Coolant system test/clean

[LotusMonkey]

Having stood for 15 years, I've been taking a lot of parts off the Excel, but finally things are going back on, including a recon radiator and hoses. I don't want to take the water pump off just yet, so am wondering what your thoughts are on putting water through the cooling system a few times to establish a) whether the pump and thermostat are working/waterrtight, and b) clear out some of the gunk that will surely have accumulated internally? (I know I can get a cleaning additive once I know everything is working)

I will use waterless coolant eventually, but for now it's about fault finding and starting a cleaning process, rather than wasting time and money on coolant only to have to lose it if I do need to take the pump off.

I'm probably overthinking but thoughts welcome!

Duncs

[TAR]

I'd use deionised water for the cleaning process, that way you won't be adding any further impurities into the system.

[Pete Boole]

Make sure you don't use your new radiator if you're going to flush it - it will end up with the accumulated gunk inside it! I've used flushing additives to clean out systems in the past and it's amazing how much crap comes out! I've always used the type that requires the engine to be run up to temperature.

Personally - after 15 years - I'd just rebuild the water pump as part of the process - you need to check behind the impellor for corrosion.

Pete

[LotusMonkey]

Make sure you don't use your new radiator if you're going to flush it - it will end up with the accumulated gunk inside it! I've used flushing additives to clean out systems in the past and it's amazing how much crap comes out! I've always used the type that requires the engine to be run up to temperature.

Personally - after 15 years - I'd just rebuild the water pump as part of the process - you need to check behind the impellor for corrosion.

Pete

Thanks Pete - the old radiator was so shot I had no choice but to replace it first. I just just need to take it off once some flushing done to try and remove anything in the new rad that accumulates.

[Pete Boole]

It's a shame you're not closer - you could have borrowed my rad - I won't be using it for my Elite build.

Pete