Baking Soda in the engine?

[Bradlybob]

I searched and didn't really find a whole lot about it, so anyways... What exactly does adding baking soda and water do to clean out the cooling system. Should it be in there for a short time, a few hours, a few days? I've also read here about refilling the cooling system with a jug of vinegar/water, you know the Costco jug. Running it up to temp for awhile and draining. Does anyone have any experience with these cleaning ideas. I'm going to be jumping into the cooling system soon, I keep saying I am anyway, and I want to clean it before I refill it.

[bajacalal]

I could be wrong, but I thought it was done to neutralize any residual acidic solutions used to flush the system. The acid of course, will eat deposits and eventually the metal if left in there.

[langer1]

The vinegar is a mild acid to eat the rust and crud, the baking soda it to nutralize the vinegar and any other acids.

[play_in_the_mud]

from what i hear those are all the "redneck" secrets to cleaning out the cooling system. I work at an NTB (National Tire and Battery) we do a cooling system flush that works really well. Its gonna run u about $70-$80 but it really does do a good job, flushes the system out with a cleaner and then replace with whatever coolant u need. BTW i hear the royal purple additive is great.

[langer1]

from what i hear those are all the "redneck" secrets to cleaning out the cooling system. I work at an NTB (National Tire and Battery) we do a cooling system flush that works really well. Its gonna run u about $70-$80 but it really does do a good job, flushes the system out with a cleaner and then replace with whatever coolant u need. BTW i hear the royal purple additive is great.
Always got something to put on your Fair Frys also.

[Bradlybob]

So the deal is that you run the vinegar through first and then you hit it with the baking soda. Any suggestions on how long you're supposed to leave the chems in the engine?

Do those cooling system flush machines also flush the radiator? How do they get the thermostat to open so the flush and rinse is thorough?

[play_in_the_mud]

the flush flushes the entire system, the t stat opens on pressure, the flush machine attaches to the rad cap and pressurizes the system to force everything through. if u really wanna get one done let me know exactly where u are ill try to find a store near u and get u some kinda disco

[cmotsvt]

Anybody remember what happens when you mix baking soda and vinegar? Dont want that in my cooling system.

[ECKSJAY]

Anybody remember what happens when you mix baking soda and vinegar? Dont want that in my cooling system.

You're right. Sulphur and battery acid would have a better reaction.

[marcoleo]

I've run my XJ for one week with water and antilimestone for washing machine, then flushed and refilled with pure water 3 times before final refill it with antifreeze.
The antilimestone for washing machine is a mix that doesn't dry and ruin the rubber of the gasket in the circuit.
A lot of limestone is come out after the flushing, so I guess it work