The Ford Barn

700rpm · 08-23-2010, 11:44 AM

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.

peters180a/170b · 08-23-2010, 11:49 AM

Brown gunk

? 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 .

700rpm · 08-23-2010, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peters180a/170b

Brown gunk

? 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 .

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.

Gary Gregory · 08-23-2010, 02:55 PM

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

700rpm · 08-23-2010, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary Gregory

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

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

James Rogers · 08-23-2010, 05:41 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

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.

Gary Gregory · 08-23-2010, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 700rpm

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

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

skip · 08-23-2010, 09:41 PM

"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.

700rpm · 08-27-2010, 10:06 PM

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!

Gary Gregory · 08-27-2010, 10:41 PM

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.

08-23-2010, 11:44 AM	#1
700rpm Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 5,906	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. Last edited by 700rpm; 08-23-2010 at 04:52 PM.

08-23-2010, 11:49 AM	#2
peters180a/170b Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Putnam Valley N.Y. Posts: 2,151	Re: Removing rust stains from radiator Brown gunk? 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 .

08-23-2010, 02:55 PM	#4
Gary Gregory Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Maryville,Tn Posts: 302	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.

08-23-2010, 05:41 PM	#6
James Rogers Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Asheville,NC Posts: 3,104	Re: Removing rust stains from radiator-SOLVED! Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) 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.

08-23-2010, 09:41 PM	#8
skip Banned Join Date: May 2010 Location: Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin Posts: 408	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.

08-27-2010, 10:06 PM	#9
700rpm Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 5,906	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!

08-27-2010, 10:41 PM	#10
Gary Gregory Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Maryville,Tn Posts: 302	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.