hello everyone,

I am going to replace my radiator soon, and I wanted to clean the system before i replace the rad because if I do it after the new rad is installed im worried that any debris may break loose and plug my new radiator. My question is, can I use a mixture of CLR and water in my cooling system to clean it out. I already flushed it free of all coolant and I am wondering if I can put CLR in the engine and drive it around for a day then drain it and flush it with clean water. Only reason Im asking is that it says do not use on copper, aluminum or brass.

Anyone have any info on this?

Andy

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1983 300DT 284k miles. :-) "The Benzo"
1998 Mustang GT Custom 4.9 L engine.
1997 Dodge ram Pickup 5.9L

i personally wouldnt. have you seen what this stuff does to certain metals? like bathroom fixtures, kitchen appliances and such? it actually etches some of them like acid. thats enough to scare me away, but thats just my opinion.

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1980 300D

Isn't CLR a weaker solution of phosphoric acid?

I agree, an acid like that might do more damage than debris breaking loose ever thought of doing.

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Sam

84 300SD 350K+ miles ( Blue Belle )

i would just get some prestone engine flush... that CLR will prob do more harm than good

Only if you are trying to make a paperweight out of the engine.

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01 Ford Excursion Powerstroke
99 E300 Turbodiesel
91 Vette with 383 motor
05 Polaris Sportsman 800 EFI
06 Polaris Sportsman 500 EFI
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Red
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Yellow
04 Tailgator 21 ft Toy Hauler
11 Harley Davidson 883 SuperLow

Mercedes recommends using Citric acid crystals. I bought some a few years ago and used it in both the 300D we had and my small Kubota diesel tractor. It works very well and DOESN'T take out the water pumps like Prestone can.

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My Truck.. 2007 DODGE, 5.9 Cummins, 6spd stick, 4X4. My car..1977 240D, OTHER WHEELS...1955 VW Oval window bug, European Delivery (Holland) with a 1700cc, 2 barrel, Porsche drum brakes. 1939 WILLYS Pick-up. 1967 Triumph 200cc Tiger Cub. 1976 Honda 550F 4cyl Motor Cycle.

what will it do to the engine aklim? Also, I ended up using a combo of prestone super clean and super flush, Ill get some citric acid soon tho. Im really curious as to what the CLR would have done to the engine but not curious enough to put it in lol.

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1983 300DT 284k miles. :-) "The Benzo"
1998 Mustang GT Custom 4.9 L engine.
1997 Dodge ram Pickup 5.9L

I have seen CLR work before. It is very much faster than the radiator flushes. IF you get it dilute enough, you MIGHT be OK. But why not use the citric acid and KNOW it is OK rather than make a guess and possibly turn the engine into a large paperweight? I am not sure that the pump and the radiator will be fine, just as a guess if you pass CLR thru it.

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01 Ford Excursion Powerstroke
99 E300 Turbodiesel
91 Vette with 383 motor
05 Polaris Sportsman 800 EFI
06 Polaris Sportsman 500 EFI
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Red
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Yellow
04 Tailgator 21 ft Toy Hauler
11 Harley Davidson 883 SuperLow

In my experience over the years, I have seen best results for cooling system flushing to be with clean water. Flush as much as possible with water until it is coming out clear. Do this every two years, regardless of mileage and then fill with 50/50 regular anti-freeze and distilled water.

Good luck,

LarryBible,
Why use distilled water vs regular water? I know distilled water is good to drink when fasting but never heard of putting in car. I am sure there's a good reason. Just curious?
Thanks, WNCMAN

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1976 300D 99K ORIGINAL MILES BLACK/BLACK
1983 240d 226K MILES BLUE/BLUE
1984 300CD 272K MILES WHITE/BLUE
LOOKING FOR MORE!!

Very simple. What is distilled water? About as pure water as you can get without going overboard. What is tap water? Water with all sorts of minerals dissolved in it. Don't believe it? Take water that hasn't been softened for a more dramatic effect. Let it sit in a dish and dry out. You will see all sorts of white crud in it. Better yet, ask yourself this. Why do you have to clean a coffee maker with solvents? I mean, you are pouring clean water in, right? What is sitting on the heating coils?

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01 Ford Excursion Powerstroke
99 E300 Turbodiesel
91 Vette with 383 motor
05 Polaris Sportsman 800 EFI
06 Polaris Sportsman 500 EFI
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Red
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Yellow
04 Tailgator 21 ft Toy Hauler
11 Harley Davidson 883 SuperLow

Distilled water has no calcium or other minerals to clog up the cooling system

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81 Mercedes 300SD 289k.......SOLD
82 Mercedes 300CD 252k......slow ride

82 mercedes 300 SD...mi Unknown
83 Mercedes 300D ????ksniff..gone too
84 Mercedes 300D 148k........SOLD
85 Mercedes 300TD 386k and holding some one elses project