How To Perform A Radiator Flush On Your Vehicle

At some point, you are going to need to replace the radiator coolant in your vehicle. This is because, over time, the cooling system can become clogged and it needs to be cleaned out in order to work and function properly again. Here's how to get started:

What You Need:

• Phillips Head Screwdriver
• Rag
• Flush Cleaning Solution
• New Coolant
• A Funnel
• Used Coolant Receptacle

How to Perform the Flush:

1. Drain the Radiator: First, you want to locate the drain plug, which you can find from the owner's manual if you do not already know where it is on your vehicle. Be sure that you place the used coolant receptacle underneath the drain so that it can catch the dirty coolant you will be draining. Once the coolant drains, be sure to recycle it right away so that if you have pets, they will not get ahold of it. Coolant is toxic for pets.

2. Add the Cleaning Solution: Once the old coolant has drained completely, you will want to replace the drain plug, and remove the cap to add the cleaning solution. Once you add the cleaning solution, you want to top it off with water and then replace and tighten the radiator cap. From here, you want to run your vehicle along with the heater for a few minutes.

3. Drain the Cleaning Solution: Once you have let your car run for a few minutes, and then let the engine cool down, you will want to open the drain plug and empty the cleaning solution into the used coolant receptacle.

4. Refill the Radiator with Coolant: Once the cleaning solution has drained completely, you will want to replace the drain plug once again, and remove the cap. Using a funnel, which will prevent any spilling, you will want to fill the radiator with the new coolant, which should be a solution of half coolant, and half water. You can always purchase the premixed kind from your local auto repair shop, which cuts down on the measuring part of creating the coolant solution.

Remember that before you get started on a radiator flush, you let your engine cool down completely. This is because hot coolant can cause serious damage to your skin if any were to get onto you. Also, once the radiator flush has been done, you want to check the next day to be sure that the solution is filled all the way to prevent any air bubbles.

To learn more, contact a company like Johnny Myers Discount Tires & Service Center with any questions or concerns you have.

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