Dirt happens. Not only to the outside of our cars, but to the inner workings as well—including radiators. As the radiator does its job keeping your car running at an appropriate temperature, it produces gunk and deposits that clog its insides over time. Eventually, it can clog your cooling system. That’s why you need regular radiator flushes.
A radiator flush does more than just change the radiator fluid. It empties out the old antifreeze, flushes it with a new cycle, and then replaces what’s flushed through with new antifreeze. It’s like a bath or a spring cleaning of your car’s cooling system. If you want to try your hand at a DIY radiator flush, we have some helpful tips below.
Draining the Radiator Is the First Step to Removing Gunk
When flushing the radiator, always ensure that the radiator is cold before you start. Nothin will reuin your day like a scalding bath in used antifreeze.The first step for a radiator flush is to get rid of the old radiator fluid. First, locate the radiator drain plug. For help in locating it, consult your owner’s manual or look your car up on the Internet. Make sure to put your drain pan underneath the radiator before you pull the plug. It can get messy fast.
And please note: pets are particularly attracted to the smell of antifreeze. Though it may smell intriguing, radiator fluid is absolutely poisonous to pets. Any amount can be fatal. Be sure to clean up all fluid and not leave a single drop.
Radiator Flush Part Two: Add the Special Flushing Solution
Once the old fluid has drained, replace the radiator plug. Make sure the engine is completely cool—not that you would ever start a car without radiator fluid—and remove the radiator cap. Add the flush solution, and then top the radiator off with water.
Once the radiator is properly filled with the flushing solution, replace the radiator cap and tighten it firmly. Start the car and let it warm up. After it is warm, turn the heater on high and let it idle for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, turn the car back off and let it cool down once again. If the radiator cap or metal on the radiator is still hot, it’s too hot to open. Go back in the house. You deserve a beer.
Draining the Solution Gets Rid of All of the Radiator Crud
Once the engine has cooled, open the drain again as you did in the first step and let the solution drain. With the combined quantity of the old coolant and the flushing solution, you will probably need a second drain container. Always recycle the coolant—many recycling centers, auto repair shops or auto parts stores will take used antifreeze. Never pour it on the ground—remember how poisonous it is to animals?
Final Step to A Clean Radiator: Refill with New Coolant
The last step is to refill your radiator with fresh coolant. Before adding, remember to replace the plug at the bottom. Like engine oil or brake fluid, always be sure to use the type and amount of coolant that is recommended by the manufacturer. Never mix coolant types either. Your radiator isn’t an ideal place to do a science experiment. Prepare a mixture of 50/50 ratio of antifreeze to water—ideally distilled water so there aren’t any extra minerals added Pour it in the radiator, making sure it is at the fill line indicated—consult your manual for more information and measurements. After you tighten all the caps, you’ve just completed a radiator flush. That’s one scheduled maintenance chore to scratch off your list.
Sound Boring? Call Your Favorite Car Mechanic for a FlushThough you only need a few tools to take care of a radiator flush at home, it still takes a bunch of time to wait for your radiator to cool so you can drain it and out the final antifreeze mix in. And then when you are finished you have to take the old antifreeze and the flushing solution mixture to be properly disposed of. At that point it might just be worth it to take it to an auto repair mechanic. Your car repair garage can get it taken care of for you so you can have more time for what really matters. Like not accidentally pouring used radiator coolant all over your garage floor.
