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[tooleater]

When an oil cooler fails and you get that black brown gunk in the expansion tank, what is the best way to clean system. I ask this because a mechanic told me the following. Drain system, refill around 1 ltr short, put in a ltr of Petrol run for 5 mins max, drain a little off put in a good shot of fairy liquid run a further 5mins drain. Apparently Oil dissolves into petrol and fairy dissolves the mixture into water. Seriously guys anyone heard of that method, sounds like that concoction would dissolve vehicle into Ashes

[Andy B]

It's not something I've ever heard of, & I doubt I'd try.  Forte do a proper flush 

[tooleater]

What do you recommend Andy. Was thinking about putting in some Irish rocket fuel. Ie Pochtine

[Entwood]

When I did a mates 2.5 with a blown oil cooler we used a low suds biological industrial washing powder that his wife "acquired" from the hospital laundry .......

Took about a week flushing it twice a day .. but it did eventually get it all out.

Drain rad, add about 1 litre of hot water with a bloody good dollop of detergent dissolved (thats important - make sure it is dissolved BEFORE you add it) in it .. top up with clean water. Start engine and run at low rpm until up to temperature then run for a further 20-30 minutes (initially keeping a VERY close eye on the temp gauge, switching off at the first sign of it starting to rise above normal), ensuring that heater/climate controls are set to max hot, then switch off and allow to cool for about an hour or so, draining while still warm but not hot.

Repeat as time allows until system clean ... takes time but works ...

[Marks DTM Calib]

Well Petrol wont work as its not miscible in water 

It will just sit floating on top.

TFR works ok, as do no bio low suds detergents

[tooleater]

That's great mate will try the low suds detergent method, you might as well know it's for 05 peugeot Expert van, bought for £1k last owner thought Cylinder head. I going to stick a new oil cooler in and hope for the best

[Marks DTM Calib]

That's great mate will try the low suds detergent method, you might as well know it's for 05 peugeot Expert van, bought for £1k last owner thought Cylinder head. I going to stick a new oil cooler in and hope for the best

I love such symptoms being diagnosed as head gasket 

[tooleater]

For that money. Worth the gamble, had on road all last week, no water on dipstick doesn't over heat ever, S. Employed Gas fitter,almost paid for itself

[Marks DTM Calib]

Its pretty much physically impossible for oil, which in most of the points on a head gasket is at less than atmospheric pressure, to make its way into a pressurised cooling system. 

[Andy H]

I imagine that petrol would rot the rubber coolant hoses