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Cylinder Block Waterways Rust Remover

Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2019 6:21 pm
by MarinaCoupe
I’m hoping that someone can advise please, I’m trying to clear out the waterways in a Triumph 2000 iron block, it’s still in the car and the head is off for a decoke. The waterways in the back of the block are pretty much solid with rusty crud. I removed the block drain plug and it’s solid crud inside.

Someone suggested pouring in phosphoric acid and someone else suggested central heating cleaner. Does anyone have any experience of either of these, or has had success with something else?

All advice appreciated.

Re: Cylinder Block Waterways Rust Remover

Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2019 12:43 pm
by Zelandeth
Phosphoric acid seems to be a common component to turn up in various rust remover products. There seem to be quite a few cooling system cleaning/flushing products on the market these days too. Forte stuff is usually good, though you'll probably need to get it from eBay etc as a lot of their line seems to be trade only.

We're it my car I'd probably remove as much of the gunk as possible by mechanical means (tedious I know) then refilling the system with one of the proprietary cleaning solutions and plan on doing several drain and flush cycles in pretty quick succession. You're never going to get 100% of it out, but that should get things back to a manageable level.

Dissolving a dishwasher tablet in the water is one I've heard a few people have good results with, though I've never tried it myself.

Re: Cylinder Block Waterways Rust Remover

Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2019 9:48 am
by gazza82
I've heard Brick Cleaner has worked for some A-Series engined owners (mild hydrochloric). You will probably have to get engine out and strip it .. not sure what the acids will do to some of the metals used to close up casting holes, etc (core plugs, brass plugs, etc)

Re: Cylinder Block Waterways Rust Remover

Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2019 5:43 pm
by Zelandeth
Forgot to mention it in my previous post - the other substance which is worth keeping in mind is cheap cola. The acids in the flavouring help shift rust directly, and the carbonation in the fluid helps agitate things.

While originally skeptical, I have successfully unseized a couple of bike parts in the past by soaking them in coke for a week, after all conventional penetrating oils etc had failed...so it does seem to work!

The fact that compared to the other products being mentioned it's so cheap means that it's probably worth a shot at an early stage anyway and seeing if it helps shift anything...At the worst you're going to be out only a couple of quid.

Re: Cylinder Block Waterways Rust Remover

Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2019 11:25 am
by gazza82
I can concur there!

5 litre of Lidl's "finest" cola cleaned up a car club member's rad .. cheap to buy. Plugged the hose connectors and overflow, filled it and occasionally turned it over for a few days .. then repeats the exercise after flushing the rad from the bottom hose outlet. He was amazed at the amount of crud he collected. And unlike some acids it didn't affect the solder ...

He also stopped drinking Cola after that!! ... :lol: