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What causes rust in radiator?

  • Thread starter Thread starter sidewayzisbest
  • Start date Start date Apr 24, 2004
S

sidewayzisbest

New Member
Feb 6, 2003
427
0
0
Lexington, SC
Apr 24, 2004
#1
  • Apr 24, 2004
  • #1
I flushed it out maybe a month ago and now its back to rusty as hell ..and crap in it.......i used a napa powder that you mix with water when i flushed it last time....is there something wrong??thanks
 

Look Its Aaron

Your car looks like it came straight from Mexico.
Founding Member
Nov 18, 2001
2,634
0
48
Fontana, Cali
Apr 24, 2004
#2
  • Apr 24, 2004
  • #2
Well don't assume that some powder or any gimmick products will work all the time. Remember there is buildup in the heads/water pump/block also which is probably breaking up.
 

Michael Yount

Mustang Master
Apr 10, 2002
9,039
6
79
Charlotte, NC
Apr 24, 2004
#3
  • Apr 24, 2004
  • #3
As LookIts said above - you've got 13 years worth of corrosion going on inside the engine; minerals in the water (if distilled wasn't used) that get deposited inside the block and the radiator, and you can even get some galvanic corrosion of the radiator on top of all that. Given all that - you should probably keep flushing regularly until you start to keep it clear - and then it's probably time for a radiator replacement unless that's been done recently. I only use distilled water in the cooling system to minimize mineral deposits. If you've ever looked inside an old water heater, that's what happens to the inside of your radiator over time - significantly reduces it's heat transfer abilities.
 

1970 slantroof

Founding Member
May 14, 2001
189
0
0
Far S.E. Arizona
Apr 24, 2004
#4
  • Apr 24, 2004
  • #4
You might try an inline water filter. They go in the upper radiator hose and catch a lot of junk. It will eventually clean all that stuff out. I can't remember the brand but some of the Mustang aftermarket catalogs have them listed. My buddy put one on his Cougar Eliminator and it cleared his coolant up.
Howard
 

1970 slantroof

Founding Member
May 14, 2001
189
0
0
Far S.E. Arizona
Apr 24, 2004
#5
  • Apr 24, 2004
  • #5
Gano Filters, Los Altos, Cal. is the one. They are clear so you can keep track of the condition of them.
Howard
 
S

sidewayzisbest

New Member
Feb 6, 2003
427
0
0
Lexington, SC
Apr 26, 2004
#6
  • Apr 26, 2004
  • #6
thanks i think i might try that i just flushed and and i put my hand it there and rubbed the sides and my finger was covered in rust =(.......its a 4month old radiator just a stocker replace from autozone.....could this cause overheating b/c my car will be at 210 with a mark8 fan and the stock 2 core thanks
 

1970 slantroof

Founding Member
May 14, 2001
189
0
0
Far S.E. Arizona
Apr 26, 2004
#7
  • Apr 26, 2004
  • #7
I would think the radiator would have to be pretty well plugged up to cause it to overheat on a new one like that. You could have the system pressure checked and they have a dye you can put in the radiator that will change color if exhaust gas is present. That will give you some info on your head gaskets. I know nothing about the Auto Zone radiators and whether they are equivalent in capacity to the stock ones.
Howard
 
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