Mucky coolant reservoir clean

Ringmaster · 17-06-20, 08:37 PM

Folks,

I have a spare coolant reservoir for my C3 that I was given 15 years ago.
I decided to retrieve it from the loft and clean it up. It is worse than I remembered.

It was full of what looked like rust, much of which came out in lumps. I am now left with a thin layer of this stuff lining the inside of the reservoir. It comes off easily enough where I can reach in but what can I do about the rest of reservoir?

I filled it up with white spirit and left it to soak, but it hasn't had any effect. Can anyone recommend something? Radflush?

mikes2 · 17-06-20, 09:03 PM

Used to be an old trick of denture cleaning tablets.

Block the drain and leave it to soak overnight with a couple of tabs. May need some agitation to get the worst stains off.

tractor Dave · 17-06-20, 09:04 PM

Try a dishwasher tablet inside it, seal up the bottom holes and fill it with hot water from the kettle. Put the lid on and shake it all about. Leave overnite and hopefully most of the crud will have been removed. Flush with very hot water.

Or Mike's suggestion sounds good to try.

moonwatcher · 18-06-20, 09:01 AM

Uncooked rice, just a spoon full and cold water, give it a good shakeout's like shot blasting from the inside

Ringmaster · 18-06-20, 12:17 PM

Thanks chaps, will try each suggestion as necessary.
May even try the uncooked rice on my colon!

larry49 · 19-06-20, 09:58 AM

The dishwasher tabs do work and it is better to add something...I used fine alpine gravel and shake it about.

Ringmaster · 05-07-20, 06:44 PM

Folks,

I tried all the above and the dish washer tablets especially were quite effective.

There just remains one chamber in the reservoir with rust lining its surface. There is a small opening at the base of the chamber wall, but its very difficult to get any sort of brush through it and then upwards in order to have a good scrub around.

Any ideas on how to get that remaining crud off appreciated?

tractor Dave · 05-07-20, 07:56 PM

Has it got a metal sleeve on the pipe connector?
If not you can mix up some potion!
Boiling water 1/2 cup
Two table spoons of baking soda
Four table spoons of lemon juice
Pour it in and leave it overnight at least.
It will froth up when you add the lemon. :

Sandro · 05-07-20, 09:22 PM

What about the bleach?

Ringmaster · 05-07-20, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tractor Dave

Has it got a metal sleeve on the pipe connector?

Sounds delicious, but there be a metal sleeve, unfortunately.

I think I will have to seek out a very flexible bottle brush of sorts..

Thanks chaps....

17-06-20, 09:03 PM	#2
mikes2 4 ring whore! Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Polmont Posts: 2,617	Used to be an old trick of denture cleaning tablets. Block the drain and leave it to soak overnight with a couple of tabs. May need some agitation to get the worst stains off. __________________ 1991 90 quattro 20v sport 1991 90 quattro

18-06-20, 09:01 AM	#4
moonwatcher 4 ring whore! Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Barrow in Furness, Cumbria Posts: 2,049	Uncooked rice, just a spoon full and cold water, give it a good shakeout's like shot blasting from the inside __________________ Coupe Quattro 1985

19-06-20, 09:58 AM	#6
larry49 Grown up member Join Date: Feb 2018 Posts: 44	The dishwasher tabs do work and it is better to add something...I used fine alpine gravel and shake it about. Last edited by larry49; 19-06-20 at 10:00 AM.

17-06-20, 09:04 PM	#3
tractor Dave Senior Member Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Wales Posts: 1,157	Try a dishwasher tablet inside it, seal up the bottom holes and fill it with hot water from the kettle. Put the lid on and shake it all about. Leave overnite and hopefully most of the crud will have been removed. Flush with very hot water. Or Mike's suggestion sounds good to try.

18-06-20, 12:17 PM	#5
Ringmaster Senior Member Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 1,326	Thanks chaps, will try each suggestion as necessary. May even try the uncooked rice on my colon!

05-07-20, 06:44 PM	#7
Ringmaster Senior Member Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 1,326	Folks, I tried all the above and the dish washer tablets especially were quite effective. There just remains one chamber in the reservoir with rust lining its surface. There is a small opening at the base of the chamber wall, but its very difficult to get any sort of brush through it and then upwards in order to have a good scrub around. Any ideas on how to get that remaining crud off appreciated?

05-07-20, 07:56 PM	#8
tractor Dave Senior Member Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Wales Posts: 1,157	Has it got a metal sleeve on the pipe connector? If not you can mix up some potion! Boiling water 1/2 cup Two table spoons of baking soda Four table spoons of lemon juice Pour it in and leave it overnight at least. It will froth up when you add the lemon. :

05-07-20, 09:22 PM	#9
Sandro Grown up member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Chelmsford Posts: 651	What about the bleach?