How to Clean Scale in a Car Radiator?
2 Answers
Cleaning scale in a car radiator involves the following steps: 1. Park the vehicle and turn off the engine. Once the coolant temperature has dropped, open the expansion tank and add radiator cleaner. 2. Start the engine and let it idle for 5 to 10 minutes after the cooling fan activates. 3. Turn off the engine and remove the front bumper. 4. Once the coolant has completely cooled, drain the radiator cleaner along with the coolant. 5. Replace with fresh engine coolant. The radiator is a key component in the car's cooling system, serving two main functions: 1. It absorbs heat from the engine block to prevent overheating. 2. It uses water as a heat transfer medium in the cooling circuit, dissipating heat through large cooling fins via convection to maintain the engine's optimal operating temperature.
DIY cleaning scale deposits from your car's radiator is actually quite simple. I tried it myself recently and saved the cost of a mechanic visit. The scale mainly comes from mineral deposits in tap water that accumulate over time, clogging the cooling fins and causing engine overheating. The steps are: first, make sure the engine is off and fully cooled to avoid burns. Then locate the drain valve at the bottom of the radiator, unscrew it to drain the old coolant - this stuff is toxic, so always wear gloves when handling. Next, pour in a dedicated radiator cleaner (I used an acidic cleaner bought from the market), start the engine and let the cleaner circulate through the system for about ten minutes. After this, begin flushing - I connected a garden hose to slowly rinse the radiator interior, repeating several times until the water runs clear. Finally, refill with fresh antifreeze and you're done - the whole process takes about two hours. I recommend doing this annually; it not only removes scale but also extends engine life. Using soft water instead of hard water for coolant helps prevent scale buildup in daily use.