Cascade dishwasher detergent to clean out radiator?

[ytd1861]

I got up today and decided to check online reviews for radiator cleaning chemicals made by Prestone, Gunk, etc. before buying some to clean my radiator, which looks scaly even though I've had it back-flushed and new coolant installed.

During my search I kept coming across posts saying Cascade dishwasing detergent in the powder or liquid gel, is GREAT for cleaning radiators. Apparently the big truck maker Freightliner even has a part number for it because they use it to clean their big radiators.

I thought "WHAT?"....but then I read on. Cascade does not foam up, its safe for plastics and aluminum, it works superbly with hot water, and it rinses clean without residue. That math adds up, so I am seriously considering trying it tomorrow in my car. Most people seem to like the gel as its a little less mess pouring in the radiator compared to the powder.

I am going to try it, but I am going to remove my thermostat before hand. Seems like it would let the solution flow better and perhaps clean better.

Any opinions before I try this? I've not found one bad report on this anywhere online. Imports, Ford trucks, on and on swear it cleans better than any other process, or chemical solution other than rodding out a rad, or installing a new one.

[BonnieBoy08]

I'm interested to see how it goes. I don't see how it would hurt anything, your radiator should be about as durable as a kitchen plate I would think lol (hopefully more)

[sandrock]

My old neighbor (and I mean old as in age, back when cars were born and not built) told me a trick to cleaning out coolant systems.

Lemonaide Kool-Ade packets.

Yup, the slight acidity breaks the scale down, won't harm the environment, and is cheap. Also, if the radiator is REALLY kruddy, try using some CLR.

[redzmonte]

Have you tried Lemon Pledge? JK. sounds like a plausable option... sounds like a Mythbusters kinda stuff..

[sandrock]

Have you tried Lemon Pledge?

"Ahhhhhh....no. No. No Lemon Pledge. You buy."

[ytd1861]

After more online research, it seems Cascade is great for getting oily mess out of a radiator/ cooling system but not good on scale anymore. The chemical that use to work on scale as well, was Phosphate which they no longer put in Cascade.

Guess I'm stuck with the Prestone Super Flush, which doesn't sound like it works all that well. Might as well try that.

Vinegar sounds like it would work well, but you have to do another flush with baking soda to neutralize the acid form the vinegar.

Why can't something be affordable, work well, be a 1 step process, and be easy / fast.?

[david]

Then they wouldnt be able to make any money.

[Arrowhead]

To avoid any further scaling/ deposits, I'd recommend using distilled water in your 50/50 coolant solution. The limestone and other minerals in country, and even some city water aren't too good in a radiator long term. I just found out about some Lucas additive that sounds interesting and might be better than Prestone's stuff.


http://www.lucasoil.com/products/displa ... 9&loc=show

[ytd1861]

I am going to go ahead and buy a new one. I looked at it yesterday after getting some coolant out and it was worse than I thought. The scale is quite bad. Once the new one is in, it will get distilled water for sure and the Havoline / Dexcool 50-50 mix.