How to Clean a Car Engine Radiator?
2 Answers
Methods for cleaning a car engine radiator: 1. Ensure the engine is cooled down and turned off; 2. Open the drain plug at the bottom of the radiator to let the coolant flow into a bucket, and dispose of the coolant properly to avoid environmental harm; 3. Close the drain plug and fill the radiator with water; 4. Turn on the engine and heater control system, add cooling system cleaner, and let the engine idle for 30 minutes; 5. Turn off the engine and let it cool for 5 minutes, then drain the liquid from the radiator; 6. Close the drain plug, fill the radiator with water, let the engine idle for 5 minutes, and then refill with a compound of 50% water and 50% glycol antifreeze.
Cleaning the engine radiator is actually quite simple, and I often do it at home. First, make sure the engine has cooled down because working on a hot engine can cause burns—don't risk opening the cap. Prepare a bucket of cleaning solution; I usually opt for a well-known brand of radiator-specific cleaner, which is affordable and effective. Pour it into the radiator, start the engine, and let the cooling system circulate for over ten minutes before shutting it off and draining the fluid. Be sure to completely flush out the old liquid, and when adding new coolant, mix it with water in the correct ratio—usually 1:1. The most time-consuming part of the process is the repeated flushing to prevent residue buildup. After cleaning, the radiator runs more smoothly, and the engine temperature stabilizes significantly. I clean it every two years to prevent internal rust or blockages, extending the engine's lifespan. It also improves fuel efficiency and reduces maintenance costs in daily driving.
