HOW TO CLEAN THE RADIATOR OF YOUR CAR?
Car enthusiasts & car lovers pour their heart & soul into cleaning & maintaining their vehicles. Be it the exterior, the interior, or the engine compartment. Today we will be showing you how to clean car radiator. It is not a complex task but, it requires particular attention to detail. The job of the radiator is to lower the temperature of the engine coolant circuit. The coolant consists of a mixture of water and an anti-electro-protective substance. The proportion between the two liquids is usually 50-50%. Over time, this liquid gradually loses its antifreeze and anti-corrosion protection characteristics. To prevent this from causing damage to the cooling circuit and the engine itself, we recommend simple external and internal maintenance of the radiator.
Things you will need
WD-40® Fast Acting Degreaser
Brush with soft bristles
WD-40® Multi-Use Product
Car Jack
Container
Antifreeze
Step 1
General Visual Check
The first step is to clean the entire engine compartment. WD-40 Fast Acting Degreaser helps you tackle grease deposits quickly. It is ideal for dissolving sludge and various incrustations. Spray the solution and allow it to sit for a few minutes. Then use a cloth to wipe down and remove all the gunk & sludge.
Step 2
Check the Sleeves and Front Grille
Now let us move to the radiator! First, check the hose pipes entering and exiting the radiator and going to the expansion tank and engine, for leaks. Make sure that the relative clamps are tight. The front of the radiator has a grille that often accumulates debris & insects when air is sucked in the radiator to cool the hot water circulating within the radiator. Use a brush with soft bristles to clean the grille. You can use WD-40 Multi-use Product if you find any stubborn dirt & gunk deposits. Avoid using too much force with the brush as it can deform the blades.
Step 3
Emptying the radiator & cooling system
Emptying the radiator requires a few preparatory steps. First & foremost is to make sure that the engine is cold. Now locate the drain plug of the radiator, which is often located at the bottom of the engine. For convenience, we recommend lifting the car using a jack and then placing a large container under it. Loosen the pressure cap located at the top of the expansion tank. Then open the drain plug. It will allow the liquid to drain easily and you can collect it in the container. If there is no drain plug, disconnect the lower hose pipe of the radiator to empty its content.
We use the container to collect the discarded liquid for two reasons. First, it is hazardous & should be disposed off carefully. Secondly the level of impurities & dirt in the liquid will help you determine how many rounds of washing does your radiator require in order to be cleaned thoroughly.
Step 4
Washing the Radiator
After you empty the radiator, close the lower tap or reinsert the previously disconnected hose pipe and tighten the valves.
Now fill the cooling circuit with water by pouring it into the expansion tank. Close the cap of the tank and start the engine, leaving it to run at a minimum for a few minutes. After turning off the engine, allow it to cool down and then drain the liquid as explained in the above step. Repeat the process 2-3 times if you notice that the drained water is dirty.
Step 5
Filling with water & protective antifreeze
The last step is to fill the circuit. Choose the antifreeze as per your car type. Using one randomly can cause damage to the engine. For the correct mixing percentage (always with demineralized water), check the instructions on the product. With the engine cold, pour the liquid into the expansion tank until it reaches the marked level. Then close the cap and start the engine, letting it run for a few minutes. If the liquid level in the tray decreases, top it up. Don’t forget to fill the reservoir tank of the radiator once the expansion tank has been filled.
Conclusion
We hope this step-by-step process will prove handy when you decide to clean car radiator using WD-40 Products. Check out or other blogs on car maintenance & cleaning different areas.
Disclaimer
The uses shown and described for WD-40 Multi-Use Product were provided to WD-40 Company by the users themselves. These uses haven’t been tested by WD-40 Company and do not constitute a recommendation of suggestion for use by WD-40 Company. Common sense should be exercised whenever using WD-40 Company products. Always follow the instructions and take heed of any warnings printed on the packaging.
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