Radflush on Aluminum Engines

[Spinal]

Has anyone used RADFlush on aluminum engines?

My concern is that it may weaken the plastic/aluminum bond between the radiator and the expansion tank on top...

M.

 

[johnsco]

Do you have any particular reason to want to flush it ?
I've never really seen much evidence of build-up of sludge in aluminium engines with aluminium rads.
It used to be quite different with cast iron engines and copper-alloy rads.

 

[Spinal]

The car's been standing still for 6 years, and as I've never had an aluminum engine I automatically presumed it would be full of gunk as the anti-oxidant degraded?

M.

 

[Dieselman]

Depending on how old it was before the car was laid up, the anti-corrosion won't have degraded much if it was just standing, however I have a car that was standing for 7 years and the block is definitely rusty.

 

[DSM10000]

Perhaps start with a drain and a reverse flush, refill with coolant, run until hot , cool, drain, flush and re-fill?

 

[johnsco]

+1
Should do the trick.

 

[Spinal]

That's the plan- was just thinking that some radflush may be beneficial... guess I'll just do a normal flush

 

[DSM10000]

Most manufactures seem to recommend coolant changes at extended intervals now, MB I believe have 15 year coolant changes for some models.

As the car has not been used for 6 years there will have been no thermal degradation of the coolant so it should have been well protected.

Just a thought, would it be wise to check the cylinder head bolts for the correct torque and also check all hoses and cooling system connections before starting the engine?

 

[bedwards1966]

I can't see rad flush would do any harm, it's only in there for a few minutes to loosen the gunk, then it gets flushed out thoroughly with water.
As said, it might not need it, but if you find muck in there at any point and feel it would benefit, I wouldn't worry about using it.

 

[johnsco]

Certainly check the hoses and cooling system connections ... Although any leaks will soon become evident as the engine warms up.
The cylinder head bolt torque will not have altered because the car has been laid-up for a while.

 

[Spinal]

Too late there... the car was driven to my house a few days/weeks ago... slowly going through all the filters/fluids before I start using her as a dog-limo

M.