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[TR] Back washing the heater

Subject: [TR] Back washing the heater
From: kinderlehrer at comcast.net (Kinderlehrer)
Date: Sun, 11 Mar 2012 15:21:57 -0700
References: <1331438217.62643.YahooMailNeo@web39406.mail.mud.yahoo.com> <004d01ccffae$99142b50$0301a8c0@randall>
I have done this, running the water through in one direction then the other
until I get clean water coming out and then some. I have no idea how those
coils are arranged in the heater, but it sure seems you can get a pretty
good clean flow and still have crud at the bottom of the heater. I hate to
admit it, but I used a bit more pressure than a pencil's width. I guess you
could go 4 to 7 lbs with no problems - If you could measure that. 
To do a thorough cleaning, I remove the heater, fill it with vinegar, and
shake it. Drain and repeat until I can fill it with the same volume of
liquid that the book lists as the capacity. Then flush it out with water and
reinstall.
Bob


-----Original Message-----
From: triumphs-bounces at autox.team.net
[mailto:triumphs-bounces at autox.team.net] On Behalf Of Randall
Sent: Sunday, March 11, 2012 10:44 AM
To: 'Cosmo Kramer'; triumphs at autox.team.net
Subject: Re: [TR] Back washing the heater

> 1- Does this method of flushing
> the heater mounted inside the GQ sound correct?

Should work fine.

> 2- Should I increase the
> water flow (thus increasing the water pressure)

I would.  A stronger flow will pick up more crud and flush it out.

> IF I do increase the water pressure, then how much? (1/4 turn?) 

Unfortunately, that is the tricky part. Both the pressure behind the faucet
and how far the faucet opens for 1/4 turn can vary quite a bit.  All I can
suggest is to monitor the flow from the outlet hose, and open the faucet in
small increments only until the flow is about pencil-sized or a bit larger.

> 4- Does
> anyone, suggest a better way of cleaning the heater, while 
> it's inside the GQ?

I might be tempted to just leave it alone for now, put the car back
together, and then flush it as part of the semi-annual cooling system
maintenance.  After all, you say it was working fine; and any sediment
inside will likely get flushed through into the lower radiator tank, where
it will come out when you change coolant.

That also opens up the option of letting your local radiator shop do the
flush.  They usually have a tool that uses a mixture of water and
low-pressure compressed air, that is more effective at flushing than just
water.

-- Randall  

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