Guide to Flushing a Radiator - By: Tauqeer Hassan

A car radiator acts like a cooling system. It must be cleaned and should be free from obstacles to function effectively. Motorists often overlook radiators until something bad happens, this is the reason radiator problems are the most common causes of breakdowns.

Here is how a guide to flush a car’s radiator, follow the simple and easy directions.

Directions
1. The car should be parked on a flat surface with the engine turned off and the heater switch turned on. The engine should be covered to protect from splashes.
2. Remove the radiator car. Turn the tap at radiator’s bottom to allow the water to exit. The upper and lower radiator hoses should be disconnected.
3. The hoses should be inspected. Replace them it they are soggy or brittle.
4. The old liquid that emerges from the radiator should be checked. If it is clean than it is good and if it is dirty with rust, the system would need a special flushing.
5. The water hose has to be placed on top of the radiator and gently let it flush for some time until the water runs clean.
6. The hose has to be placed in the reverse flush and bottom radiator outlet. Then it has to be flushed from top again.
7. Remove deposits by flushing through the engine’s cooling jacket.
8. Use can of radiator flush for a very dirty radiator.
9. Close the radiator when the flushing has completed, refit the hoses and fill the radiator with coolant.
10. Check the condition of the radiator cap before replacing it. Put a new cap if the old one is rusted.
11. Start the engine and let it run while checking the leaks.
12. Take a test drive to check if the coolant system is working properly.
13. Once the engine cools down, check the coolant level to know if it further needs topping up.

Additional Information
With the passage of time, sludge and deposit may accumulate in the radiator causing lower cooling efficiency and life span. Rust from corroded radiator wall may block the fins causing the water pump to work exceeding it limits therefore making it vulnerable to failure.

Tips
- If a radiator leaks, the best option is to take it to a mechanic for repairs or get an exchange unit.
- A radiator and cooling system should be ideally flushed out after every six months. This will help to prevent blockages
- If the radiator has a leak, buy a leak sealer can. Put this in the coolant, although it is only a temporary measure for small leaks.
- The non-sealed radiator should be regularly checked and cleared of leaves.

This simple DIY saves you costly radiator repairs which you might incur in the future. Just head over to the local hardware shop and grab a couple of handy tools.

About the Author

You might also want to learn brake system repairs and also how to flush a radiator.

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