Bilge cleaner instead of citric acid for flushing cooling?
 

Hello!

I stopped at a Benz dealer today while my mom was at another dealer (negotiating the purchase of an '00 Honda Civic :mad: ) and asked about the citric acid stuff that M-B sells to flush the cooling system with. At first, the parts counter guy didn't know what I was talking about, then he went back and asked a tech about it and the tech told him to tell me to go to West Marine to get some Bilge Cleaner, because the bilge cleaner stuff does a better job.

Has anyone else heard this? Any comments? Thanks in advance!

Also, any suggestions on the best place to get hoses from? I know that i need to replace my upper radiator hose (I can feel crackling whenever I squeeze it), and I plan to replace the lower hose as well for good measure.

Again, thanks! :)

Warden, I don't know what is in "Bilge" cleaner and I asnwell as you wouldn't take a chance ruining my heater core, radiator or everything at once. Alot of radiator cleaners to me are a last resort for a very neglected cooling system. I have personally seen water pumps start leaking AFTER using caustic cleaners.
I bought some straight Citric Acid from a industrial chemical supply in Los Angles. I used the prescribed amount in my wifes '84 and it did a good job with NO after affects. IMHO, I would go with the citric acid. I'll PM you with the address of where I bought it from.