I disagree.  The cost for flush and test is close to the cost for a new
one.  Wouldn't hurt to try to clean it and then order a new if that fails.
I tried to get my Suburban radiator services a couple of years agao, and was
quoted 187.00.  I could get a new one for 213.00.  Used to be around 50-60
for a radiator flush, test, and reinstall.  Personally, if I could source a
new on for the 150.00 quoted previously, I would go that route and save the
time.  This is a 20+ year old part after all. Just my .02. no need to agree
with me...my wife nver does. :-)
Michael in San Antonio
91GL AT 'Gringo'
73 Beetle

On Mon, Apr 5, 2010 at 4:41 AM, Mike <mbucchino@charter.net> wrote:

> I don't see why you don't just take it out and send it to a radiator shop.
>  That's what they do. It's not expensive, and they'll repair any holes that
> this process can uncover,  and then pressure test for leaks.
> Some things are best left to the professionals, and this is one of them.
>
> Mike B.
>  ----- Original Message -----
>  From: Janne Ruohom�ki
>  To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>   Sent: Monday, April 05, 2010 5:08 AM
>  Subject: Re: Archive not. Re: Radiator flush
>
>
>  Sorry for not so exact answer but..
>
>  Citric acid can probably eat some of the aluminum if solution is of
>  very high concentration. That being said, I do not think that You
>  would be able to do damage to Your radiator very easily with citric
>  acid alone. It can etch the aluminum. Etced aluminum will look dark.
>  Just etching does not damage the aluminum (well, it does but not
>  significantly), but at that point You have already solution strong
>  enough to change the composition of non-corroded aluminum. Different
>  acids have different properties with metals, but generally oxidized
>  metals You want to remove here are more actively reacting with acids
>  than the healthy metal itself.
>
>  The radiator should probably be cleaned with some cleaning detergent
>  in order to allow citric acid to contact the inner surfaces of the
>  radiator. Oil for example on the surface will prevent citric acid from
>  doing the magic. Some commercial products meant for this probably have
>  cleaning detergent already in addition to acid itself. I like my acid
>  and soap separately.
>
>  And do stay on mild acids when working with aluminum. With stronger
>  acids You wont be able to find Your radiator anymore.
>
>  On Mon, Apr 5, 2010 at 12:39 AM, Zolly <zolo@foxinternet.net> wrote:
>  > Finally an answer. The only one. Thanks Doug. OK, what dilution ratio
>  > shell I use? How good is it with the aluminum?
>  > Zoltan
>  >
>  > ----- Original Message -----
>  > From: "Doug" <vanagons@cox.net>
>  > To: "Zolly" <zolo@FOXINTERNET.NET>
>  > Cc: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
>  > Sent: Sunday, April 04, 2010 1:11 PM
>  > Subject: Re: Archive not. Re: Radiator flush
>  >
>  >
>  >> Zolts,
>  >> Diluted Citric Acid soak (12-24 hrs), rinse, repeat if desired.
>  >> Happy Holidays!
>  >>
>  >> Zolly wrote:
>  >>>
>  >>> If you go through, but don't, the archive postings, you will see that
>  >>> none
>  >>> of them has an answer. IMHO the archive is not useful. Especially if
>  >>> you
>  >>> go by the Subjet line. Because by using the Subject line, the
> discussion
>  >>> always changes to all kind of topics that are not related to it. And
>  >>> this
>  >>> time is not different. That is why I can't spend days to go through
> the
>  >>> archive postings to find a slightly related answer that is totally
>  >>> useless
>  >>> anyway.
>  >>> But I know, there is a solution to it, if not any other way than the
>  >>> one I
>  >>> will invent.
>  >>> Keep on looking for a better way.
>  >>> Zoltan
>  >>>
>  >>> ----- Original Message -----
>  >>> From: "Bob Stevens" <mtbiker62@GMAIL.COM>
>  >>> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
>  >>> Sent: Sunday, April 04, 2010 9:17 AM
>  >>> Subject: Re: Radiator flush
>  >>>
>  >>>
>  >>>>
>  >>>>
> http://gerry.vanagon.com/cgi-bin/wa.exe?S2=vanagon&L=vanagon&q=radiator+flush&s=radiator+flush&f=&a=January+2001&b=1+December+08
>  >>>>
>  >>>>
>  >>>> On Sun, Apr 4, 2010 at 10:06 AM, Zoltan <thewestyman@gmail.com>
> wrote:
>  >>>>
>  >>>>> I don't remember seeing a posting about how to flush a radiator to
> get
>  >>>>> out
>  >>>>> all the deposits. And what kind of liquid to use to free the
> deposits
>  >>>>> up.
>  >>>>> I can hook up a separate pump with two different hoses to it, so
> only
>  >>>>> the
>  >>>>> radiator would be involved. Do I need a certain pressure to push
>  >>>>> out the
>  >>>>> dirt? Do I need to do it both direction?
>  >>>>> Anyone know anything about this kind of work? Do I need a filter
> with
>  >>>>> flush like that?
>  >>>>> I have tried to hook up the garden hose, but other than the water
> going
>  >>>>> through freely, I did not achive any positive result.
>  >>>>> Maybe I have to soak it with some liquid inside for a day to lift
> the
>  >>>>> deposits, then flush?
>  >>>>> Zoltan
>  >>>>>
>  >>>
>  >>>
>  >>>
>  >>>
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>  >
>  >
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>  >
>  >
>  >
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