Rust in the cooling system
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Winnipeg Manitoba
Rust in the cooling system
Hello. I have an '84 corvette which is stored during the winter 8 months a year. Before the season I always check everything before putting the car back on the road. This spring I noticed rust in the radiator around the cap. I topped up the fluid and spilled some, and this way I notice quite a bit of rust in it. Is this something to worry about? Is this an indication of some parts wearing off or should I use some kind of product to rinse the whole cooling system including the radiator? Thanks for the help
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,236
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From: Barely Here
Re: Rust in the cooling system (Vetteman84)
I'm not a crackerjack mechanic, but I think if you have your cooling system flushed out well and refilled, you shouldn't have a problem. Most radiators will show signs of rust over time.
Coot
Coot
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,828
Likes: 214
From: Charlestown IN
Cruise-In V Veteran
Re: Rust in the cooling system (Coot)
I'm not a crackerjack mechanic, but I think if you have your cooling system flushed out well and refilled, you shouldn't have a problem. Most radiators will show signs of rust over time.
:iagree:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 6,715
Likes: 2
From: Santa Teresa New Mexico
Re: Rust in the cooling system (Coot)
"Most radiators will show rust over time". I disagree. If theres rust then your anti freeze isn't working. Anti freeze should be changed out once a year.
Once you get rust in your radiator its there to stay. Radiators don't rust, engine blocks do. Diesel trucks have fliters on the coolant, rust can destroy the cyclinder liners. When they go the engine goes.
Change your coolant on a regular schedule until the rust color is at an acceptable level. It would take years of rust to destroy your engine but only months to effect the cooling system. Radiator blockage is caused by rust, as is water pump failure, theromstat failure, freeze plug failures, and on and on.
Rust never sleeps.
Once you get rust in your radiator its there to stay. Radiators don't rust, engine blocks do. Diesel trucks have fliters on the coolant, rust can destroy the cyclinder liners. When they go the engine goes.
Change your coolant on a regular schedule until the rust color is at an acceptable level. It would take years of rust to destroy your engine but only months to effect the cooling system. Radiator blockage is caused by rust, as is water pump failure, theromstat failure, freeze plug failures, and on and on.
Rust never sleeps.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Winnipeg Manitoba
Re: Rust in the cooling system (Vetteman84)
Is there a product of some sort than can used to clean the system at least to some extent than the fluid can be put in again? Also can CLR be used in the system, clean it than replace the fluid? Any idea if that would work? Overall as long as the fluid is changed should this be of any concern and is it normal?
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 13,356
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From: tucson AZ
St. Jude Donor '04 & '05
Re: Rust in the cooling system (Vetteman84)
When I first bought my '84 back about 10 years now.....the radiator was not looking good.....took it to a radiator shop.....and all the lower part of the radiator was cloged up......I had them replace and rebuild the radiator.....tons of rust.......
Now after all these years.....taking care of the vette....everything is right on.....
You should probably do the same thing......the rust will also eat at your rear plugs.....will cause you ton's of problems......
Anyway just some FYI....been there done that....
Also when you get the time register on http://www.crossfire.webhop.net
to get more info on your CrossFire......I have 87k miles.....
Good Luck....
tony
:cheers: :cool: :cheers:
[Modified by oldace84, 5:23 PM 7/29/2003]
Now after all these years.....taking care of the vette....everything is right on.....
You should probably do the same thing......the rust will also eat at your rear plugs.....will cause you ton's of problems......
Anyway just some FYI....been there done that....
Also when you get the time register on http://www.crossfire.webhop.net
to get more info on your CrossFire......I have 87k miles.....
Good Luck....
tony
:cheers: :cool: :cheers:
[Modified by oldace84, 5:23 PM 7/29/2003]
