Coolant reservoir cleaning

[lrbbs]

Hello!

I'd like to share with you guys my experience in cleaning the coolant reservoir/overflow bottle.
My radiator has a small leak, which is 'under control' and I'll replace it soon.
Meanwhile, I added a K-Seal radiator repair to the cooling system which made the reservoir very dirty. To clean it, I did:

1) To take the reservoir out, I had to take out the MAP sensor and some hoses that floats around.
1) Took out the reservoir. Two nuts holds it and the left one, a 10mm funny shaped one, is a PAIN!
3) Started by scrubbing reservoir's body with water mixed with a 'laundry powder bleach' to clean outside.
4) For cleaning inside, I half filled it with water, added one tablet of dish washer soap, half cup of 'laundry powder bleach' and a cup of rice.
5) Shake vigorously for 15~20 minutes
6) Rinse everything out and repeat many times you need.
7) Finally, rinse all rice out. Make sure to not left a single grain.

Here goes the result. It was quite good! I should had taken a picture previous to the cleaning.



Hope it helps someone....

regards

[NitroPT]

^^^ This is a very common method for cleaning the coolant reservoir. Although I have not ever read the use of rice but makes sence. I will have to try that some time! There are many 2 and 3 chamber coolant reservoir tanks/bottles now on many newer vehicles that getting them semi clean is a challenge in itself.

Many of the so called cooling system stop leak make a complete mess of the cooling system and it generally requires a complete chemical system flushing to remove all the crap from using them.

As far I am am concern there is only one cooling system sealant that works and one other that my friends in the business have used that works and will not leave the cooling system in a disastrous need of clean up .
My choice and recommended product is:

Moroso 35500 Ceramic Engine Seal

[lrbbs]

Originally Posted by NitroPT

This is a very common method for cleaning the coolant reservoir. Although I have not ever read the use of rice but makes sence. I will have to try that some time! There are many 2 and 3 chamber coolant reservoir tanks/bottles now on many newer vehicles that getting them semi clean is a challenge in itself.

I've seen people using sand or gravel. They should be more effective on cleaning, I mean, cleaning faster, but i don't feel confortable knowing that gravels are going round and round in my car's cooling system.

Rice is more brittle and you should have to repeat the entire process two or three times. But at least, if some rice is left behind and gets into the cooling system, it should be cooked and probably dissolved due the pressure, lol!!

Originally Posted by NitroPT

Many of the so called cooling system stop leak make a complete mess of the cooling system and it generally requires a complete chemical system flushing to remove all the crap from using them.

Sure! I'll flush the entire system when I replace the radiator.

Thanks!
Lucas

[rob302]

you should be taking it off the car to do that, and nothing should be in it when you reinstall it. i'd assume if you cared enough to clean it you'd care enough to make sure there was no gravel left in it as well.


i use rice, table salt, and cold water to swoosh around and clean things. i picked this up from watching restaurants clean coffee pots. crushed ice and salt works even better.



i think for the PT i just stuck the powerwasher at the carwash inside and giggled.

[lrbbs]

Originally Posted by rob302

you should be taking it off the car to do that, and nothing should be in it when you reinstall it. i'd assume if you cared enough to clean it you'd care enough to make sure there was no gravel left in it as well.

If you read my post again, I mean, really read instead of only go through it, you'll read that I didn't use gravel, and I rinsed everything out. I'm very caution on repairing my car.

[NitroPT]

Originally Posted by lrbbs

I've seen people using sand or gravel. They should be more effective on cleaning, I mean, cleaning faster, but i don't feel confortable knowing that gravels are going round and round in my car's cooling system.
Rice is more brittle and you should have to repeat the entire process two or three times. But at least, if some rice is left behind and gets into the cooling system, it should be cooked and probably dissolved due the pressure, lol!!
Lucas

I am so happy that this is the coolant reservoir for the MINI. Easy to clean.




Oh wait...here is a better picture of it.

[lrbbs]

Originally Posted by NitroPT

I am so happy that this is the coolant reservoir for the MINI. Easy to clean.

No way!!!! The engineer that designed that thing must have some emotional problem... like.. was dropped by his first and only girlfriend...

[NitroPT]

Originally Posted by lrbbs

No way!!!! The engineer that designed that thing must have some emotional problem... like.. was dropped by his first and only girlfriend...

Dude..... I got a new one so I could plumb it for my water injection system and have it ready to install. When it came in I thought it was a mis boxed or labeled part and had to go to the FSM and look up a picture. It will take me about 4 hours to replace it when I do the change.The bumper fender inner fender well and part of the intake system has to be removed WTF!!!

Oh well the price we pay to mod something right?

Btw it is the wiper not coolant reservoir I just wanted to post the painful picture of the project.

However the coolant reservoir on the MINI is a 3 chamber. A PIA to clean. But next time I am going to try the rice.

[rob302]

Originally Posted by rob302

i'd assume if you cared enough to..[bla bla bla]

Originally Posted by lrbbs

If you read my post again, I mean, really read instead of only go through it, you'll read that I didn't use gravel, and I rinsed everything out.

i did really read it and i understood perfectly. i just didn't re-read mine to realize it sounded snottier than intended

sorry.




and nitro OMGWTF WHY? WHY? when I saw the mini's thermostat assembly that resembled a human heart i would have put the car up for sale. you must be a glutton for punishment!!

[Busted_PT]

Originally Posted by rob302

nitro OMGWTF WHY? WHY? when I saw the mini's thermostat assembly that resembled a human heart i would have put the car up for sale. you must be a glutton for punishment!!

Rob, we both know he really is a glutton for punishment! Lynn wouldn't have to any other way lol!