What is the usual method for cleaning a car radiator?
2 Answers
Here are the usual methods for cleaning a car radiator: 1. Park the vehicle and turn off the engine. Wait for the coolant temperature to drop, then open the reservoir and add radiator cleaner. 2. Start the engine and let it run until the cooling fan operates, then continue for another five to ten minutes. 3. Turn off the engine and remove the front bumper of the vehicle. 4. After the coolant has completely cooled, drain the radiator cleaner along with the coolant. 5. Replace with new engine coolant. Below is additional information on car radiator cleaning methods: 1. Use radiator cleaner to remove scale. Ordinary cleaners cannot completely remove scale and acidic substances from the water channels. High-quality strong cleaners will turn the scale into a powdery suspension in the coolant, preventing blockages in the engine's water channels. 2. Manual cleaning method. Remove the car radiator and manually scrape, hammer, or chisel to remove scale. 3. Professional car radiator descaler. Pour a specialized descaling agent directly into the car's water circulation system, let it soak, circulate quickly, or drive for 20-30 minutes. Then drain the descaling agent from the radiator and system, rinse thoroughly with water. This effectively removes scale, rust, sludge, and other harmful substances from the engine's water circulation system.
I've been repairing cars for twenty years, and radiator cleaning is actually quite particular. You have to wait until the engine cools down completely before starting. First, remove the radiator cap and use a soft brush to clean leaves and dust. Remember, never use a high-pressure water gun to directly blast the fins; instead, use medium-pressure water at an angle to avoid damaging them. The key to internal descaling is choosing a specialized cleaning agent. I usually pour it into the cooling system and let the engine idle for half an hour before draining it. Finally, you must flush the cooling lines three or four times to prevent residual cleaning agent from corroding metal parts. If you find oil stains on the fins, you'll also need to dilute a neutral detergent and gently scrub them. Honestly, doing a thorough cleaning like this every two years is much more reliable than dealing with an overheated engine on the road.
