'84 Radiator Rust-keep or replace
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 158
Likes: 0
From: Greenwood Indiana
'84 Radiator Rust-keep or replace
Hey, all
My '84 has 91K on it. The anti freeze looks more like red mud than antifreeze. I took out the overflow tank and cleaned it out--ran some radiator flush through the system, but getting the water to come out clear just isn't happening. The car doesn't over heat, and nothing leaks.
Do I just keep flushing away until it runs clear, or do I consider this radiator a loss and replace it? When I look inside the radiator with a flashlight, there is a coating of orange/brown stuff all over it.
I don't want to spend the $ if I don't need to, but I don't want my radiator causing more problems than the $ for a new one.
Thanks
Your pal,
Jason
My '84 has 91K on it. The anti freeze looks more like red mud than antifreeze. I took out the overflow tank and cleaned it out--ran some radiator flush through the system, but getting the water to come out clear just isn't happening. The car doesn't over heat, and nothing leaks.
Do I just keep flushing away until it runs clear, or do I consider this radiator a loss and replace it? When I look inside the radiator with a flashlight, there is a coating of orange/brown stuff all over it.
I don't want to spend the $ if I don't need to, but I don't want my radiator causing more problems than the $ for a new one.
Thanks
Your pal,
Jason
Last edited by IndyVette84; Mar 18, 2007 at 11:45 PM.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,691
Likes: 71
From: Phoenix Arizona
You may try removing the knock sensor and the plug on the other side of the block (if you haven't already), and flush the block. If it's not overheating you probably don't have a problem. New radiators are so cheap now I would replace with a new aluminum rather than fix the old one. Under NO circumstances put a brass radiator in the car.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
A new radiator won't fix it, your entire system is full of rust. The radiator is aluminum, that brown rust is from your engine block.
It will take many, many flushes before it comes out clear. There are layers from years of neglect that will take some time to remove.
Good way to power flush it is remove the tstat, reinstall the housing, disconnect both hoses from the radiator. Then jam your garden hose in one end, seal it up and blast the hell out of it. Do that on both ends a few times and you'll get a bunch of rust out.
And always use distilled water, never hose water when filling the system. The knock sensor plug should allow the coolant to drain from the block, although mine was solid metal behind it.
It will take many, many flushes before it comes out clear. There are layers from years of neglect that will take some time to remove.
Good way to power flush it is remove the tstat, reinstall the housing, disconnect both hoses from the radiator. Then jam your garden hose in one end, seal it up and blast the hell out of it. Do that on both ends a few times and you'll get a bunch of rust out.
And always use distilled water, never hose water when filling the system. The knock sensor plug should allow the coolant to drain from the block, although mine was solid metal behind it.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 158
Likes: 0
From: Greenwood Indiana
Bummmer--I knew this was a problem since i bought it, but this is "the year of the Vette" so I'm trying to fix all the issues.
I'll just keep flushing and hope for some clear water soon. Maybe I'll just keep changing the anti-freeze every month and hope for something good
Thanks
Jason
I'll just keep flushing and hope for some clear water soon. Maybe I'll just keep changing the anti-freeze every month and hope for something good
Thanks
Jason
Race Director
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 14,924
Likes: 9
From: Merritt Ils Fl
What CC said. Problem is not your radiator, its the years of rust that has migrated out of the block. I am sure there are very aggressive cleaners that will help and not destroy what you have.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 158
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From: Greenwood Indiana
Thanks to all!
I have been flushing all day long and now water is coming out clear! I'm going to fill it up and check back in a month. If it's still green, I'm golden, if not, I'll drain it and flush some more.
Jason
I have been flushing all day long and now water is coming out clear! I'm going to fill it up and check back in a month. If it's still green, I'm golden, if not, I'll drain it and flush some more.
Jason