Coolant system clean?

[TheJim]

Well, I'm on the home run now chaps-
Just wondering what the best way to clean the oil and emulsion out of the cooling system is after a head gasket failure? I don't want it floating around and buggering up the water pump etc.
I have drained the sytem completely and backflushed the rad so far.

Would gunk be safe to use on the cooling system? Obviously normal detergent is a no go as it is full of salt. I am at a bit of a loss.

Any tips gratefully received!

 

[television]

Well, I'm on the home run now chaps-
Just wondering what the best way to clean the oil and emulsion out of the cooling system is after a head gasket failure? I don't want it floating around and buggering up the water pump etc.
I have drained the sytem completely and backflushed the rad so far.

Would gunk be safe to use on the cooling system? Obviously normal detergent is a no go as it is full of salt. I am at a bit of a loss.

Any tips gratefully received!

Gunk is water soluble, good idea, don't run it more than you need, it could have a foaming action. Half a small tin ?

Malcolm

 

[TheJim]

I don't think it foams. I can't think of any reason not to use it....

 

[kth286]

TheJim

To clean the cooling system use Mercedes alkaline cooling system cleaner part number 001 986 21 71 (number may have changed).

3% solution and run engine for 10 mins before flushing out with clean water.

Heater must be on and running to clear oil from heater core.

When refilling the cooling system do not use tap water as it is usually too hard. Buy water from Halfords in 5 litre containers (I think) very cheap.

Regards

 

[TheJim]

Aha! So there is a specific stuff, jolly good. I already have the deionised water ready- and the proper merc coolant. I wish I'd known earlier about this stuff, I was at the stealership the other day..........

Ta!

 

[TheJim]

Just called a dealership near my work, they had never heard of the stuff! But the part no is correct and it is now on order. Cheers mate!

 

[television]

Just called a dealership near my work, they had never heard of the stuff! But the part no is correct and it is now on order. Cheers mate!

Nice thing about this site,one can allways learn something new

Malcolm

 

[TheJim]

Got the stuff, shall clean the cooling system tomorrow. The MOT is at 4:30 pm so I had better get cracking!

 

[TheJim]

Thanks David, that stuff is awesome! So much stuff came out.

The car sailed through its MOT. I am back on the road! Yay!

 

[LNM]

TheJim

How much was it ?

 

[TheJim]

Er, I think it was eight or nine pounds from memory.

 

[amanda]

Only £8 or £9...

Did that include the Head gasket work...?!;-)
I have to top up the coolant every other day by about 2" after driving in traffic. Re-con radiator fitted end of December, 1800 miles done since with no problem on the 2X10 hour long journeys, but the car does get hot in traffic (between 80 and 100). Raysons (the radiator place) have tested for leaks and say there are none, but say there are signs of oil on the expansion tank cap, and it did look a bit oily. There are no signs of 'mayonaise' and no problems with the car (other than the constant drop in coolant level) but they said it might be the head gasket and to get it checked out.
Lovely car lots and lots and lots of money spent on it won't get rid of it never ever BUT can't afford head gasket to go. Perhaps all these senior members out there could please offer other suggestions as to what the problem might be (even if you have to invent something...)

W124 230TE 1987,175000 miles and runs very smoothly (although averaging 22-25mpg).

 

[LNM]

You can get a head gasket done (permanently and properly) around the 600 quid mark. Plenty of threads in here about it.

 

[amanda]

head gasket check

Thanks - I think I've looked at just about all the threads I could find in here. It was suggested to me by a family member who was a mechanic that I put coolant sealer in rather than shell out for the cost of a head gasket however I can't find ANY threads that recommend that course of action so I am taking it to the garage for a check and if it is the head gasket they have said it will be around £600 (which is exactly what I had thought). Whether its done properly remains to be seen - being a female owner I tend to get the kind of reaction they show on that advert with the guy who says 'must have been driven by a boy racer...)They'll probably find lots of other expensive things wrong with it.