The radiator is an important part of the engine of most vehicles and helps maintain a normal engine temperature. When hot fluid from the engine block reaches the radiator through pipes, the hot fluid circulates through finned tubes in the radiator, cools, and re-enters the engine block. The radiator fan plays an important role in cooling this hot fluid.
But sometimes residue in old radiator coolant or water can block the vehicle’s radiator and coolant lines, causing the engine to overheat. For this reason, it is important to flush the vehicle’s cooling system from time to time. In this article, we will learn how to flush a radiator.
How To Flush A Radiator
To flush the radiator, first let the engine cool down, then drain the old coolant, fill the radiator cleaner, drain the radiator cleaner, use distilled water, fill a new coolant, fill the coolant reserve box, and finally the coolant leak Check out.
Precautions & Cautions
- Never drain the coolant from the engine of a moving vehicle. It gets very hot, which can harm you.
- Never open the radiator cap of a hot engine. Because a very hot pressurized gas is circulated inside the radiator from the engine heat.
- Whenever you open the radiator cap in a hot engine condition, So the liquid heated by the pressure inside the radiator can harm any part of your body.
- Keep coolant liquid out of reach of children and animals, birds.
- Wash your hands thoroughly after changing the coolant liquid.
- After changing the coolant and cleaning the radiator, check for coolant leakage thoroughly.
1. Drain Old Coolant
Now you have to open the radiator drain valve at the bottom to clean the radiator. You will need to place an empty plastic box or bucket at the bottom before opening the drain valve. so that the old coolant coming out of the radiator can be poured into it. All the old coolant in the vehicle’s engine will be emptied as soon as the radiator drain valve is opened. After this, close the drain valve of the radiator below.
2. Fill Radiator Cleaner
After this, open the cap on the top of the radiator and pour the radiator cleaner liquid into the radiator. After this, start the vehicle for 15 to 25 minutes. With the engine running, the radiator cleaner liquid will circulate throughout the engine’s coolant assembly line. And the coolant will clean away the rust and dirt that have accumulated on the assembly line.
In this process, keep the engine running until the needle of the temperature meter is halfway up. Because the thermostat valve will open only after the normal temperature. This will cause the radiator cleaner liquid to circulate throughout the coolant assembly line. Due to this, the complete cleaning of the radiator will be done well.
3. Remove Radiator Cleaner
Now turn off the engine. And leave the vehicle’s engine in the off position till it cools down. Because having an engine knife can cause the radiator cleaner liquid to overheat. Now, after the engine cools down, re-open the drain valve from the bottom of the radiator. The rust and dirt that have accumulated in the radiator will be flushed out with the cleaner liquid.
4. Use Distilled Water
After this, fill the radiator with at least 5 liters of distilled water from the top of the radiator and let it drain through the bottom drain valve. Through this process, the radiator and coolant assembly line will be cleaned properly. After this, finally close the radiator drain valve tightly.
5. Fill With A New Coolant
Now fill the coolant of any good company with water and fill it in the radiator. The radiator coolant and water ratio can be 40:60. Now start the engine again for 3 to 5 minutes. So that the level of coolant can be stable. Now turn off the engine. After this, fill the coolant in the radiator to the top level. And close the top cap of the radiator by tightening it.
6. Fill Coolant Reservior
Every vehicle engine has a separate coolant reservoir box at the top of the radiator. It is connected to the radiator through a plastic pipe. Fill this compartment with the coolant mixture as well. Because when the coolant in the radiator is low, the coolant mixture from this box reaches the radiator. This is a reserved box for coolant.
7. Check Coolant Leakage
Whenever you change the coolant or clean the radiator, you may need to loosen or completely open the radiator drain valve or hose pipe. It needs to be tightened carefully while filling a new coolant. After cleaning the radiator and filling it with the new coolant mixture, start the engine.
And see if there is any leakage in the coolant assembly line of the radiator. If you find any kind of leakage in any pipe or joint, tighten that pipe or joint valve well so that the coolant does not leak into the moving vehicle and the engine of the vehicle can be saved from heating up.
Radiator Flush Cost
The cost of flushing a radiator can also depend on your vehicle’s engine size and vehicle repair location.
The average cost to flush coolant from a radiator is anywhere from $100 to $200. The exact cost will usually depend on where you go (an independent mechanic will be cheaper than a dealership). Some less reputable shops may only charge between $50 and $100.
Typically, the cost of 4 gallons of coolant can range from $90 to $125. Accordingly, you can estimate the cost of coolant according to the type of coolant and your requirements.
Thereafter, the cost of coolant for your vehicle’s radiator depends on the size of your vehicle’s engine and the company and quantity of coolant. Accordingly, it has to be estimated, how much coolant will be required in the radiator of your vehicle’s engine.
FAQ’s
Q. Can I flush my radiator myself?
Yes, you can flush your vehicle’s radiator yourself. But it has to be done with great care. because a leak in the radiator can cause your vehicle’s engine to overheat. To flush the radiator, open the radiator cap when the engine is cool. Drain the old coolant by opening the drain valve at the bottom of the radiator. After this, fill the radiator cleaner fluid into the radiator by closing the drain valve and start the engine for 5 to 15 minutes. After this, flush the radiator again; now you can add new coolant.
Q. – What is the best thing to use to flush a radiator?
RADIATOR CLEANER – To flush the radiator properly, you can use a good company’s radiator cleaner fluid.
Q. How much should a radiator flush cost?
The cost of flushing a radiator can also depend on your vehicle’s engine size and vehicle repair location. and depends on the amount of coolant. Typically, the cost of flushing a radiator can range from $110 to $250.
