Radiator Flush - Citric Solution - Alto DIY

[Xulfiqar]

make sure the mechanic doesnt pinch the O ring on the coolant pipe when installing, also closely inspect the waterpump weep hole, if its slightly crusty, its passable, if its corroded its trash. Coolant helps lube the pump outer seal, rust particulate is abrasive and can kill a pump.

[hasankhurshid29]

But why after cleaning the system with citric acid, causes head gasket to get shot?

Maybe the system is too much corroded

[hasankhurshid29]

After that cooling system has started to drink water like a thirsty camel.

Didn't you check on water level and that causes the head gasket to blew?

[Xulfiqar]

But why after cleaning the system with citric acid, causes head gasket to get shot?

Maybe the system is too much corroded

This is the problem..

[krafiq]

Head Gasket is not shot. It is weak and gulping water. I know this because I keep replacing the water on daily basis
Will switch to coolant inshallah once it's stop drinking water like a free buffet

[Xulfiqar]

Head gasket is either breached or is not breached. There is no middle ground.

Did any pressure test?

[krafiq]

Ok. @Xulfiqar
In that case it was breached.
Opened the head yesterday, got it surfaced very slightly and replaced with new head gasket. Now
-the vibrations have disappeared
- new like engine sound can be heard MashAllah
- water levels are intact

Next step, monitoring water levels and changing to caltex coolant with distilled water

[Xulfiqar]

Did you inspect all the welch plugs? The coolant pipe etc?

[krafiq]

Ustad G, TBH cannot confirm about welch plugs. Head was removed, inner looked clean without rust. Did not see any leakages nor did the Pak Suzuki supervisor pointed out any.
If by coolant pipe you mean radiator metal pipe, then I had it replaced with OEM part. Old pipe 23 years old was rusted as expected

[Xulfiqar]

The plugs are replaced any time the head is removed for job of coolant leakage work.

The parts are literally in the 10s or at max small hundreds of rupees.

[brownrose78]

It seems Desi mechanics have not learnt this Welch plugs replacement like usage of 20w50 "Aail" and "Tappet Taght(Tight)" from their Ustaad G who have not come out from era of "Gaddi to bas Chohattar 74 ya Chiyaasi 86 B'nai thee Jaapan walo ney"

[miqdadkanani]

Malik (machinist) replaces welch plugs everytime I guess

[krafiq]

Please educate about a product like K seal car coolant leak repair like following:
K-Seal Car Coolant Leak Repair - Multipurpose 8oz imported from USA | https://click.daraz.pk/e/_CYfyg4

Are these products any good. Do you recommend or is it something to be avoided?

[Xulfiqar]

avoid this product completely. This will clog and destroy your entire cooling system.

[Xulfiqar]

74 and 86 both were iron block engines and used a total of 8 plugs on the block and 2 or 3 on the head - which ran cheap type green coolant that ensured the plugs corroded if the coolant wasnt changed every year or two.

[pwuser162557941033]

Do these cast iron block + alu cylinder heads require silicate-free coolant? Or any other specific OEM requirements?

[Xulfiqar]

mixed metal engines work best on light silicate stuff like mercedes benz and BMW specify. Specifically the oldschool Glysantin G05 formula, it works best with composite/paper head gasket materials too. You can use a full old IAT green too, but it requires flushing every couple of years. And has garbage electrolysis control.

The OAT coolants work quite slowly and rely on perfect sealing everywhere. unlike IAT or silicated or phospated HOAT coolants which immediately coat the metals for protection, OAT coolants slowly coat the metal over months.

[pwuser162557941033]

Absolutely, I preferred the golden Zerex G-05 when I had the opportunity. Would you know if there's an analogue available in the Pakistani market?

I'm using Glysantin G48 and I have my doubts about it - it's the only Glysantin coolant available here. It has MB 325.0 approval, though.

Also, please do share some literature if you can. I'm very interested in the subject.

Edit: MB TSB about G48 superseding G05. Didn't know the two were miscible! Good to know. Low silicate is reassuring.

[Xulfiqar]

MB chose to go the nitrite free route due to changes in their heater core design and G05 is so old that I was probably sucking a pacifier when BASF launched it.

[krafiq]

Caltex coolant finally poured into the system. 50/50 ratio with distilled water
Fingers crossed. Hope I don't get any unexpected surprises.
Flushed the system 4 to 5 times till the water started coming out clean without rust. Then poured in distilled water for cleansing, used air blower to dry up the system, plugged back the cork of radiator and filled up with coolant.
Have kept the radiator cap unscrewed. Will let the system settle in idle whole night, then in morning add up coolant slowly to avoid any air lock
Fingers crossed 🤞