post head gasket cooling/oil internals cleanup

[clean525i]

what do you guys recommend for cleaning the oil out of the internals, i.e. radiator, pipes and block walls post head gasket swap? alternately, cleaning coolant out of the oil passages?

this is all post head gasket change, of course.

i have not yet reassembled the motor, so if you have recommendations on disassembled cleanup, i'll hear that as well.


oh, and a seperate question, do any of you use a gasket sealer on the new headgasket? i used it last time with the copper spray at the direction of a BMW mechanic/reseller, and it seems that's why i'm doing it again so soon.

input is most appreciated.

[russiankid]

I wouldn't use any sealer on the head gasket. Copper spray, from what I know and have read, is like a band aid. If the deck surfaces are machine perfect, the gasket will seal without any problems. As for cleaning out the oil passages. I have heard, at least for the oil passages, that a little bit of ATF fluid in the oil will clean it out. However, don't take my word for it as I have only heard it works.

[strad]

A properly flat block surface and head surface will mate up just fine with a bare head gasket. No sealers should go in there.

BMW recommends something called Solvethane to clean out an oil-contaminated radiator -- it's nasty stuff. Not sure about the rest of the cooling system though.

[Binjammin]

A little powdered dishwasher detergent. Mix it with water, fill your cooling system with that, let it run for an hour or so, then drain it all out. Flush with water, drain, then fill with appropriate water and coolant mixture.

[clean525i]

thanks guys! that wraps up the questions.. appreciate the fast replies!

[stoney85]

yeah, just drain the oil system too and fill her up along with a new filter

i then change the oil in 500-1,000kms once it's all had a good few warm ups and is settled in place

but Binjammin has the right idea for the cooling system

[rbhanks]

we use dish washining soap in the simi tucks whem they bow a head gasket to clean the oil out of the cooling system.