Removing rust stains from radiator-SOLVED!
 

Yesterday I took my A out for a long drive; at about 30 miles my radiator started spitting out thick brown gunk from the filler spout. (I know what the problem was and I've dealt with that.) I was in a rural area with no running water to flush it out, so I wiped it out and washed it as best I could with some bottled water I had. By the time I got home, after a couple similar incidents, my radiator was well stained by the rusty residue. I scrubbed with a toothbrush and hot soapy water, but only to minimum effect. Can anyone suggest a good method for cleaning this junk off my radiator and getting a good black back? The radiator was just reworked and repainted at a radiator shop, and it was looking good till yesterday.:(

Re: Removing rust stains from radiator
 

Brown gunk:eek:? Could we have a leaky head gasket and that's oil in the water?? Better clean it off as best as you can and respray the radiator .:(

Re: Removing rust stains from radiator
 

No, it's rust. I thought oil at first, too, but it's not oily. Engine was rebuilt but sat for ten years or more before I bought it. I should have flushed it before I ran it too far.

Re: Removing rust stains from radiator
 

Try CLR cleaner. It removes light rust. Pick it up at Walmart. You may have to repaint your radiator.

Re: Removing rust stains from radiator
 

IT WORKED! CLR was the answer! Thanks for the tip, Gary.

Re: Removing rust stains from radiator-SOLVED!
 

Also you need to run Gunk Water Pump Lubricant all the time. It will keep the block from rusting as it is water soluble oil.

Re: Removing rust stains from radiator
 

Glad I could help ! I'm going to look for that Gunk water pump lubricant that James is talking about.

Re: Removing rust stains from radiator-SOLVED!
 

"Like solvents remove like substances". Powdered black iron, ie, rust needs acid, which is what CLR is. And what you found out. Great stuff this CLR is.

skip.

Re: Removing rust stains from radiator-SOLVED!
 

Gary, that looks like a SERIOUS banjo in your picture. Do you play? I think Brent (from TN) also plays banjo; maybe you guys should get together!

Re: Removing rust stains from radiator-SOLVED!
 

Yeah, been playing for about 25 yrs now...its a lot of fun. My new hobby is of course the 1930 model A that i got a few months ago.