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Topic: Gunk in Cooling System and Reservoir

in Forum: C4 Cooling and Heating Systems


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Gunk in Cooling System and Reservoir (1/3)
 4/25/17 5:09am
Kettsvette
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Scottsdale, AZ - USA

Vette(s):
1988 Dark Red Metallic Convertible with sports seats, Delco/Bose radio system, Z52 suspension


Joined: 7/8/2014
Posts: 31

My '88 has a thin film of gunk in the upper radiator area of the cooling system and the reservoir.  I believe this gunk is a result of the local Chevy dealer using DEX-COOL instead of the ethylene based "green" conventional antifreeze about 2 years ago that went unnoticed by me.  The reservoir has become internally stained and the greasy gunky film is also inside the reservoir.
 
Does anyone have any experience in cleaning the reservoir to get rid of both the stains and the gunk?  I have heard that some degreasers (Purple Power, Orange, Simple Green) may work with bleach and coarse sand or kitty litter after vigorously shaking the solution in the reservoir.  It would help if any one has experience or suggestions with these or other concoctions to get rid of this mess.


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Re: Gunk in Cooling System and Reservoir (2/3)
 4/25/17 11:00pm
Black Shark
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Vette(s):
Black 1979 L-82 Black 1996 LT1 Black 1999 Coupe


Joined: 3/20/2009
Posts: 611

Kettsvette said: My '88 has a thin film of gunk in the upper radiator area of the cooling system and the reservoir.  I believe this gunk is a result of the local Chevy dealer using DEX-COOL instead of the ethylene based "green" conventional antifreeze about 2 years ago that went unnoticed by me.  The reservoir has become internally stained and the greasy gunky film is also inside the reservoir.
 
Does anyone have any experience in cleaning the reservoir to get rid of both the stains and the gunk?  I have heard that some degreasers (Purple Power, Orange, Simple Green) may work with bleach and coarse sand or kitty litter after vigorously shaking the solution in the reservoir.  It would help if any one has experience or suggestions with these or other concoctions to get rid of this mess.



Don't mix other cleaners with bleach when you do this.
Bleach water + rag on coat hangar or pea gravel and shake.
 
then a soap/cleaner solution + rag on coat hangar or pea gravel and shake if needed.
I did this on my RS because of rust staining.
Re: Gunk in Cooling System and Reservoir (3/3)
 4/26/17 1:26pm
Kettsvette
Standard Member
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Scottsdale, AZ - USA

Vette(s):
1988 Dark Red Metallic Convertible with sports seats, Delco/Bose radio system, Z52 suspension


Joined: 7/8/2014
Posts: 31

Thank you for your response.  I ended up using Purple Power with some coarse rocks from my yard and shook the container for a bunch of minutes and a lot of paper towels with a metal rod to get to some of the more difficult stains removed.  The solution was also used to clean the outside of the reservoir, which had more stains, using an old sponge with a coarse backing.
 
After I removed the rocks and cleaning solution and rinsed the reservoir several times, I used the bleach to whiten the plastic and placed the reservoir in the sun to dry and get the benefits of the sun to help with the whitening.  After about 5 hours of drying I again rinsed the reservoir and it looks pretty close to new.
 
Again, thanks for the reply and your point about mixing a bleach with solvents is a valid precaution. 


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