I've an Astra header tank that I intend to fit to my car over the next week or so. It was filthy when I got it, so I gave it the usual bath in Arial, which got most of the grot off.
Trouble is, there's a brownish coating inside that won't shift - the Arial didn't get it, I've tried descaler, citric acid and Calgon. I haven't got a dishwasher, so that option's out.
Anyone suggest anything else? I don't want to despoil my nice clean engine bay with a grotty header tank!

David

I tried all sorts of chemicals on mine , in the end I pushed a piece of cloth in and pushed it around with a screwdriver or something.

Worked quite well.

Yep, same as dave but with a bit of ariel in it as well

Jason

Try using some dry course sand and give it a really good shake.

Clive

Hot water and vinegar, let it stand for a while, added a table spoon of brown rice and gave it a damn good shaking.
It did need the cloth and screwdriver treatment in the corners, here's what it looks like now
Rescued attachment Expansion_Tank_2a.jpg

I didn't even get as advanced as cloth and screwdriver. I used a..... stick!

I tell you, it's like a Formula 1 workshop in my garage at times!

James

Sounds like a Locost lunch!!

Is that an Astra header tank in Wicket's piccy ?

looks like a good solution to yet another problem i didn't realise I had!

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Originally posted by DaveFJ
Is that an Astra header tank in Wicket's piccy ?

looks like a good solution to yet another problem i didn't realise I had!

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Rover 200/400 range.

I have one of these - it's "Plan B" if I can't get the Astra tank to fit where I want...
The long legs are a pain to fit - they're too long for fitting in front of my scuttle firewall - but they're easily cut if necessary.

David

Sounds like a case for Cilit Bang !!!!!!!!!


Try a solution of either phosphoric acid (pink rust remover) or borasic acid (boiled up Rhubarb leaves)

seem to remember someone putting clean gravel in there with washing powder and giving it a good shaking.

might be worth a go.

Rover SD1 header tank is a nice size too.

Some have used the dishwasher............mmmmmm at your own risk of having swimbo banish you from the house.

Tricky... haven't got one!

Put a small amount in the tank then seal the holes. rotate it every 15mins and rinse out! :-)

for how long?

(really wanted to write at what speed but you've told us 4rph - revs per hour)

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Originally posted by britishtrident
Sounds like a case for Clit Bang !!!!!!!!!

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Originally posted by colmaccoll
seem to remember someone putting clean gravel in there with washing powder and giving it a good shaking.

might be worth a go.

Rover SD1 header tank is a nice size too.

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Have used dishwasher powder with good results in the past, also dry sand .Rhubarb leaves sound interesting but where do you get then in the middle of winter?

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Originally posted by britishtrident
Sounds like a case for Cilit Bang !!!!!!!!!


Try a solution of either phosphoric acid (pink rust remover) or borasic acid (boiled up Rhubarb leaves)

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Originally posted by David Jenkins
Tricky... haven't got one!

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if you ever put barrs leaks or radweld in the system, it will end up back at that colour anyway!

atb

steve

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Originally posted by rusty nuts
Have used dishwasher powder with good results in the past, also dry sand .Rhubarb leaves sound interesting but where do you get then in the middle of winter?

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Originally posted by Mark Allanson

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Originally posted by britishtrident
Sounds like a case for Cilit Bang !!!!!!!!!


Try a solution of either phosphoric acid (pink rust remover) or borasic acid (boiled up Rhubarb leaves)

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Like I said yesterday, boracic acid comes from volcanoes, oxalic acid comes from rhubarb!!

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Well, a stick and bits of EBG* got rid of nearly all of it, and now it's back in some Arial washing powder for 24 hours or so. Looking a lot better!

cheers,
David

* EBG = Elephant's Bog Roll (a.k.a. blue workshop paper towels)