I have been having problems with my rad, one side hot, the other freezing. Like most people had considered either a new standard rad, or an uprated one.

 

However, was out doing a bit today and found some kitchen descaler in the garage. What the hell, methinks, in she goes, done 12 sachets in there as one is meant to do a standard kettle, and started her up.

 

Now the temp guage normally sits bang on 80 degrees, no matter what, after five minutes of running, it shoots straight up to 100 and starts flashing a warning, so I take off the cap (carefully!) and she is well low on water, fill her up to the top and let her run on.

 

The guage settled at 75 dgrees, and for the first time ever on this car, when I lifetd the rad cap again , there was pressure inside (the cap side was the one that was cold). Can only imagine that the descaler removed a fairly large blockage, allowing water into an are that previously didnt have (enough) water in it, and allowed a free flow of water thru the rad.

 

Comments?

Was it the type of descaler that said don't use on aluminium kettles ? :eek: !

no, said it was afe on all types, was a blue liquid

Hhhmmmm - interesting mate! I suppose only time will tell but I hope it stay gooes for you. Mind, I would definately do a good flush on the old girl!

have left it overnight and will flush well tomorrow, then the distilled water/ anti corrosion coolant will go in :)

If one side was hot and one side was cold, then I would have thought you have an air lock, did you not try bleeding the rad first of all ?

bled it over and over stu, there was no circulation in the system, tho the pump was spinning, I had thought there was a blockage in the rad, and the above seems to prove it