Flush a radiator out of a truck?

[HotRodScottsdale]

So I got a used radiator out of a parts truck that I got for cheap. The truck had a blown head gasket and the guy used fix a leak in the radiator to fix it, he said it worked for a year and seemed to be running fine when I got the parts truck. 3 years later now I pulled the radiator from storage and wanted to use it but it's still gummed up with that fix a leak crap. How can I flush it without getting that in my motor. Tried a hose and got nothing.

[mongocanfly]

Unless your wanting a oe radiator,I'd just go get a new one...I think I give little over 100 for mine at oreillys...

[HotRodScottsdale]

I'm in Canada and its 240 with my discount at lordco. I have the cash to do it but have never flushed a radiator before and looking for experience. If I'm SOL on cleaning this one I will buy new but the radiator does not look too old and is not OEM

[mongocanfly]

That's unreal.....I've never had any real luck flushing radiators....a local shop here will dissemble, rod it out, pressure check and all....but a new one is cheaper...here...

[Dead Parrot]

Any stop leak still in the radiator likely activated when the radiator was drained and left open to the air.

If you know the brand of stop leak stuff, contact them and see if there is a removal solvent you can use.

Might try some Lime-a-way type stuff in hopes that much of the blockage is normal water crud buildup.

[Redneck Rydes]

Maybe you can fill it up with CLR, I have used it on heater cores,fill it up let it sit for a while and then flush out,and repeat.

[HotRodScottsdale]

Yeah I got no clue on the type of no leak he used and it's been sitting dry for 3 years. I was hoping a few jugs of clr and a small electric pump hooked to the hoses to swish it around and a good rinse.

[cadillac_al]

If it's rubbery stuff I don't think anything will work on it.

[v30crewcab]

lay it flat, and fill it up with rad cleaner. hot water works better. worth a try.

[Pontiac1976]

If you take it to a rad shop and have them pressure flush it. it will come out like new in side.

If you try a home you can heat the water add the flush fluid let sit as directions say. Use a short hose to modified to fit the hose side flush. may have to do this a few time.
If it been plugged and has dry out for a long time I would take it to a shop.

[tucsonjwt]

My vote is for a new radiator. As was mentioned, a new aluminum/plastic radiator(Spectra) is around $100 (look for a 20% off sale at AutoZone or O'Reilly's and free shipping to your home.) The one I got works better than the OEM style copper/brass radiator. Fixing an old radiator is not worth the hassle.

If the old radiator you have is copper/brass it should be worth about $35 or more at your local scrapyard, if you separate the steel mounting parts, the copper fins, and the brass tanks first.

[franken]

A radiator shop will tell you. Or ask google...
https://www.google.com/search?q=flus...hrome&ie=UTF-8