Non-Porsche anti freeze/coolant

[Deserion]

Originally Posted by rexcramer

Here is a topic I have never seen discussed. Has anybody used a 'flush chemical' prior to refilling? I am going to guess the OEM fluid group hasn't. What about the Prestone faithful? Prestone makes a 'flush and cleaner.' Back in the day when the earth was flat, I always used a flush on my cast iron blocks before replacing the anti-freeze.

Most threads/videos speak to flushing once or twice with distilled only.

I know that Mercedes has a citric acid flush. If the directions are followed exactly, it works well for breaking down gunk. Some forum posters claim it's not as strong as the Prestone flush, for what it's worth.

[Brian in Tucson]

Originally Posted by Deserion

I know that Mercedes has a citric acid flush. If the directions are followed exactly, it works well for breaking down gunk. Some forum posters claim it's not as strong as the Prestone flush, for what it's worth.

For that matter, one could use white vinegar & distilled water as a flush. Probably a 50/50 mix and drive it for a day would do. The stuff in a coolant system is water & acid soluble, shouldn't be any oily or greasy residue.

[rexcramer]

Thanks for all of the input. Should've thought of vinegar myself. I use vinegar, once a year, on my tank-less water heater. Works great. I am over-due for a coolant flush and fill. I am going to drain the system and see how crusty it is inside and then decide.