Search results

Many thanks..soldering radiators is more art than technique. Clean metal and tight joints is the technique, heat application is the art.

I've been repairing radiators as needed, it isn't easy to perfect the skills. First is desoldering tank to tubesheet and these are huge tanks. Too much heat damages the core, I've yet to find a source for new cores. An ash vacuum works well but not OSHA approved, lead dust caution here...

Blue Devil radiator flush is trisodium citrate, it only works when hot and flowing. Using just citric acid will cause significant metal loss. It takes time, I left the Blue Devil flush in the system for a week of driving. And still had sediment after 2 flushes so I installed a coolant filter...

I use citric acid to passivate stainless steel, it won't dissolve chromium unlike nitric acid. After using Blue Devil, I've had heater core and radiator leaks, all in the solder joints. Typical age issue. Oddly enough, the radiator fixed itself as no more leaks but it will get a proper...

Blue Devil cooling system flush is trisodium citrate. The sodium buffers the citric acid so it doesn't attack copper or brass but still solvates metal oxides like solder bloom, rust and corrosion. I used it a few years ago, the stainless steel thermostat became heavily covered in gray metallic...

Glycol brake fluid should not be reused as it absorbs water. Don't pitch it, use it again to remove paint from hardware or other small items. Much slower than aircraft stripper but a bit nicer to your health. Zip lock bags make excellent containers for parts being stripped. Wrap them in...

The one benefit of DOT5 is long life. You discovered the only weakness, price. Because it isn't widely used outside of military, the supply chain makes it expensive. Parts from local sources is a gamble for certain. I had to spend 15 minutes with an angle grinder on a wheel cylinder...