Steve, the Mercedes group is always against distilled water, as it is
seeking minerals, and the engine, and alum parts are the victim. They
recommend just tap water unless you live in a place where the tap water
is very high in mineral contents.
An alternative is to use, citric acid to clean the block, You can get
it from the pharmacist, and is cheap. Your back flush idea is good for
the loose stuff as well.
Larry
Steve Laifman wrote:
> Scott,
>
> Sounds like your block is full of scale. The Gano filter debris gives
> you a good clue, and prevented it from killing your radiator. Short
> of an engine disassembly, (and block scale boil out which is no longer
> allowed under emissions control), I recommend a very good radiator
> shop and a high air pressure injection in a water back flush of your
> block. This will get the loose scale, and loosen some more.
>
> Hopefully this will reduce your Gano cleaning intervals. I have tried
> radiator flush chemicals and never found one that was legal and worked.
>
> Don't know how many miles your engine has had, or whether rust
> inhibitors were regularly replenished, or included in anti-freeze
> annual/bi-annual changes. These could have been ignored by P.O. I
> use antifreeze here in the warm California weather because of the
> additives for corrosion, although these are available separately. In
> such a no freeze weather, I should be using distilled water and
> additive. Need sacrificial magnesium rods in radiator if any aluminum
> parts (manifold) in the water system. Better to replace the rods (J.
> C. Whitney) than the F4B.
>
> Good luck,
>
> Steve
>
> Jen/Scott wrote:
>
>> I have been having problems keeping my cooling system clean. The car had
>> been sitting for over ten years, so I expected some stuff in there, but
>> this seems like too much. I replaced the radiator and added a gano
>> filter, which does a great job, but gets full all the time! I have tried
>> flushing out every part of the system, but nothing will stop this
>> neverending supply of junk! (most of it is little metal flakes) Anyone
>> have any suggestions? Thanks
>>
>> Scott
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