Hey BLUEPRINT...

ronwest · 28-12-2007, 08:45 PM

You're the radiator guy, I think?

Supposing one had a neighbour with an AU (for on topic reasons) or even a Mk3 Golf which had a failed transmision oil cooler and dumped trans oil in the cooling system (not to mention coolant in the auto).... how does he get the trans oil out of the cooling system?
He's drained the radiator a couple of times and there are globs of brown trans oil draining out but as its extremely difficult to get at the bottom rad hose he's hoping there is something he can use to hasten the process?

Looks to me as if there is a fair amount of oil in there. When he drained the auto he reckons that it was about 1/2 a litre less than it should have been.

Cheers for any ideas...

blackers10 · 29-12-2007, 12:16 AM

id say take the radiator OUT
then some sort of degreaser or flush of some sort that is going to work against oil ...
and yes it is blueprint who is the radiator guru

ronwest · 29-12-2007, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackers10

id say take the radiator OUT
then some sort of degreaser or flush of some sort that is going to work against oil ...

Yes, he had the radiator out and flushed when he was fitting the aftermarket cooler.
The trouble is that the whole cooling system is contaminated with globs of goop which won't emulsify so it keeps oozing into the radiator (and as prev mentioned it is very difficult to drop the lower hose).

The main problem with that is the thermo fans don't work which probably means that the radiator mounted sender unit is gunked up (fuse/relay ok).

He's happy to have the system flushed out professionally but that ain't going to happen until the 7th (at least) and he needs the car in the meantime.

If push comes to shove we can hotwire the fans so they are "on" all the time but that's hardly a satisfactory result.

Anyhoo, we can wait for Blue to sober up and give us the benefit of his experience ;)

ronwest · 01-01-2008, 09:00 PM

Just as a follow up...

He flushed the cooling system a number of times with washing soda and all seems good.

The cheer squad (me) is pretty impressed with the cleaning qualities of something that costs half a bugger all.

He'll refresh the coolant conditioner next weekend but he's (and I'm) not sure what the deal is.

Looking around the net there are all sorts of contradictory advice regarding this subject.

On the header tank it says "G11" which is the original type of conditioner but I'm wondering if anyone knows for sure whether it matters if he just sticks Tectaloy in?

blackers10 · 01-01-2008, 09:03 PM

unless it has a alloy radiator and needs the anti corrosive tablets like holdens have (damn them)

then i dont see why thered be an issue??
maybe give the car company service department a ring?

good luck

ronwest · 01-01-2008, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackers10

unless it has a alloy radiator and needs the anti corrosive tablets like holdens have (damn them)

Yeah, it's got an alloy radiator.
I think that the problem with generic brands is that they can't be all things to all people.

Golfs and maybe most(?) European cars of neighbours vintage (at least) stipulate low phosphate whereas Japanese carmakers stipulate high phosphate coolant.

You'd imagine that Tectaloy is somewhere in the middle if it's hoping to please most groups, lol.

I think you're right in that contacting the appropriate dealer is the next step.

InfernoSR · 05-01-2008, 12:06 AM

Good to see the Washing Soda worked for him, as i was only going to suggest it for a start anyway :P

I do apologize for the late post, i would have liked to reply sooner, but internet was limited when i was off on holiday down in glorious Bathurst

... plus i did have to sober up ALOT after NYE LOL!

As for Tectaloy, yes... go for the Gold in concentrate and mix the correct amount to the litres capacity (user manual)... us a clean water, but not rain water (as these are highly ironised and hard on the system).

ronwest · 05-01-2008, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BLUEPRINT

I do apologize for the late post,

Yeah no problems mate thanks for taking the time.

I'll let him know about the Gold Tectaloy... I'm not sure whether he's been on to the dealer as yet.

Are you anywhere around Moree? If so, I've got a story for you.