Flush and Fill or Back Flush ?

[nicks84]

I am goin to do a flush and fill or a backflush. Not decided yet. But I had a quick question before deciding. The cooling system is VERY nasty. White sludge and just plain nastiness. I bought a bottle of cleaner for it. Would it have to say on the bottle if it is aluminum safe, or shoudl I assume it is if the bottle does not specify it isn't ?

I have read a few of these procedures as far as the time and methods go. I was wondering if a simple drain and refill (even if for 15 - 20 mins) will clean out the system if it is really dirty. Or do I want to put a bottle of cleaner in there to de-gunk the really stuborn particulates, etc. . ? Any other time I have ever done this, I have used a cleaner, even if I did not need it . . . maybe that is stupid, but I thought, its cheap and I cant hurt anything, only help, or so I assume.


At the moment, Im looking towards running a cleaner through, then flushing it out for 15-20 mins, drain, then refill with coolant. I was not goin to put the tabs in, unless there is a need for them. Any ideas or opinions welcome.