Zerex G05 + Liquid Detergent = OK? - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Mike Murrell · #16 07-18-2011, 11:52 PM

Drain the block - it holds half the coolant and is usually easy to drain.

Then the 10 step method is cut down to 5 or 6 and a lot less time is wasted.

If block is not easy to drain - then use the 10 step method with one variation.

Pull t-stat first - then reconnect hose with t-stat cover back in place. Now water flows makes a bigger circle cutting 10 steps down to 7 or 8.

Do this also with the drain-the block approach.

EricSilver · #17 07-19-2011, 04:51 PM

As of yet I still have not changed it -- and might not get the chance until this weekend.

Nonetheless, despite the hot weather in VA and the stop & go traffic of my daily commute with A/C on full blast, the detergent mix is doing an astoundingly good job of keeping coolant temps below 100. I am frankly amazed and will leave some soap in when I flush/refill the system.

EricSilver · #18 07-19-2011, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duke2.6

What is the point of using a "detergent"? It won't remove any mineral deposits or rust scale... sounds like snake oil to me.

It breaks the surface tension of water, apparently allowing it behave in a "wetter" manner. It also holds fine contaminants in suspension, rather than letting them settle.

An illustration I recall is pouring water onto dry soil and watching it bead and not be absorbed -- because surface tension prevented it. Soapy water, conversely, was absorbed straight away.

EricSilver · #19 07-19-2011, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gilly

You should be fine, I'd just do a water rinse (full refill and warmup), puke that out, and refill with bottled drinking water (the cheap gallon jug stuff) and the G05. NOT the deionized/demineralized/distilled stuff, just filtered drinking water
If you had bad accumulation of oil in the cooling system, I would have gotten commercially available "bilge" cleaner (for boats) and used that instead of soap.

Filtered water but not distilled? Was prepared to do distilled as usual, but will do filters if that is preferred.

There was some oil residue from a small leak last year, and I imagine it will take a long time to clean it all out. But before the next flush I will try the bilge cleaner.

EricSilver · #20 07-19-2011, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by compress ignite

Whatever form of VooDoo/HooDoo Juice you end up using; IT MUST BE COMPLETELY RINSED OUT OF THE COOLING SYSTEM.

No worries; LA Awesome is just a mild soap. Not even toxic. Just remarkably good at cutting grease.

Kestas · #21 07-19-2011, 10:28 PM

I still advise you of not doing it. You are enjoying the surfactant properties of the detergent, but unfortunately detergents have other properties as well. On is alkalinity, which will harm your system in the long term.

ps2cho · #22 07-19-2011, 11:12 PM

What about pump lubrication?

Kestas · #23 07-20-2011, 10:18 AM

Pump lubricants are simply water soluble oils. They won't hurt, but they're not all that beneficial either.

If you need a surfactant, I believe Water Wetter is the product.