Now that the radiator is out...

[tr6web]

For my TR6, I have the radiator, water pump and housing, and return pipe out. Should I "backflush" the engine? I've never done that before so you think I need to, how do I do that?

 

[SpannerMan]

Not sure about flushing the rest of it, but you might want to have a radiator shop pressure-flush the radiator while it is out. Pete

 

[Andrew Mace]

Go for that "backflush" while the rest is off; it'll be worth it. Make sure to open the block drain, and probe around in that drain hole as necessary until water truly gushes out...and then keep at it just to be sure. An amazing amount of silt can build up there!

 

[tr6web]

Thanks for the advice. Any tips on what to use for the backflush?

 

[Tomster]

DO NOT USE the flushing solution from the automotive section of your local store! These all contain components that eat the bad stuff but also can create pin holes in the weak (Usually found under the dash, you know?!)areas. Flush in reverse to the normal flow with water 10 min's. My best advice:hile you have it out get the rad re-cored for $100.00 at a repuatable rad shop

 

[tr6web]

Ok. Now I need some specifics. Can I use a garden hose to reverse flush it. Since the rad is out, where do I start with the hose? I see that the engine must be running? I don't want to screw anything up, so specifics would be great. Thanks.

 

[jsneddon]

if you have the water pump off I don't see much of a point of doing it with it running. Someone else may disagree.

I flushed mine by sticking a hose in the water pump inlet and since I had the thermo housing off I just covered it with my hand and flushed it for a while with the block drain removed. I also had one of those high pressure outlets for my hose (looks like a miniature version of an old brass firehose nozzle) and I stuck it in the block drain hose and ran it that way for a while (with the inlet and thermo housing removed and I alternated covering one or the other openings).

Before I did that I had to do quite a bit of chipping with baling wire in the block drain before anything would come out at all. Now that everything runs clean and free in either direction I haven't had any more problems with overheating.

I also followed Bob Shaller's advice from "More BS About TR's" (I think that's where I read it) and once I had it all together I took it for a run with just water and a box of baking soda in the radiator. Flushed it twice more after that and I believe that it is pretty dang clean in there now.

It's not that big of a deal really. Just run water in every direction you can think of until you think it is really clear and then do it again just to be sure.

 

[tr6web]

That's a perfect description. Thanks.