Do You Need to Start the Engine When Replacing Coolant?
1 Answers
Replacing coolant does not require starting the engine. Once the engine is running, the coolant circulates, creating pressure in the coolant lines. If coolant is replaced at this time, the pressure can cause it to spray out from the nozzle, leaving the car without proper cooling protection and potentially damaging the engine. Steps for replacing coolant: Before completely replacing the coolant, conduct a thorough inspection to check for any leaks or cracks in the pipes, with a particular focus on the five-way hose. The five-way hose gets its name from having five connections to different parts of the car. Coolant flows through this hose and is distributed to various parts of the vehicle to perform its function. If there are signs of coolant leakage in this area, replace the hose or reseal the connections as needed. Drain the old coolant, then flush the system with clean water. Add water to the coolant reservoir and continue filling until water flows continuously through the engine cooling system. Start the engine and let it idle for 3 to 5 minutes to circulate the water. Initially, the water draining from the reservoir may appear slightly pink. Continue flushing until clean water flows out. Remember to disconnect the heater hose to drain the water from the heater core. After about an hour of draining, add new coolant through the radiator hose to allow it to flow quickly into the radiator. Then, fill the coolant reservoir with another bottle of coolant until it is nearly full. Start the engine and let it run for about 10 minutes. As air is purged from the cooling system, the coolant level will drop. Top it off until it reaches the "MAXT" mark on the reservoir.
