The Mitsubishi Pajero Owners Club®

Bago

Hello All,

Just drained the fluid out the rad and block today, added a flush chemical, then topped up system with distilled water. Started the truck up, and white foam instantly bubbled from the top of the rad.

I let the truck get to operating temp (it doesn't overheat), drained the system, let it all cool down, then filled with distilled water only. Started truck, white foam again! Lots of tiny, tiny minute bubbles that seem water soluble, so no oil in the foam.

Let truck idle with the front raised, foam doesn't stop.

Gonna re-flush again in the morning and then fill with antifreeze/distilled water mix.

If foam doesn't stop, do you think it's a blown head?

Truck doesn't overheat, oil looks perfect, no oil in coolant and the old coolant came out crystal clear. no crud, just its clear blue colour as it was when i did it two years ago.

Truck has sat idle for a year, garaged, with monthly start ups to operating temp and monthly drives.

Your thoughts are most welcome!

Cheers
Ian

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NDZ · Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2020 18:19 Post subject:

Just a guess - does the flush actually foam in use? There's bound to be some air left in the system and I wondered if foaming was part of the process.

Bago · Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2020 18:30 Post subject:

Was wondering that myself! It's a different flush than i used last time. But I've rinsed the flush and its a fresh batch of distilled water in there now.

I'll flush again in the morning and see what happens.

Does seem strange though. I know these trucks are prone to cracking heads! Just weird there is no other symptoms of a bad head!

peteinchad · Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2020 18:39 Post subject:

It will be the detergent in the flush chemical - keep flushing it out with fresh water until it goes.

Holts RadFlush is quite foamy and takes quite a bit of water to get rid of the foam.

Bago · Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2020 18:41 Post subject:

Thanks Pete! Will keep flushing tomorrow and hope all bubbles go!!

peteinchad · Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2020 21:04 Post subject:

Did you remove the block drain bolt near the oil filter ?

The flushing chemical will take ages to remove if you didn't drain the block.

Bago · Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2020 9:38 Post subject:

Yup, always remove the drain plug on the block.

Gonna go out and get back on it soon!

Bago · Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2020 17:47 Post subject:

You were right Pete! 4 flushes and no more bubbles!

Gonna give it one final one in the morning then add the blue stuff

Cheers
Ian

peteinchad · Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2020 19:55 Post subject:

Yep - mine was the same when I used Holts RadFlush.

I'm glad you're sorted now.

Mark3 · Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2020 21:58 Post subject:

How did you refill the cooling system?

Bago · Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2020 22:18 Post subject:

Into the radiator, slowly. Then front end raised up slightly to bleed. Left expansion cap on, that right?

Mark3 · Posted: Thu Dec 31, 2020 13:13 Post subject:

If done correctly there is absolutely no need to raise the front of the vehicle to fill without air locks, its an old wife's tail that someone posted years ago and its got out of hand and now people actually think its correct Shocked

its basically rubbish, i refilled well over 10,000 engines in my 40 years as a professional mechanic and never needed to do this, ever.

What engine do you have? (there are 2 listed in your signature)

Bago · Posted: Thu Dec 31, 2020 13:54 Post subject:

Hi Mark, it’s the 4m40

Mark3 · Posted: Thu Dec 31, 2020 14:15 Post subject:

Mark3 · Posted: Thu Dec 31, 2020 14:17 Post subject:

Oh and there is no need to do it slowly either, just pour it in until it spills then refit the hose to the rad and carry on topping up the rad Very Happy