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-   -   Coolant leaked, flush with vinegar & tap water? (https://www.ranger-forums.com/4-0l-ohv-sohc-v6-tech-33/coolant-leaked-flush-vinegar-tap-water-159154/)

Jay214 Oct 3, 2019 06:49 PM

Coolant leaked, flush with vinegar & tap water?
 
1999 4.0 4x4 83k miles
Sat for 4ish years. Needs fluids flushed.

Before I could get to this task truck leaked coolant in about 3 weeks of driving. It has a visible fresh leak streak around water pump. No milky oil but rad. reservoir was dry. To diagnose it and be sure, I want to flush/clean with vinegar and tap water, then drive it about 10 miles/day for about 3 days. I will flush tap water out with distilled water then add coolant. If I leave this mixture in it for 3 days only will tap water affect engine in those 3 days?

Turismolover22 Oct 3, 2019 07:54 PM

I would just flush it with water and leave it at that. Acid is not kind to aluminum.

Jeff R 1 Oct 4, 2019 01:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jay214 (Post 2159815)
1999 4.0 4x4 83k miles
Sat for 4ish years. Needs fluids flushed.

Before I could get to this task truck leaked coolant in about 3 weeks of driving. It has a visible fresh leak streak around water pump. No milky oil but rad. reservoir was dry. To diagnose it and be sure, I want to flush/clean with vinegar and tap water, then drive it about 10 miles/day for about 3 days. I will flush tap water out with distilled water then add coolant. If I leave this mixture in it for 3 days only will tap water affect engine in those 3 days?

Not for 3 days.
It's just diluted acetic acid.

Jay214 Oct 4, 2019 05:51 AM

Rad barely took less than half a quart of vinegar and it filled up. I thought that thing was empty. It's staying parked, I won't get to flushing it until Sunday.

Jeff R 1 Oct 4, 2019 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jay214 (Post 2159828)
Rad barely took less than half a quart of vinegar and it filled up. I thought that thing was empty. It's staying parked, I won't get to flushing it until Sunday.

Sunday is fine, it would take months or even years for vinegar to eat away at the aluminum.


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