Radiator problem

[89_3SFE]

I had a quick question about a radiator on a 91 camry V-6. I flushed it about three times in a row and it's still coming out so dirty you can't see a quarter of an inch underneath the surface. Is there something wrong with it do you guys think and I do need to get a new radiator, or is there something else I can do. Maybe it's normal, I don't know. Help me out please!! Thanks!

[Wraith]

Originally posted by 89_3SFE
I had a quick question about a radiator on a 91 camry V-6. I flushed it about three times in a row and it's still coming out so dirty you can't see a quarter of an inch underneath the surface. Is there something wrong with it do you guys think and I do need to get a new radiator, or is there something else I can do. Maybe it's normal, I don't know. Help me out please!! Thanks!

its normal for a radiator to get gunk up after years of service ... You have 2 options one run some really strong solvent on there or buy a new one ...

[Pineapple]

Remove thermostat. Put the neck back. Put water from upper hose side until it come out clear on lower hose side. Put water in lower hose side and run it till it come out clear on upper hose side. To flush the heater, remove upper hose, remove thermostat(hope you haven't put it back yet ), connect lower hose, fill rad with water, put garden hose in uperr hose side on the rad, keep it running. You can keep upper hose on rad and stuck the hose in it. Start the car and turn on heater. Keep it running for a few minute and keep running water into rad to top it up. You'll have nothing but water in it after that. Reconnect everything and make sure you put thermo back and fill it with coolant. Oh clean the over fill bottle too.

[amerikim]

Agree with Pineapple;

If its that dirty, flush with water. I would prefer to use coolant for the flush, but if its coming out crap, use water. But I would try to get coolant in as fast as I finish and I would use a slightly heavier dilution level (more coolant/less water). I worry about corrosion, once it starts..its yours forever.

I would not use solvent as there are rubber seals and mechanical parts to consider. I haven't seen any recommendations for radiator flush solution (chemical), anyone got one?