Newell Running Warm Looking at Cleaning My Radiator

[Paul Wilbert]

I had some trouble running hot heading to the campground we are in near Helen, GA. I have read about how to clean the radiator using simple green, but also have read it could be corrosive? I was planning to just use Simple Green straight without watering it down. Will this be okay? I am hoping this helps. I had to pull over and have lunch while it cooled down and of course the temperature dropped quite a bit during that time.

Long story short, I am going to clean first and I am hoping to do that this week before we head back home which will require some more climbing. So I need to make sure Simple Green will be okay to use and would love to hear any other ideas as to what could be causing the problem. I recently had my valves adjusted if that makes a difference.

Paul

[NewellCrazy]

A word of caution without trying to create panic: Simple Green can be harmful to aluminum and your radiator probably has aluminum fins. Simple Green says to allow it to remain in contact no more than10 minutes and rinse thoroughly. Or use Simple Green Pro HD or Simple Green Aircraft Cleaner, which is formulated to avoid problems with aluminum.

See the Simple Green FAQ here:

Frequently Asked Questions

[ccjohnson]

I have had good luck using Dawn dish soap for external radiator cleaning.

[GringoPhil]

you could try a new radiator cap. when they get old sometimes they won't hold enough coolant pressure to keep the coolant from boiling over.