What is the method for cleaning a car radiator?
2 Answers
It is necessary to clean the car radiator cooling system once a year to maximize the lifespan of the car radiator. The method for cleaning a car radiator is as follows: 1. Ensure the engine is cool and turned off, then remove the radiator cap, making sure the engine is not hot. 2. Open the drain plug at the bottom of the radiator to allow the coolant to flow into a bucket. The coolant should be disposed of properly to avoid environmental harm. 3. Close the drain plug and fill the radiator with water. 4. Start the engine and turn on the heater control system (this will open the heater control valve), add the cooling system cleaner, and let the engine idle for 30 minutes (or follow the instructions on the cleaner bottle). 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, and let the engine idle for 5 minutes. Then refill with a 50/50 mixture of water and ethylene glycol antifreeze/coolant.
Last time I cleaned the radiator myself, first I had to wait for the engine to cool down completely—don't touch it when it's extremely hot. Then locate the drain valve at the bottom of the radiator and remember to place a basin underneath to catch the old coolant, as it's toxic and shouldn't be disposed of carelessly. After that, mix the specialized radiator cleaner with water in the correct ratio and pour it in. Start the engine and let it run for about ten minutes to allow the cleaning solution to circulate and flush through the pipes. Drain the dirty water and rinse repeatedly with clean water two or three times until the water runs clear. Finally, refill with new coolant to complete the process, and don't forget to check the radiator cap and hoses for any signs of aging while you're at it. If you find a large amount of scale buildup inside the radiator, it's recommended to take it to a professional shop for treatment, as DIY cleaning might not be thorough enough.
