Citrus Flush for cooler engines...

[zu!]

I was talking to TardisDeli about her van and she showed me her rad, which was filled with the green coolant. Now I don't know about you guys, but being a Merc diesel guy, I'm really AR about coolant. As you guys probably know, a hot diesel engine is not good. So anyway, I usually do mine once every 2 years.

Here's the procedure. Bear in mind that doing this procedure has sometimes resulted in leaks at joints and hoses etc. IMO, this is a good thing as the flush dislodged stuff that was starting to gum up your coolant arteries (think bad cholesterol).

[Profister]

I am glad my cooling system is maintenance free!

[jessef]

I am glad my cooling system is maintenance free!

npg coolant is awesome stuff !

[after oil]

most of us replace our cooling systems completely when we get our busses. after how many km's would a citrus flush be recommended? i might try it on my benz though!

[FalcoColumbarius]

Oh yeah! I love Lime flavour!

This is an interesting article you post, Zu! ~ I'm looking into coolant issues at the moment, in particular how much relevance the heat exchangers have in the overall cooling of the engine (before turning them on). Ergo if we recore the main rad should we not also recore, or at least flush the heat exchangers?

Falco.

[zu!]

I would do it every two years. Doesn't hurt a good system for sure. You definitely want to clean the heat exchangers too (I'm assuming you meant the heater core). That's why you need to access the engine block drain plug. Just letting the coolant out of rad is just going to flush the rad. The other parts within engine and heater core are important too.

Afteroil, I don't think the entire cooling system is replaced on your vans. Probably just your rad. That coolant goes through the entire engine and into your cabin right?

Hmmm, do the Delica's get heat in the rear as well? That's a pretty long journey from engine eh! I wonder if there's another plug back there to release coolant? I like dieselgiant's vacuum tool to suck out all the air too. I've gotta make one one of these days.

[after oil]

I would do it every two years. Doesn't hurt a good system for sure. You definitely want to clean the heat exchangers too (I'm assuming you meant the heater core). That's why you need to access the engine block drain plug. Just letting the coolant out of rad is just going to flush the rad. The other parts within engine and heater core are important too.

Afteroil, I don't think the entire cooling system is replaced on your vans. Probably just your rad. That coolant goes through the entire engine and into your cabin right?

Hmmm, do the Delica's get heat in the rear as well? That's a pretty long journey from engine eh! I wonder if there's another plug back there to release coolant? I like dieselgiant's vacuum tool to suck out all the air too. I've gotta make one one of these days.

FYI every van that i have sold, and most that i have seen have had all the hoses and rad and pump and thermostat and radcap all replaced

[fexlboi]

You definitely want to clean the heat exchangers too (I'm assuming you meant the heater core). That's why you need to access the engine block drain plug. Just letting the coolant out of rad is just going to flush the rad. The other parts within engine and heater core are important too.

Afteroil, I don't think the entire cooling system is replaced on your vans. Probably just your rad. That coolant goes through the entire engine and into your cabin right?

Hmmm, do the Delica's get heat in the rear as well? That's a pretty long journey from engine eh! I wonder if there's another plug back there to release coolant?

Good point zu! I'm pretty sure many people forget about the front/rear heater core+hoses and just replace the upper- and lower rad hose and the radiator. As I took our rear AC out you could clearly see the core would need to be flushed/replaced too if you want to have a very well working cooling system.

[zu!]

FYI every van that i have sold, and most that i have seen have had all the hoses and rad and pump and thermostat and radcap all replaced

I'm not doubting that at all. I brought this up from the perspective of a guy who keeps his car going for a lot longer than anybody's Delica...my '84 Benz. Its already got 573k on it, and going strong. But the only way it can keep doing that is if I give it the love it needs.

I really don't know anything about the Delica's cooling system, at least until I get my own and start tearing into it. However, coming from a diesel guy's perspective, and especially suspecting that there's a whole lot more plumbing in a Delica than an old Merc (and most of it being aluminium, I suspect?) well, a little preventative maintenance can't hurt now can it?

And FWIW, I didn't know you sold vans...I was referring to your personal van, when I said "your van's"...etc

[zu!]

You definitely want to clean the heat exchangers too (I'm assuming you meant the heater core). That's why you need to access the engine block drain plug. Just letting the coolant out of rad is just going to flush the rad. The other parts within engine and heater core are important too.

Afteroil, I don't think the entire cooling system is replaced on your vans. Probably just your rad. That coolant goes through the entire engine and into your cabin right?

Hmmm, do the Delica's get heat in the rear as well? That's a pretty long journey from engine eh! I wonder if there's another plug back there to release coolant?

Good point zu! I'm pretty sure many people forget about the front/rear heater core+hoses and just replace the upper- and lower rad hose. As I took our rear AC out you could clearly see the core would need to be flushed/replaced too if you want to have a very well working cooling system.

Wow fexlboi...that's a REALLY impressive Delica! You've done so much to it, starting with the Fatmat (I used Dynamat in my vw bus, as much as I could afford...the bloody stuff is expensive!). I really like your mods and hope when I get mine I can do much of the same, I got this thing about lights too and relays and wiring, etc etc...

I too don't see any use for a rear aircon in Canada's wonderfully cool weather (yes, its cool to me, even in summer). Removing all that would probably make for a much more efficient system. Is there a separate compressor for the back? Does coolant run all the way back there for heating as well?

[nxski]

Hmmm, do the Delica's get heat in the rear as well? That's a pretty long journey from engine eh! I wonder if there's another plug back there to release coolant? I like dieselgiant's vacuum tool to suck out all the air too. I've gotta make one one of these days.

Not much heat in the rear

[after oil]

FYI every van that i have sold, and most that i have seen have had all the hoses and rad and pump and thermostat and radcap all replaced

I'm not doubting that at all. I brought this up from the perspective of a guy who keeps his car going for a lot longer than anybody's Delica...my '84 Benz. Its already got 573k on it, and going strong. But the only way it can keep doing that is if I give it the love it needs.

I really don't know anything about the Delica's cooling system, at least until I get my own and start tearing into it. However, coming from a diesel guy's perspective, and especially suspecting that there's a whole lot more plumbing in a Delica than an old Merc (and most of it being aluminium, I suspect?) well, a little preventative maintenance can't hurt now can it?

And FWIW, I didn't know you sold vans...I was referring to your personal van, when I said "your van's"...etc

'tsall good!
much respect to you or keeping a car going for so long. i got a 78 240d with 200k+ miles, but havent been running it. its in nice shape though... id like to unload it

[fexlboi]

Removing all that would probably make for a much more efficient system. Is there a separate compressor for the back? Does coolant run all the way back there for heating as well?

Not sure if its much more efficient, but at least it gives you a lot more room to mount some other stuff underneath :)
No, there is no separate compressor. The coolant doesn't run all the way to the back, just right behind the engine hump.