pjm8047
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Whats the best way to clean calcium deposits from a radiator.i was thinking of bringing it to a radiator shop to get it cleaned but ive also heard clr might do the job but the radiator is brass. Any ideas?
cleaning calcium from radiator
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minnesota guy
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I have used muriatic acid found at Lowes, Menards, Home Depot, etc.
pjm8047
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is it safe for brass/copper radiators?
Bruzilla
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I've heard that CLR (Calcium, Lime & Rust) stuff works good on removing calcium buildups from pipes. I know it doesn;t do squat for rust though. 
wedge69
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CLR or the acid stated above work's fine.
idrivemopar
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muriatic acid will produce a lot of fumes when used on metal, nasty ones too(Hydrogen gas) depending on the concentration. It does react with brass and copper. If you have a good local radiator shop, you might want to take it to them and have it boiled and rodded if there is that much build up, plus a good time to have them pressure test to make sure there are no cracks or leaks.
vinegar works too
Bruzilla
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I know when I use muriatic acid on pipes in the house it smells like a sulphur mine for days.
cbunt1
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When I needed to clean mine out, I used Prestone's super flush with good results. Had it not worked, I was seriously considering the same stuff I use to clean firearm brass with excellent results.
I mix a couple of tsp . LemiShine and a few drops of Dawn dish soap in a 2l-sized ultrasonic cleaner (or just a bowl of water) for brass casings, and they come out bright, clean, and shiny. The Citric acid in the LemiShine will actually turn the rusty/oxidized (to the point of black) brass somewhere between pink and "brass-colored" again.
I can't see where this combination of chemicals would hurt anything in the radiator or engine, but I wouldn't want to leave it more than a half-hour or so...and I'm not sure about the soap in that context.
Of course, I was also thinking in terms of "this radiator is cashed in--if I can save it, great" which may not be your position...
If I were going to hit a cooling system with the lemi-shine, I'd probably put about a half-cup of lemi-shine in the mix. I'd also pre-mix it instead of pouring the powdered stuff into the radiator directly.
Just a thought. I agree with 69bee in that vinegar would work -- but in my experience with brass-cleaning, the vinegar should be neutralized and the citric acid doesn't need anything more than a flush/wash.
I mix a couple of tsp . LemiShine and a few drops of Dawn dish soap in a 2l-sized ultrasonic cleaner (or just a bowl of water) for brass casings, and they come out bright, clean, and shiny. The Citric acid in the LemiShine will actually turn the rusty/oxidized (to the point of black) brass somewhere between pink and "brass-colored" again.
I can't see where this combination of chemicals would hurt anything in the radiator or engine, but I wouldn't want to leave it more than a half-hour or so...and I'm not sure about the soap in that context.
Of course, I was also thinking in terms of "this radiator is cashed in--if I can save it, great" which may not be your position...
If I were going to hit a cooling system with the lemi-shine, I'd probably put about a half-cup of lemi-shine in the mix. I'd also pre-mix it instead of pouring the powdered stuff into the radiator directly.
Just a thought. I agree with 69bee in that vinegar would work -- but in my experience with brass-cleaning, the vinegar should be neutralized and the citric acid doesn't need anything more than a flush/wash.
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Be VERY, VERY CAREFUL with that muriatic acid! The best, and safest way is to plug the lower hose opening, and fill the rad with a solution with clr, or vinegar... and let it sit
idrivemopar
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Is the radiator out of the car? If not, be very careful, you don't want to splash it on anything.
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Phosphoric acid is the only acid to use after you clean radiator with Calgon or similar Home dish wash cleaner. THen use Phosphoric acid. Muriatic will destroy everything.
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Get a new radiator? Save yourself the gene altering process of cleaning it?
texas69bee
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Muriatic acid can work effectively if done right. Never add water to acid. You add acid to water. A 50/50 of acid and water is still considered strong. I have a salt water pool and its what is added to the water to lower the ph level. The 50/50 mix is what is used to clean the calcium off the salt cell. One good wiff of the acid and you will have problems breathing. To much acid will also eat through metal. If you haven't used it before, then don't!
minnesota guy
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It is ok to use Muriatic acid but the radiator needs to be outside the car. You need to pull it anyway to take radiator to the shop. Just do it outside and you won't have the fume issue to worry about.
barnfind
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A good radiator shop can rod it out or recommend core replacement. Muratic acid is nasty stuff!!! In the end if you choose to go the chemical route on your radiator. How are you sure all the chemicals are out just before you re-install it for use? JMO
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