Blocked engine block

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  • 23rd January 2021 at 9:39 pm #27901
    Joseph Dobson
    Participant

      Can any one suggest a method or clearing the drain plug  and galleries on the block of my 1957 Normale.  I have taken the radiator off and that seems blocked too in part.  I tried using a hose to force water into the block with no success.  I am reluctant to take the engine out or take the head off so I am hoping there might be a chemical solution.

      Joseph Dobson member 2819

      • This topic was modified 4 years, 3 months ago by Joseph Dobson.
      25th January 2021 at 10:48 am #27903
      Bernie
      Participant

        Joseph,

        It is probably worth trying a chemical product to break down the accumulated gunge but, in my experience, the “silt” can become so solid in the bottom of the block that it literally needs to be chiselled out and a full strip down is the only solution.

        Good luck.

        B….

         

        25th January 2021 at 6:32 pm #27905
        Larry Lewis
        Participant

          If you know anyone in the boiler service business, ask about an acid wash. It is normally done when boiler tubes and the inner shell of a boiler are so heavily covered in scale that heat transfer is reduced. But having said that, it’s pretty much considered a “last resort” kind of thing after the usual chemical treatments become ineffective. But I would think it would be worth a try.

          You may want to also try a pump and valve packing removal tool, one that has an end like a corkscrew on a flexible shaft with a Tee handle. In a wide-body car it may be possible to screw it into the water jacket of the block and unclog it.

          27th January 2021 at 9:31 am #27907
          Joseph Dobson
          Participant

            Thanks for the advice.  I am going to use acetic acid to clean the radiator which is dismounted at present and then reassemble and try a flushing product.

            28th January 2021 at 11:56 am #27908
            Bob Cross
            Participant

              Hi Joseph,

              Just to let you know of my experience, as a postscript. I had problems with engine overheating with my Big Six. On the advice of another member I flushed the system with Thermocure Cooling system Rust Remover Radiator Flush available from Frost Auto. The result was very good, well actually amazing, Overheating cured! For the sake of £25 – £30 you could try that.

              Bob Cross

              13th February 2021 at 10:13 am #27936
              Joseph Dobson
              Participant

                Thank you all for your advice.  A recipe on the internet proved effective.  Drain the radiator. Dissolve a dishwasher tablet in hot water and pour into the radiator and top up  Run the engine until it is warm and drain.  Flush with clean water. This is a degreaser and does not froth up.  Use 10 -13 ounces of citric acid per gallon and dissolve with water.  I found got water dissolves the best. Pour into the radiator and top up.  Run the engine until it is hot and let it run for 10 – 15 minutes.  Drain and flush out with clean water until there is no trace of the bitter taste of the acid.   Prior to doing all this I used a drill bit and screwed it into the drain hole, turning it with my fingers. and managed to get a lot of black sediment out.  This was not quite long enough so uses a hard plastic tue sharpened to a point and continued pushing and twisting until eventually water started to trickle out.

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