Cleaning oil from cooling system

[rip]

   I drained my system since installing my oil cooler,however I still have oil in the cooling system.Before leaving Willie's shop he told me to put a cup of dawn soap in the system.I am now in Rapid City and when I went to a truck parks house to get a cleaner,he also told me to use dawn dish soap. Before doing something that doesn't sound right to me I want to get other opinions .I just don't want to screw things up beyond repair. I'll be in Rapid for a while so I have the time to do it right.
       Don

[Len Silva]

It works for oil soaked birds, it should be fine for a cooling system.  I thinks it's about as benign as anything you could put in there.

[DMoedave]

The oil scum will keep rising to the top of the system, if thats where your cap is great! you will be wiping oil scum out of the cap and filler neck for awhile tho. The dawn helps break it up into smaller particles. The heat from running it will help the most. good luck and keep us posted.

[Bill B /bus]

Calgon. Dump in a box, fill system with water. Run engine to temperature. Make sure the defroster is throwing heat. Shutdown engine. Drain. Refill when engine cools. Run to temperature. Now do this three or more times. Then start checking fore oil on the cap. Make sure that you have almost all the oil out before adding the antifreeze. Just makes it easier if you missed a big chunk of oil someplace in the lines.

Bill

[robertglines1]

?will the water filters not remove it??I have two on mine and don't think they would let oil by???----Fwiw we use dawn in spray bottle (mixed) to take oil-diesel spill of top of water.just mist it on...don't know how it works but keeps coastguard from looking for leaks etc..we are talking small amounts...not BP

[rip]

I do not have a filter on my cooling system. I was wondering if I should had one and how hard it would be to add one if it would help.
     Don

[robertglines1]

mine are mounted on frame.with hose running in one side and out other..it has a bypass circuit so you can isolate filters to change...will have to look again but think they are in circuit that would supply heater(before shut off)

[JohnEd]

What Bill B  take notes and memorize it.  I might add that you should "feel" the rinse for that slick feeling when you rub your fingers together   After the final rinse you should not feel anything slick.

I use exactly this procedure but I use WASHING SODA.  I think the soda will also dissolve some of the rust and stuff.  For all I know Calgon is washing soda by another name.  Run the engine for a couple days....just does better job.  Benign isn't the quality you seek.

THE RINSE IS VERY IMPORTANT.  If you leave detergent like substance in there you will take out a water pump seal.  When you drain drain thru the rad and right and left block drains and disconnect the defroster run and blow the coolant out of it with air.  Blow it thru in the reverse direction.

I think your filters would be OK if you reverse flushed them after charging them with a detergent/washing soda solution.   I don't think they can pass oil but they will pass oil in solution.  However little that might be.

John

[Busted Knuckle]

Don,
It'll be fine! I have used Dawn, and just plain old cheap washing detergent more than once!
Trust them, they ain't lying to ya!
  BK 

[Highway Yacht]

Dawn works wonders on oils...and it doesn't take all that much either. We use it at work all the time for this same reason.

[harpold700 3]

calgon dishwasher soap will not foam up while circulating.  It's your best bet.