Hello everyone
What is the method and specially the flushing chemical that works best for you to drain, flush/clean and refill a vehicle engine radiator for Texas heat or similar.
More info for interested parties:
This is for my '99 jeep cherokee (xj) 4.0, auto, 4wd.
I would like to replace the fluid and give it a good clean. Trying to keep good fluid for motor, hoses and water pump longevity.
The jeep is also overheating a bit when offroading slowly for a long time in the West Texas heat. Climbs from its usual 195F to 210F and even 225F. Electric fan clicks on at 225F as it should.
Doing a Gambler 500 in Big Bend next weekend for the 3rd year in a row.
Thermostat seems to be stuck open which is fine, I think I drilled a couple small holes on it last time to avoid hot spots. Fan clutch has been changed to towing package.
I see coolant flush mixes you add to clean distilled water and let sit for a while on hot engine.
Any one recommends one of them?
Have also heard of using vinegar to flush with. Like the idea.
Would like a flush that is not harsh on anything else like waterpump , hoses etc. I've replaced them but it's been close to ten years. Will get new hoses at the time.
What coolant and proportion of it to distilled water do you recomend for a lot of heat removal and longevity. It doesn't freeze hard here until February and could replace it by then.
Thank you
FWIW, last time I had a radiator flushed, I had my mechanic do it. He has a machine, and I didn't have to deal with a mess.
I just spray the garden hose into a port until the other one comes out clear. Switch directions a few times. In fact I coincidentally just did that to a Jeep 4.0L radiator today! Freshly pulled from the junkyard.
rather than type it out. here is a clear easy video on the process I normally follow.
https://youtu.be/s--5ft5YiHg
It's kinda hard to beat the commercially-available flush products like Prestone and Gunk.
I drain everything I can, fill with water and flush, drive it for a day or two, repeat until it comes out clean, then (important) fill with just water and repeat the process of a couple fill/drain cycles to make sure you've diluted the flush product enough. Then refill with your coolant mix.
Or (as I often do) a new radiator is probably $100 and it's a slam dunk. You can go through the multi-hour (or multi-day) process of flushing which may or may not work, and may or may not eat some crusties away that were preventing a leak... or just take an hour and exchange $ for a new radiator.
Thank you for the answers.
I've thought about just changing the radiator, any recommendation of a brand from the oreilly, autozone , napa or similar options?
A couple of decades ago I had an XJ 4.0 that would run hot when towing. I don't know how valid this actually is, but the internet wisdom at the time was that the thermostat housing/water neck was a flow restriction in the system. I bought a ported stock housing, and I believe it made a difference. A quick search shows that there are now aftermarket housings being offered, so my recollection might be accurate. Cheap and easy modification.
Premium options would include Griffin, BeCool, Meziere, or Proform. Budget options are all over the place.
CSF has a radiator in the $90 range for your Cherokee. Right now Summit has a Crown Automotive brand for your truck for $25
Rock Auto has a couple dozen to choose from between $90-200
In reply to Curtis73 (Forum Supporter) :
$25 may be worth it, as long as it doesn't burst.
I drive 40 hrs in a Gambler 500 weekend to West Texas so it would get pushed.
Thank you
