How to flush the cooling system

Flushing the cooling system is part of every vehicle's scheduled maintenance. This procedure is usually required every two to four years, depending on the vehicle. It is important to carry out this maintenance according to the schedule…

Flushing the cooling system is part of every vehicle's scheduled maintenance. This procedure is usually required every two to four years, depending on the vehicle.

It is important to perform this maintenance at the scheduled time because the radiator plays a big role in keeping your car's engine cool. Lack of engine cooling can lead to engine overheating and costly repairs.

Flushing the radiator and cooling system is a simple procedure that you can do at home with a little patience and some basic knowledge.

However, it should be noted that if your vehicle is leaking coolant or if you find the engine is overheating, flushing the radiator is not recommended. The cooling system should not be flushed if it is not working properly to begin with.

Part 1 of 1: Flush the cooling system

Necessary materials

• cat waste
• Distilled water, about 3-5 gallons
• Pallet
• XNUMX liter buckets with lids
• Jack
• Rubber gloves
• Pliers
• Pre-mixed coolant for your vehicle, about 1-2 gallons
• rags
• Safety glasses
• Safety jack x2
• screwdriver

• Socket and ratchet

• Attention: Always start flushing the cooling system with a cold vehicle. This means the vehicle has not been used for some time to allow everything in the engine to cool down.

• A warning: Do not open the cooling system while the vehicle is hot, serious injury may result. Allow the vehicle to sit for at least two hours to allow it to cool sufficiently for safe operation.

Step 1: Find a heatsink. Open the hood of the car and find the radiator in the engine compartment.

Step 2: Access the spout. Locate the bottom of the radiator where you will find the drain pipe or faucet.

It may be necessary to remove all splash guards to gain access to the bottom of the radiator and faucet. To do this, you can use a tool, such as a screwdriver.

• Functions: It may also be necessary to raise the front of the vehicle so that there is enough room to access the hose or valve on the radiator from under the vehicle. Use the jack to raise the vehicle and use the jack stands to secure it for easy access.

Please refer to your vehicle owner's manual for instructions on how to properly and safely lift your vehicle.

Step 3: Loosen the drain pipe. Place a pallet or bucket under the vehicle before opening a drain or tap.

If you can't loosen this part by hand, use a pair of pliers to help you out.

Once this is done, proceed to remove the radiator cap. This will allow the coolant to drain faster into the drain pan.

Step 4: Drain the coolant. Allow all coolant to drain into a drain pan or bucket.

• Functions: Be careful not to drip coolant on the ground as it is toxic to the environment. If you spilled coolant, put some cat litter on the spill. The cat litter will absorb the coolant and can later be dusted off and bagged for proper and safe disposal.

Step 5: Fill with distilled water. When all the coolant is drained, close the tap and fill the cooling system with clean distilled water.

Replace the radiator cap, start the engine and let it run for about 5 minutes.

Step 6: Check System Pressure. Turn off the car. Compress the upper radiator hose to determine if the system is pressurized.

• A warning: Do not open the cap if the radiator hose is pressurized and hard. If in doubt, wait 15-20 minutes between starting the car and opening the lid.

Step 7: Drain the distilled water. Open the faucet again, then the radiator cap and let the water drain from the cooling system into the drain pan.

Repeat this process 2-3 times to remove old coolant from the cooling system.

Step 8: Dispose of the old coolant. Pour out the used coolant and drain the drain into a XNUMX-gallon pail with a secure lid and take it to a recycling center for safe disposal.

Step 9: Fill with coolant. Take the coolant specified for your vehicle and fill the cooling system. Remove the radiator cap and start the car.

• Functions: The type of coolant depends on the manufacturer. Older vehicles may use the typical green coolant, but newer vehicles have coolants designed specifically for their engine design.

• A warning: Never mix different types of coolants. Mixing coolant can damage the seals inside the cooling system.

Step 10: Circulate fresh coolant through the system. Return to the vehicle interior and turn the heater on high to circulate fresh coolant throughout the cooling system.

You can also start your car idling at 1500 rpm for a few minutes by pressing the gas pedal while parked or in neutral. This allows the vehicle to reach normal operating temperature more quickly.

Step 11: Remove air from the system. As the car warms up, air will escape from the cooling system and through the radiator cap.

Watch the temperature gauge on the dashboard to make sure the car is not overheating. If the temperature starts to rise, turn off the car and let it cool down; it is likely that the air pocket is trying to find a way out. After it cools down, start the car again and continue to bleed air from the cooling system.

When all the air is out, the heater will blow hard and hot. When you touch the lower and upper radiator pipes, they will have the same temperature. The cooling fan will turn on, indicating that the thermostat has opened and the vehicle has warmed up to operating temperature.

Step 12: Add Coolant. When you are sure all air has been expelled from the system, add coolant to the radiator and close the radiator cap.

Reinstall all mudguards, lower vehicle off jack, clean all materials and test drive. Doing a test drive will help you make sure the car is not overheating.

• Functions: The next morning, before starting the engine, check the coolant level in the radiator. Sometimes there can still be air in the system and it will find its way to the top of the radiator overnight. Just add coolant if needed and you're done.

Car manufacturers recommend flushing the radiator at least once every two years or every 40,000-60,000 miles. Make sure you flush your car's radiator at the recommended intervals to prevent it from overheating and maintain an efficient radiator system.

Overheating can cause serious and costly damage, such as a blown head gasket (which usually requires a complete engine replacement) or warped cylinders. If you suspect your engine is overheating, have your vehicle checked by a certified mechanic such as AvtoTachki.

Properly flushing the radiator helps keep it clean and prevents the buildup of dirt and deposits. By performing this scheduled maintenance procedure, you can help keep your vehicle's radiator in top working condition.