Cleaning Radiator Question

dsptech · 12-11-2004, 05:59 PM

I bought a used Black Ice Extreme 2 and I can see it has a white coating on the inside of the tubes.
I'm worried about using it this way and want to clean it out before I set up my water cooling rig.
I'd hate to put together a contaminated system on the first go.
I've read through the forums but it seems as though everybody has a pro and con about almost every suggestion.
The only thing I've read that most agree on is ketchup.
Since the Bix 2 is copper and brass, should I just fill it with ketchup?
I know it sounds nuts but I'm willing to do it.
Also, will I be able to recover the used ketchup for future BBQs?

redleader · 12-11-2004, 07:35 PM

Any mild acid should work. Ketchup is acidic, so you could use that. I'd probably just use Coke since its easier to clean out and more acidic though.

Brians256 · 12-11-2004, 10:56 PM

I use a combination of water and ammonia. Just don't use it for a long-term period because it etches the metal if left in too long. But it does clean oils and other deposits out very well. If you want acidic instead of the high pH (base) ammonia, use vinegar. Vinegar is cheaper than ketchup and much easier to clean up. For more effectiveness, heat either solution up (and then use good ventilation because of the stink).

dsptech · 12-12-2004, 01:00 AM

I filled my kitchen sink with warm water and dumped in an entire restaurant sized can of ketchup.
I pumped it through my BIX 2 for a couple of hours and then ran hot and cold tap water through it for twenty minuets to flush it out.

Should that do the trick or should I run something else through it before I finally install it?
It does smell a little like tom toe sauce still.

12-11-2004, 05:59 PM	#1
dsptech Cooling Neophyte Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: US Posts: 30	Cleaning Radiator Question I bought a used Black Ice Extreme 2 and I can see it has a white coating on the inside of the tubes. I'm worried about using it this way and want to clean it out before I set up my water cooling rig. I'd hate to put together a contaminated system on the first go. I've read through the forums but it seems as though everybody has a pro and con about almost every suggestion. The only thing I've read that most agree on is ketchup. Since the Bix 2 is copper and brass, should I just fill it with ketchup? I know it sounds nuts but I'm willing to do it. Also, will I be able to recover the used ketchup for future BBQs?

12-11-2004, 07:35 PM	#2
redleader Thermophile Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: The deserts of Tucson, Az Posts: 1,264	Any mild acid should work. Ketchup is acidic, so you could use that. I'd probably just use Coke since its easier to clean out and more acidic though.

12-11-2004, 10:56 PM	#3
Brians256 Pro/Staff Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Klamath Falls, OR Posts: 1,439	I use a combination of water and ammonia. Just don't use it for a long-term period because it etches the metal if left in too long. But it does clean oils and other deposits out very well. If you want acidic instead of the high pH (base) ammonia, use vinegar. Vinegar is cheaper than ketchup and much easier to clean up. For more effectiveness, heat either solution up (and then use good ventilation because of the stink).

12-12-2004, 01:00 AM	#4
dsptech Cooling Neophyte Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: US Posts: 30	I filled my kitchen sink with warm water and dumped in an entire restaurant sized can of ketchup. I pumped it through my BIX 2 for a couple of hours and then ran hot and cold tap water through it for twenty minuets to flush it out. Should that do the trick or should I run something else through it before I finally install it? It does smell a little like tom toe sauce still.

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