Radiator issues - Help if you can

[Kflasher]

Just outta interest…

Has anyone had to remove ‘lime’ (I think it is) build up from their radiator?

Recent roadwork’s had a sign on the lines of “Lime Splashes… Wash Vehicle”
Unfortunately I don’t carry a water hose with me and the next water stop (petrol station) was
~70km away.
Hence the now cooked on/ in lime to the radiator, I have stripped the bike and washed it off motor, frame, suspension but the radiator is some what sensitive to mess with and not wanting to screw it up.

A simple solution of mild acid ‘white vinegar’ may do the job, but just wondering if anyone has any other suggestions or knows of something that will work.

Cheers
Rich.

[centaurus]

I know a lot of people use and recommend vinegar or vinegar with water for flushing the radiators and the bike's cooling system so it would definitely not damage the radiator.

[Owl]

:doh:

I should read the opening post better:rolleyes:

[cs363]

Use malt vinegar, not white undiluted (put it in an old spray bottle) and alternate with using the hose with lots of water and as stiff a brush as you can use that won't damage the fins. I have also heard that sugar soap is effective (but you'd want to spot test that as it is corrosive) also you could try a sugar solution if this stuff is anything to go by: http://www.topoftheline.com/cement-concrete-remover-auto.html Can't say I've seen this or any similar product for sale here, but might be worth asking at Mitre 10 or Placemakers etc.
Whatever you use I think you're in for a long and repetitive process unfortunately. Best of luck :)

[mikeey01]

Kflasher, there is some stuff you can get called CLR?, I've heard it does work.
Method- removed radiator, all rubber etc from it & soak only the radiator in a diluted mixture, the bottle may have a dilution recommendation.

[cs363]

Kflasher, there is some stuff you can get called CLR?, I've heard it does work.
Method- removed radiator, all rubber etc from it & soak only the radiator in a diluted mixture, the bottle may have a dilution recommendation.

:niceone: Good call! I forgot about that stuff (Calcium & Lime Remover) - you can get it from most hardware stores. probably still pay to get as much of the lime off with the stiff(ish) brush and water method prior to soaking in CLR.

189619

[Kflasher]

I know a lot…


Use…


…CLR…

Cheers guys much appreciated, I started flicking it out with pin last night... very sore fingers this morning.
Since it is off the bike I will try the CLR solution, the web search says it is not corrosive to the aluminium.

[vifferman]

Good suggestions, apart from the 'sugar soap', which I believe is caustic rather than acid, so it won't be very effective.
The 'lime' is basically calcium carbonate, which is alkaline, so it needs an acid to remove it.

[cs363]

Good suggestions, apart from the 'sugar soap', which I believe is caustic rather than acid, so it won't be very effective.
The 'lime' is basically calcium carbonate, which is alkaline, so it needs an acid to remove it.

Yeah, I was dubious about that - hence the cautionary note! :)

[Kflasher]

I know a lot…


Use…


…CLR…


Good suggestions.

Hey guys, Update:

I soaked the radiator in diluted CLR solution for about 12hrs (overnight).
All the fine cement has been cleaned out and just left some courser (but minor) material wedged in the fins, so back to flicking out with pin.

So all in all a nice new looking radiator and now working as it was designed to :yes:.