A new twist on cleaning cooling systems ???
 

This is just nuts sounding enough that I've got to ask the question.

I was at American Service Center (MB dealer in D.C.). They are the largest (claimed) MB retail parts outfit in North America. I asked for the alkaline cleanser and citric acid (by MB part number) and without batting an eye, the gent behind the counter said, "we don't stock those anymore and I don't think MB is supplying it anymore. Our mechanics use 'SHOUT' to degrease and decalcify".

As far as whether or not MB is supplying the stuff anymore is up for some mild debate, but the salient question is, have any of you seasoned mechanics heard of using a laundry spot cleaner, SHOUT, to deoil and decalcify?

I've not yet called the shop foreman, but I aim to sometime next week. I want to know what the mix is. It's just interesting enough that the deoil part could make sense, but the decalcify doesn't as I don't think there is enough citric acid in the product to make a dent.

We use shout here in our house per it's labeled intent. If memory serves it doesn't suds. Hmmmmmmmmmm????!!!

"No Dear, I don't know why all of your SHOUT is gone, but your car is squeaky clean!":D

I have never heard of using SHOUT to clean water jackets, just vinyl or cloth jackets :D.

Seriously, that is new to me. For one thing, Shout is kinda expensive in the bottle form it comes in, so considering how many ounces one needs to do a system flush...well, why not use vinegar instead?

Yeah, that sounds ridiculous, but so does SHOUT. Considering what that stuff can do to your paint, I certainly wouldn't run it through those exposed alloy surfaces!!!

Don't know about SHOUT, but at the Ritter-Easley List, more than one poster has suggested and used liquid TIDE detergent to degrease. I have never used a degreaser as I've not blown a head gasket on my MB. Personally, I see no reason to degrease the internals of an engine if water and oil have not mixed.

The powered citric acid can be purchased at a pharmacy.