Radiator cleaning

[serious_adam15]

Hey all,

Need help. Got myself some 360mm radiators for my build that I was planning to paint white, but I can’t get them past the cleaning stage. They’re about 8 - 9 months old, been sitting dry for about 2 months. I’ve tried using deionised water (about 10 litres so far), tried using vinegar solution (only during the first few flushes), and also tried using coke! (For the phosphoric acid) and 30+ drains since and it is still not coming out clear, small little green bits and sometimes dark flakes of metal. Loosing hope here, should I bin them and get new ones, or will mayhem blitz save them?

 

[serious_adam15]

Build a simple loop with a in line filter in it.

It can depend on the quality of the radiator. I bought a second hand white nemesis black ice and with it being second hand I used the mayhems blitz kit and had no issues with it once installed. I don't think I'd use anything else now. So I suppose it depends how keen you are to keep the radiator. The blitz kit will last for a while and helps when clearing the system between fluid changes too.

Ive bought an inline filter, do you mean connect it outside the loop with the rads and pump and cycle it through to get the bits out? Would it help to use anything inside the loop besides the dionised water?

And Bossman, the rads are EK classic 360mm, used to have mayhem fluid in it that hasnt been washed for 2 months, just left to air out open so i dont know if that had any bad affect on it... and is the kit single use? Quite pricey for what it is to be honest, but Id get it if it works.

 

[serious_adam15]

I used to just stick mine in a bowl and connect to the outdoor hosepipe and leaving flushing for 10-15minutes. Then flush a few times with deionized water.

Usually gets rid of anything.

This is what I tried also, have an outdoor hosepipe connected under the sink and put a fitting onto a radiator, and did a flush. Left it for a good 10 mins and maybe only a few bits came out in the beginning, then just a steady stream of water. Tried rotating the rad multiple times, carefully shake it a bit, still nothing came out. Disconnected everything, did the deionized water flush, gave it a good shake, and loads of bits came out. So it seems the bits stay intact when the rad is under pressure but not when being shaken vigorously.

 

[serious_adam15]

Eheim 1250 pond pump hooked up to the radiator, both items in the bath. Leave for a few hours. Stop from time to time and shake radiator.

I have a 1250 because that's how long I've been water-cooling

Thats crazy! I've already bought an inline filter so I'm going to try the above suggestion by running a short loop. Not gonna order the mayhem kit for now until I lose hope with the loop not doing anything either. Really don't wanna waste these rads as they're about 70 quid new