How to Clean a Truck Radiator?
2 Answers
You can use a professional automotive radiator descaler. Simply pour the descaling agent into the vehicle's water circulation system, let it soak, idle cycle, or drive for 20 to 30 minutes, then drain the descaler from the radiator and system, and rinse thoroughly with water repeatedly. The following precautions should be taken when cleaning a truck radiator: 1. Note 1: It is best to use a dedicated radiator cleaner when cleaning the radiator. General cleaners cannot completely remove scale and acidic substances inside the water channels. Sometimes large pieces of scale may come off, but this can block the water channels, requiring the radiator to be removed for cleaning. If a high-quality strong cleaner is used, the scale will appear as powder suspended in the coolant and will not block the water channels in the engine. 2. Note 2: Vehicle owners should pay attention to reducing scale formation in daily use. It is important to use antifreeze, especially in summer. Never use ordinary water as a substitute for antifreeze, as antifreeze not only prevents freezing but also reduces the risk of the radiator boiling over. Using ordinary water not only fails to prevent boiling but also accelerates scale formation due to the minerals in the water.
I usually clean my truck's radiator by myself, especially since long-distance driving tends to cause scaling. First and foremost, wait until the engine has completely cooled down—safety first. Then, open the radiator drain valve to completely drain the old coolant, and remember to place a catch basin under the vehicle. Next, I prefer rinsing it twice with clean water, connecting a hose to the filler inlet and flushing until the water runs clear. The most crucial step is rust removal—I purchase a radiator-specific cleaner, mix it with water as per the instructions, pour it in, and let the engine idle for about 15 minutes to allow the cleaner to circulate and dissolve the scale. Finally, drain and thoroughly rinse again to ensure no cleaner residue remains. Once everything is done, refill with new coolant and check the hose connections for any leaks. The whole process takes about an hour, but regular cleaning helps prevent engine overheating and gives peace of mind when driving on highways.
