How to Clean a Car Engine Radiator?
3 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.
After driving for so many years, I've learned that cleaning the radiator is a skill that comes with experience. Usually, doing it yourself saves time and money, but you need to be careful. The general steps are: completely drain the old coolant, replace it with a mixture of cleaning solution and water, start the car and let it run for about 15 minutes, then turn it off and drain it. Rinse several times to ensure it's clean, then replace with new coolant. The key is choosing the right cleaning agent—I prefer neutral pH to avoid damaging the pipes. Also, check if the radiator cap and hoses are well-sealed; replace them if they're aged. Regular cleaning like this effectively removes rust and scale, preventing overheating issues. After each cleaning, my car runs quieter and has fewer minor problems. I recommend combining it with seasonal maintenance—spring and autumn are the best times.
