How to flush a car radiator
Radiator Cap
Keeping up with regular car maintenance is important for safety and for longevity of your car. Flushing a car radiator is one of the critical maintenance jobs you should not ignore. Over time deposits can build up and create blockages in the cooling system. Flushing the radiator is a fairly simple job to do it yourself.
How do you flush a Radiator?
First you need to gather all items you will need to do the job including a Phillips screwdriver or a wrench, a rag, a container of radiator flush solution, funnel, coolant and a container to place the used coolant.
1. Park your car on flat surface and make sure engine is not hot before you start.
2. Drain old coolant from the radiator
Find the drain plug typically located somewhere on the bottom of the radiator - check owners manual as needed
Place container to drain the coolant directly underneath the drain plug.
Open/unscrew the drain plug - this is where you need either the Phillips screwdriver or a wrench or it may be a petcock drain valve.
Empty the radiator completely.
Make sure no coolant is spilled and don't leave any laying around because it is very dangerous to pets.
Re-install the drain plug.
3. Open and remove radiator cap on top of the radiator
4. Pour in the radiator flush solution - into the radiator
5. Top off the radiator with water as needed.
6. Put the radiator cap back on and tighten.
7. Start the car and let it run until it's at the car's typical temperature when running.
8. Turn the heater on to the hottest setting and turn the fan on and keep your car running with this setting for at least 10 minutes.
9. Turn the car off.
10. Wait until engine is cooled off. Important! The cooling system is extremely hot! Do not touch until it has completely cooled off. This may take at least 1 hour.
11. Drain all of the flush solution inside the radiator, following step #2 above.
12. Fill the radiator with new coolant. Use a funnel to pour the coolant into the radiator.
13. Make sure all caps, screw, bolts, valve are securely tightened
14. Start the car and let it run.
15. Check for any leaks.
16. Monitor the coolant lever for the next few days.
Coolant Overflow Tank
When you first drain the old coolant, look for the color of the coolant coming out. If it is dirty maybe even rusty, that means there are some built up inside the radiator.
If you do not feel comfortable flushing the radiator you can always take it to a mechanic and have them do it for you. Check your owner's manual for recommendations on the frequency of your radiator flush. Proper maintenance of your radiator and the coolant will help prevent breakdowns.
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