Can I run iron out through the cooling system?

[indybleck]

Was thinking about mixing up some iron out and running it through the block next spring using a antifreeze winterizing tank to clean out any rust in the cooling system. Has anyone done this before? Will it do damage to any internal parts of the cooling system or will chunks of rust plug up the exhaust? Just wondering if this will work or just don't worry about the rust. I have a 1988 5.7 OMC with a Cobra drive. Thanks

 

[Bondo]

Re: Can I run iron out through the cooling system?

Grand Blanc MI

Ayuh,.... Why would ya want to,..??

Yer boatin' in sweetwater,... Rust is pretty much a Non-issue....

In our motors, the iron takes on a rust patina to protect itself from further rusting...
Clean it too well, 'n it just does the same thing again....

 

[indybleck]

Re: Can I run iron out through the cooling system?

Thanks Bond-o just wondering if cleaning the rust would be benefical or not.

 

[Don S]

Re: Can I run iron out through the cooling system?

Something just seems wrong about dumping something named "Iron Out" into a cast IRON engines cooling system.

 

[sschefer]

Re: Can I run iron out through the cooling system?

Something just seems wrong about dumping something named "Iron Out" into a cast IRON engines cooling system.

Yeah, that one got my attention too.. I'm sure it's just a conflict of terminology... LOL... Out hear on the left coast we just use CLR, does the same thing at 1/3 the price.. We use it to clean out boilers too.. Works like a champ.

 

[stackz]

Re: Can I run iron out through the cooling system?

only reason I'd flush a block is to get any built up rust deposits around the cylinder bores out.

the water must flow!

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Can I run iron out through the cooling system?

Was thinking about mixing up some iron out and running it through the block next spring using a antifreeze winterizing tank to clean out any rust in the cooling system. Has anyone done this before? Will it do damage to any internal parts of the cooling system or will chunks of rust plug up the exhaust? Just wondering if this will work or just don't worry about the rust. I have a 1988 5.7 OMC with a Cobra drive. Thanks

Howdy,


It's probably not necessary....... But if you haven't pulled your risers in the last several years and inspected sealing surfaces and replaced riser gaskets, you might do that to prevent a leak there that could ruin your engine.

What you're describing probably wouldn't "hurt" anything.

Before I installed my 454 in 2006, I popped all the core plugs out and removed a fair amount of sand and *some* loose rust that was simply sitting in the bottom of the water jackets.........It probably wasn't required. none of the debris was at a level high enough to obstruct the water drains in the engine-block (10 years old, 120 fresh-water hrs since new).

But I was installing "full" closed cooling and I wanted ALL the loose rust and debris removed.


Cheers,


Rick

 

[sam60]

Re: Can I run iron out through the cooling system?

IRON OUT....From personal experience I can tell you that the stuff is aggressive enough to destroy tile grout. I wouldn't take the lid off of the jug within 20' of the boat.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Can I run iron out through the cooling system?

I did a little search for the MSDS for "Iron Out"

Turns out it's Oxalic Acid and a common acid used for dissolving iron oxide.

After a little more searching, it appears that it's been used for many years to clean out engine blocks and cooling systems in general.

You could probably use it safely if you didn't leave it in there very long. I think you'd be wasting your time though. Most of our engines don't have enough blockage to need it. AND if it you do, your engine block is probably ready for replacement. (clean out all the rust and you're probably in for a "rust-through"!!)

 

[indybleck]

Re: Can I run iron out through the cooling system?

Thanks for all the advice. Think I'll leave it alone.