6 replies to this topic

[chappy]

So as it says..

i'm gonna be taking out my heater soon, and while its out i might as well give it a good service..

but what should i use to flush it through? i live in a hard water area so don't really want to fill it full of limescale.


cheers


sam

[998dave]

If the matrix is out you'll be okay flushing with cold water from a hose, but make sure that you put it somewhere to dry afterwards and use a corrosion inhibitor when you fit it back onto the car, (antifreeze has corrosion inhibitor in it).

You only get massive limescale build up when boiling water (in a kettle), or leaving/running it though something for a long time. Spraying through with a hose will more likely clean scale and rust out.

Dave

[Dev]

have you thought about using Domestos?

It removes unsightly limescale build up and kills all known germs DEAD!

seriously fast flowing water should clear it out easily enough

[chappy]

sorry for sounding dumb... but

when i disconnect the matrix... its linked up to the coolant in the radiator isn't it? or is it somewhere else?


cheers


sam

[Ethel]

sorry for sounding dumb... but

when i disconnect the matrix... its linked up to the coolant in the radiator isn't it? or is it somewhere else?


cheers


sam

Yeah you can see the hoses come through the bulk head on the engine side. Expect up to 3 litres of water to come out if you don't drain the radiator first.

How about feeding your car a couple of calgon tablets?



Only joking, but don't see why you can't use a heavy dose of bog cleaner in the matrix if you rinse it thoroughly afterwards.

[998dave]

sorry for sounding dumb... but

when i disconnect the matrix... its linked up to the coolant in the radiator isn't it? or is it somewhere else?


cheers


sam

Correct.

(and as a result not sounding dumb at all - you only learn by asking or doing).

Essentially the engine warms the coolant, and the coolant goes through the heater matrix, (where some goes to the air to blow into your car in the winter), and then the coolant goes to the radiator where more heat is removed.

Now cooler, the coolant goes round again.

Both heater and radiator work in the same manner - as heat exchanges.
hot water in, cold water out, cold air in, warm air out.

Hence why flushing with water is fine for both systems. And using 50/50 mix antifreeze to water is recommended to protect your cooling system, (and heater) against freezing up, corrosion and lime scale.

Regards,

Dave

[chappy]

thanks for the replies guys, really helped me out.



sam