Best way to flush calcium buildup out of your cooling system?

[AtariMasta]

Hey-

I just recently purchased an E30 as a project, its been running hot, recently had a new waterpump and t-stat put in it.. however after checking those and make sure I had a good fan clutch, ive determined that it's likely the radiator is clogged. Seems that the upperhose gets really hot and pressurized while the lower outlet hose stays really cool and unpressured.. IE: clog.

In the past with my VWs, Ive flushed systems by running water with about half a bottle of CLR through the cooling system. Then flushed that out with straight water, then put in a good new 50/50 mix. Anyone got any good suggestions here on what would work? I am mainly concerned about the radiator so, radiator specific advice would be good too... Thanks!

-Luke

[Grimm862]

What you did with the Vws seems like it would work fine with the bimmer. Just dump some clr in there and clean her out and fill it up.

[browntown]

dont know about where you live, but I have a radiator shop in town that is mighty reasonable and is able to tank them and make them mighty free flowing for reasonable money.

[NC325iC]

is clr safe on alum? will it eat out any gasketry?

[AtariMasta]

i understand that CLR is aluminum safe but could damage copper sensors if exposed to pure CLR. Typically, I run like half a bottle of CLR and the rest water.. so its considerably thinned out.. most likely this time, im just gonna run CLR through the radiator and not the entire system. As for a good radiator shop, im gonna do some homework in my area, see what I can dig up.


-Luke

[euro3]

bleeding cooling system

After the new water pump and t-stat did you bleed the cooling system?

[AtariMasta]

I attempted to bleed the system, but it still seemed like the lower outlet hose was clogged. Like i said, it was cold and felt asif it didnt have any pressure to it.

-Luke

[ecorrea21]

Permatex has a great radiator cleaner(Pt.# 80030) I highly recommend this product, but be careful to follow instructions I think this stuff is a acid of some kind. It comes in a quart sized bottle. Might be hard to find but insist on it, IT WORKS!!!