emissions, and Exhaust
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