add soap to coolant?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2000
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From: Vancouver BC, Canada
add soap to coolant?
I read in a Corvette Resto book that a good way to clean the cooling system is to add some detergent and then drive around for a while. This cleans and removes rust and corrosion. Then rinse by flushing the engine, rad, and hoses thoroughly with fresh water. Is that a good idea? Has anyone done it?
Laundry or dish soap? :jester
Laundry or dish soap? :jester
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
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Re: add soap to coolant? (Turbo-Jet)
Ever try dish detergent (versus dishwasher detergent) in a dishwasher? Not a pretty sight :eek: I think I'd stick with Prestone or Zerex Radiator Flush :yesnod:
Now, I did give a thought to trying some vinegear in there for my latest flush :crazy:
Now, I did give a thought to trying some vinegear in there for my latest flush :crazy:
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,254
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From: Edinburgh
Re: add soap to coolant? (Turbo-Jet)
I added dishwashing detergent to the fresh water I put in the rad when I first got the car. I ran it for a while then flushed it out thoroughly. Did it make a difference? I am not sure, my car was not over heating before, I just did it because it was easy to do and it did no harm!
:cool: :cheers:
:cool: :cheers:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2000
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From: near VIENNA, AUSTRIA
Re: add soap to coolant? (Turbo-Jet)
I read in a Corvette Resto book that a good way to clean the cooling system is to add some detergent and then drive around for a while. This cleans and removes rust and corrosion. Then rinse by flushing the engine, rad, and hoses thoroughly with fresh water. Is that a good idea? Has anyone done it?
Just take a washing Laundry or dish soap? :jester
Just take a washing Laundry or dish soap? :jester
I´ll do it the same way.
Just try to take a detergent that doesn´t lather too much.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 1999
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From: Moon Township PA
Re: add soap to coolant? (Turbo-Jet)
I don't imagine that it would hurt anything but don't expect soap to remove scale or deposits. It will probably help to remove any dirt or oil based contamination.
Gary
Gary
Drifting
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From: Manchester, Dead Center in the Middle of TN 25 miles to Jack Daniels,10 miles to Geo Dickle, and .8 mile from the Liquor Store at I-24 Exit 114
St. Jude Donor '05
Re: add soap to coolant? (GaryS)
This is the same thing as Water Wetter It is an old Firemans trick or even the US military.
Fireman use a mix in Detergent with their water tank to let the water adhere to the object instead of just running off. The Military used this theory with Napalm. Napalm is only a mix of the same Detergent and Gasoline. The gas burns and the soap lets it adhere to whatever it hits.
Water Wetter is a detergent soap that is added to a cooling system to let the water again adhere to the metal in the engine and provide a better degree of cooling. If you have ever spit on a pot belly stove when it was hot the water will bead up and run. The addition of soap to the water will let it stick to it causing a better cool.
JIM :smash:
Fireman use a mix in Detergent with their water tank to let the water adhere to the object instead of just running off. The Military used this theory with Napalm. Napalm is only a mix of the same Detergent and Gasoline. The gas burns and the soap lets it adhere to whatever it hits.
Water Wetter is a detergent soap that is added to a cooling system to let the water again adhere to the metal in the engine and provide a better degree of cooling. If you have ever spit on a pot belly stove when it was hot the water will bead up and run. The addition of soap to the water will let it stick to it causing a better cool.
JIM :smash:
C6 the C5 of tomorrow
Joined: Nov 2000
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From: Twin Cities Minnesota
Re: add soap to coolant? (PROSOUTH)
Well I think there is a difference between detergent and things like water wetter and Napalm :rolleyes:
While they all share one property they are really quite different.
Water wetter is mostly a 'Surfactant' it reduces the surface tension of water so it wets to things better. But it also contains lubricants and corrosion inhibitors
napalm does contain a surfactant I'm sure but it also contains a thickening agent so you get big globs of napalm stuck to you:eek:
Dishwashing detergent does contain surfactants but mostly contains alkalyds to strip the dirt off the dishes.
BTW I think it is probably a good idea to use a detergent to clean the rad of a newly aquired car and refil with distilled, you never know what bubba has put in it...
my .02
While they all share one property they are really quite different.
Water wetter is mostly a 'Surfactant' it reduces the surface tension of water so it wets to things better. But it also contains lubricants and corrosion inhibitors
napalm does contain a surfactant I'm sure but it also contains a thickening agent so you get big globs of napalm stuck to you:eek:
Dishwashing detergent does contain surfactants but mostly contains alkalyds to strip the dirt off the dishes.
BTW I think it is probably a good idea to use a detergent to clean the rad of a newly aquired car and refil with distilled, you never know what bubba has put in it...
my .02
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From: Near Raleigh NC
Re: add soap to coolant? (Larry82)
ok, so what would be the mixture? If you use a surfactant, or dishwashing liquid, what brand and about how much? I know it works in my bug and hort sprayer, just never tried it in a auto. hmmmm. :smash:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Lake Villa IL
Cruise-In IV Veteran
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St. Jude Contributor
Re: add soap to coolant? (Turbo-Jet)
Not to get way off topic, but...
I always understood Napalm to be a mixture of petroleum jelly and gasoline. Same idea, different ingredient.
I always understood Napalm to be a mixture of petroleum jelly and gasoline. Same idea, different ingredient.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Living in the Hartland
Re: add soap to coolant? (81VETTOM)
ok, so what would be the mixture? If you use a surfactant, or dishwashing liquid, what brand and about how much? I know it works in my bug and hort sprayer, just never tried it in a auto. hmmmm. :smash:
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
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From: Huntersville NC
Re: add soap to coolant? (Fevre)
I have heard of using a dishWASHER detergent, like Calgonite, in your radiator. You might try some kind of powder that you would put in your dishwasher. I would not use liquid or powder designed for washing clothes or the liquid designed for washing dishes in a sink. I think that stuff would suds too much. If you have actually done it successfully pls chime in, but don't be the first to try it! :) MJ
[Modified by MNJack, 11:31 AM 10/1/2002]
[Modified by MNJack, 11:31 AM 10/1/2002]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Roanoke Virginia
Re: add soap to coolant? (jerryp58)
Ever try dish detergent (versus dishwasher detergent) in a dishwasher? Not a pretty sight :eek:
Suds, suds everywhere. Blew the seal on the dishwasher as well :smash:
Race Director
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From: Living in the Hartland
Re: add soap to coolant? (thejaf)
Ever try dish detergent (versus dishwasher detergent) in a dishwasher? Not a pretty sight :eek:
Yeah, when I was a kid. I thought the only difference was regular dish soap wasn't as strong. So I made sure to use a whole lot more regular dish soap :eek: :smash:
Suds, suds everywhere. Blew the seal on the dishwasher as well :smash:
Yeah, when I was a kid. I thought the only difference was regular dish soap wasn't as strong. So I made sure to use a whole lot more regular dish soap :eek: :smash:
Suds, suds everywhere. Blew the seal on the dishwasher as well :smash:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Austin TX
Re: add soap to coolant? (Fevre)
This was covered in an old issue of Keepin Track of Vettes magazine.
They recommended two tablespoons of Tide, run for 50 miles or so at temp and flush with water. Then refill with antifreeze and distilled water.
They reported that the soap removed all kinds of crud, turned the fluid dark brown and removed some corrosion.
The result of their test was a cooler running radiator.
They recommended two tablespoons of Tide, run for 50 miles or so at temp and flush with water. Then refill with antifreeze and distilled water.
They reported that the soap removed all kinds of crud, turned the fluid dark brown and removed some corrosion.
The result of their test was a cooler running radiator.
Le Mans Master
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Re: add soap to coolant? (flynhi)
.....They recommended two tablespoons of Tide......
MY AUNT CUMI USED POWERED TIDE TO WASH HER HAIR FOR 40 YRS OR MORE. SHE FOLLOWED THE WASH WITH A VINIGAR AND WATER RINSE. AND SHE HAD THE MOST BEAUTIFUL DARK AUBURN HAIR WITH VERY LITTLE GREY. SHE CLAIMED SHE WAS ALLERGIC TO MODERN SHAMPOOS AND CONDITIONERS . AND OF COURSE TIDE WAS HER NUMBER ONE CHOICE FOR HER LAUNDRY TOO. MY WHOLE FAMILY HAS ALWAYS USED TIDE. GRANDMOTHER, MOTHER, AUNT AND BOTH MY SISTERS AND ME AND MY TWO DAUGHTERS. I GUESS YOU COULD SAY IT'S ONE OF OUR FAMILY TRADITIONS.
:lol: