What methods can be used to remove rust from a car's radiator?
2 Answers
Methods for removing rust from a car radiator: 1. Manually remove the car radiator and use scraping or chiseling to eliminate rust; 2. Clean with a scale remover, but this may accelerate radiator aging and shorten its service life; 3. Directly pour a specialized scale remover into the car's water circulation system, let it soak, idle cycle, or drive for 20 to 30 minutes, then drain the radiator and system of the cleaning agent, and rinse thoroughly with water repeatedly. The radiator, also known as the coolant radiator, consists of an upper water chamber, a lower water chamber, cooling tube bands, and cooling fins outside the tube bands. The engine's water pump pushes hot water into the upper water chamber, which then cools through the tube bands before entering the lower water chamber and returning to the engine cycle.
Rust in the car radiator is indeed quite annoying. I've seen many vehicles end up needing major repairs due to rust affecting heat dissipation. I recommend using professional rust removers, such as the radiator cleaning fluids available on the market. When operating, first ensure the engine has cooled down, then open the drain plug at the bottom of the radiator to release all the old antifreeze. Next, add the rust remover and water according to the instructions, start the engine, and let it idle for 10-15 minutes to dissolve the rust deposits. After that, drain the dirty water and repeat the flushing process several times until clean water flows out. Finally, add new antifreeze to prevent rust. Don't forget to check if the radiator cap and hoses are aged to avoid rust recurrence. Using pure water instead of antifreeze is the main cause of rust, so sticking to a mixed solution for maintenance can save a lot of trouble. If you're not confident, it's best to have it handled by a professional shop—safety first.
