The process of periodic cleaning of pipes and components of the cooling system in the engine is called flushing. In fact, flushing the engine is the same necessary procedure as the timely replacement of oil and air filters. If you do not flush the cooling system in time, then during the next replacement of the coolant, scale and dirt that has accumulated on the tubes will get inside the valves. At the same time, during the operation of the car, all channels in the radiator and pipes will inevitably clog. As a result, the pump may need to be replaced and adjusted. In the worst case, you will have to change the entire cooling system.
How is the engine clogged?
Many of the car owners are faced with the following situation - the coolant that has just been poured into the engine gradually turns black. This is due to the fact that when filling, clean liquid passes through dirty radiator tubes, as a result of which it changes color and simultaneously clogs the remaining clean hoses and engine pipes. As a result, engine power drops to 10% and characteristic noise appears in the radiator.
At the same time, it must be understood that the radiator is contaminated not only with dust, but also with specific deposits. The composition and structure of these deposits depends on the coolant used by the driver. In 90% of cases, the cooling system is filled with:
- Water. And until now, individual motorists pour water directly into the radiator. During the summer months, this leads to the formation of scale on the pipes, which leads to clogging of the entire system. In winter, the water in the radiator turns into ice cubes, which makes the engine unusable.
- Antifreeze. Antifreeze effectively cools the engine (especially in winter), but at the same time, after 1-2 months, its gradual decomposition begins. The decomposition products enter the inside of the cooling system with the liquid and clog the pipes.
Reasons for insufficient engine cooling
- The appearance of extensive plaque on the inner surface of the walls of the highways and radiator pipes. Plaque on the tubes appears in the process of oxidation of the coolant under the influence of a constant temperature difference in the engine. Since the plaque that has appeared in the hoses has low thermal conductivity, the engine does not cool. The heat transfer between the engine and the fluid tubes is severely limited, and the heat simply does not pass through the resulting scale layer.
- Contamination of the internal pipes of the radiator with dust and small metal particles. When dust appears in the cooling system, heat exchange with the engine is completely disrupted. In turn, small metal particles will contribute to the rapid overheating of the engine.
- The appearance of an air lock inside the system. With the formation of an air lock in the tubes, the coolant cannot fully circulate through all the lines.
Advice: If you notice that the engine suddenly stalls at full speed, the problem is probably in the engine cooling system.
As a result, if you do not flush the cooling system with your own hands or in a car service, in a couple of years you will have to completely replace the engine.
How to properly flush the radiator?
Flushing the cooling system in the engine is carried out by the following methods:
- With distilled water;
- Using acidified water;
- Using special means for flushing cooling systems.
Advice: choose a specific radiator cleaner depending on the condition of the machine. If the tubes are all clogged with scale, and it doesn’t even help to bring it down, then use special solutions from the store.
When carrying out work with your own hands, a number of requirements must be observed:
- In winter, work should be carried out in a warm garage, and in summer - in the fresh air.
- Before starting work on cleaning pipes and hoses, all antifreeze must be drained.
- If the engine is still hot, it must be allowed to cool completely.
- The machine must be on a level surface.
- In order to protect your hands from contact with hot elements of the engine, be sure to wear protective gloves.
- Before draining the old antifreeze, be sure to install a small container under the radiator structure.
- Remove all drain plugs, and start draining the antifreeze first from the engine, and then drain it from the radiator.
Flushing the engine and radiator with distilled water
The most inexpensive, but at the same time effective method of flushing the system with a slight contamination of the tubes is distilled water. The whole process will consist of 3 stages:
- It is necessary to pour distilled water directly into the radiator housing.
- Next, you need to start the car and let it idle for 15-25 minutes.
- Then be sure to turn off the machine and drain all the water from the nozzles.
These steps will need to be repeated several times with an interval of 20-30 minutes. At the end of the work, the water in the cooling system must remain clean. Most often, distilled water is used to flush the engine in a recently purchased car or with minimal antifreeze contamination.
Flushing hoses and cooling pipes in the engine with acidified water
If you find traces of scale or decay and corrosion products in the previously drained coolant, then the water must be “acidified” to clean the system. To achieve this task, you will need to prepare a small amount of a slightly acidic aqueous solution with your own hands. The composition of the liquid includes samples:
- citric acid;
- lactic acid;
- Acetic essence;
- Caustic soda.
The flushing procedure consists of the following operations:
- We prepare a slightly acidic solution from the indicated ingredients and pour it into the cooling system.
- Start the engine and let it run for 15 minutes.
- Next, turn off the engine, and do not drain the fluid from the radiator. In order for all the scale to go away, the solution must be absorbed into the deposits (it takes several hours).
- We drain the solution of acidified water after 2-3 hours and repeat these operations again.
In total, it takes about 5-7 hours to flush the pipes and hoses. Upon completion of work, the rest of the acidified solution must be removed from the radiator by flushing with distilled water.
It is enough to spend a day on this procedure, and you will get rid of scale in the radiator for a long time. However, this method has its drawback - if you add too much acid, it will be absorbed not only into scale, but also into the hoses themselves. Subsequently, the acid will simply corrode the surface of the rubber and plastic components of the engine, and they will have to be completely replaced.
Advice: after flushing the cooling system with an acid solution, be sure to check i.
Flushing the radiator and engine with purchased products
Now modern products of the chemical industry can effectively eliminate any scale and pollution formed in the engine. As a rule, all purchased funds are conditionally divided into 4 types:
- Acid-based products;
- Alkaline and saline solutions;
- Two-component solution;
- Neutral cleaning agents.
Since scale and decomposed antifreeze products appear when the engine cools, the cooling system must be cleaned either only with an acid or only with alkalis. There is no universal cleaning agent, because acidic and alkaline solutions are neutralized with each other. That is why special purchased solutions are produced either on an acid or on an alkaline basis.
However, there is a so-called two-component flushing solution that acts on the cooling system in 2 stages: first, the engine and radiator are flushed with the first component, then with the second. In turn, neutral solutions are based on the work of catalysts and have a neutral pH. Most neutral radiator cleaners are produced by the factory as a kind of antifreeze additive or as a special coolant concentrate.
A feature of the use of special purchased solutions is the need to pour them into the tank once and not think about the state of the cooling system for 1000-2000 km. Such products wash all the above contaminants, while dissolving scale and sediment to colloidal states that do not contaminate the small radiator pipes and pipes on the engine.
Video: flushing the cooling system
Flushing the engine cooling system is one of the key procedures for keeping a car running, but most motorists often neglect this not too laborious process.
This can lead to disastrous consequences: the radiator device is subject not only to external pollution - it can also become clogged from the inside. Rust, grease and oil deposits, antifreeze decomposition products, scale formed when washing with non-distilled water - all this can cause pollution, and, as a result, a drop in radiator performance.
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Why and how often do you need to flush?
Radiator failure leads to engine failure and vehicle failure. Therefore, keeping the radiator clean will help both keep the engine in proper condition and avoid costly repairs or even replacements. This process may take some time, but it is not difficult. There is a sufficient amount of textual materials and videos on how to properly and safely carry it out.
Flushing with a complete replacement of antifreeze or other coolant is recommended to be done on average once every 2 years, adjusted for the make and manufacturer of the car, as well as its service life. This frequency helps prevent the accumulation of decomposition products of coolants and rust in the system.
Untimely flushing of the cooling system can lead to engine damage.
What can be washed?
Now there is a wide choice of cleaning agents. The most accessible of them is water. However, it is also the least suitable remedy. Due to the salts that are in the composition of the water in a dissolved state, scale may form after washing, which in the future will cause contamination and repeated cleaning. For this reason, it is worth using only distilled or, in extreme cases, boiled water.
Special flushing liquids
The range of cleaning liquids of various composition and concentration is quite extensive. Most of them allow you to qualitatively clean the engine cooling system. But the choice of means should also be taken seriously, since substances of different composition are needed to remove different types of dirt.
Cleaning products can be divided into 4 categories:
- Neutral - do not contain aggressive components, are less effective in cleaning the cooling system than other liquids, and they are most often used for preventive purposes.
- Acidic - almost never occur in pure form due to their extreme aggressiveness to the details of the system. Acidic flushing liquids are well suited for neutralizing scale and inorganic formations.
- Alkaline - like the previous category of substances, they are not found in an undiluted state. Effectively remove organic contaminants.
- Two-component- contain both acid and alkali. Consistently poured into the system and well cleaned it from all types of pollution.
Coolant racks It is better not to use two different products at the same time, since acid and alkali are neutralized when interacting, which may not only not bring the expected result, but also cause a malfunction. Also, do not use substances with a high concentration of acids or alkalis, as they can damage rubber and plastic parts.
Lemon acid
One of the popular "improvised" cleaning products is a solution of citric acid. With the right proportions, it copes well with scale inside the radiator and does not damage rubber components. The optimal ratio is considered to be 100 g of acid per 1 liter of water.
Citric acid can be replaced with whey. It contains a sufficient concentration of lactic acid for effective and gentle cleaning. Also, whey washing is more gentle on non-metallic parts of the radiator.
As is the case with formulations specifically designed for cleaning, the process itself is best carried out in several short steps - this will help to avoid breaking off large pieces of scale.
Flushing the OS with serum "Coca-Cola" and the consequences of such washing
Another common cleaner. Phosphoric acid, which is part of the drink, effectively removes scale from internal parts. However, such a tool should be used carefully, because in addition to the aforementioned acid, Coca-Cola also includes sugar, which can clog the system. Therefore, after using Coca-Cola, it is necessary to re-flush the system with water to remove the remaining sugar. The concentration of phosphoric acid has a negative effect on rubber and parts.
Another disadvantage of Coca-Cola as a washing liquid is the gas content. Expansion of gas due to heating during engine operation can lead to negative consequences for the car. Therefore, if you still decide to use Coca-Cola as a cleaning liquid or do not have the opportunity to use more suitable substances, you must get rid of the gas contained in it.
Coca-Cola for flushing the cooling system Keeping the engine cooling system clean is one of the important factors in the health of the car. To do this, a wide range of specialized cleaning fluids are available, which, with the right choice, will help maintain the optimal condition of this system, as well as all sorts of alternatives at hand. But when using the latter, you should be careful and resort to them in the absence of more suitable substances.
Video "Instructions for replacing the coolant and flushing the cooling system"
For more information on how to change the coolant and flush the engine cooling system, see our video on the example of a VAZ.
What washer do you use?
The engine cooling system allows the engine units to maintain operating condition for the maximum amount of time. Drivers are well aware that from time to time it is necessary to change antifreeze, which loses its properties in 2-3 years or 30-45 thousand kilometers. It provides not only a complete replacement of the coolant, but also topping it up if necessary.
At the same time, even maintaining the coolant level regularly at the required level, the cooling system can become unusable and lead to engine malfunctions. To avoid this, experienced car owners recommend flushing the engine cooling system every 2 years. This procedure is performed on a paid basis by specialists in the service, but it can be carried out independently. As part of the article, we will explain how to flush the engine cooling system with our own hands, including without the use of a special fluid.
The engine cooling system consists of a number of elements that must interact correctly with each other so that the coolant is supplied to the hottest parts of the engine during operation. The most vulnerable element of the cooling system are the hoses, which can become clogged or torn from excessive loads.
During the operation of the car, sand, stones, insects get under the hood, dust and other contaminants form on the engine. Some of the contaminants eventually end up in the cooling system, mixing with the coolant. This leads to the fact that scale forms on various metal structural elements, which eventually exfoliates and gets into the hoses. They become clogged, which reduces the efficiency of the cooling system or completely disables it.
If on the dashboard, the problem may lie not only in the lack of antifreeze, but also in the problem directly with the cooling system, which will be quite expensive to solve if one or more elements need to be replaced. To avoid this, it is recommended to flush the engine cooling system every 2 years.
In car repair services, engine flushing is carried out with special tools that can be bought at stores specialized in engine consumables. There are many similar means, but the most famous of them are Lavr and Motor Resurs. The cost of specialized tools for flushing the engine cooling system is extremely high, and many drivers use ordinary distilled water to clean the system of extraneous "garbage". This method is cheaper, but also much less effective, since water does not fight scale, but only cleans out accumulated microparticles.
If the question arises, how to flush the engine cooling system inexpensively and effectively, you can use a solution of citric acid or Coca-Cola. Both fluids do an excellent job of cleaning scale and other contaminants from the cooling system.
The process of flushing the cooling system is quite simple, and it consists of the following steps:
Thorough flushing of the cooling system is necessary to remove the formed deposits, dirt, corrosive elements and harmful impurities that can lead to a violation of the stability of the system. We strongly recommend that after flushing the cooling system, fill in new antifreeze, because in the old fluid, even if the car has not driven so many kilometers, there are particles of contaminants.
It is no secret that the acid environment allows you to overcome scale and rust, and it is advisable to use it to clean the cooling system. The most affordable way to create an acidic environment yourself in large volumes is to use a mixture of citric acid and water. The resulting solution allows you to get rid of contaminants in the engine cooling system.
Some features of flushing the cooling system with citric acid:
- To create a solution with severe contamination, it is recommended to use 1 kilogram of citric acid per 10 liters of water. If the pollution is moderate, the amount of citric acid per 10 liters can be reduced to 800 grams;
- After citric acid is poured into the cooling system, you need to drive a few kilometers by car (let the engine run for 10-15 minutes at medium speed without sudden accelerations), then leave the product for another 45 minutes;
- Before filling in new antifreeze, it is necessary to thoroughly clean the system of citric acid residues; for this, flushing the cooling system with water is repeated 3-4 times.
Citric acid performs just as well as many professional cooling system cleaners.
It has long been known that in everyday life the Coca-Cola drink can be used as a cleanser. The composition of soda contains various components that allow you to clean rust and dirt. Coca-cola can also be used to clean the engine cooling system.
Some features of flushing the engine cooling system with Coca-Cola:
- The engine running time on Coca-Cola should be minimal - 4-5 minutes, after which the engine should be turned off and the drink allowed to remain in the cooling system for another 30-35 minutes;
- Washing with water after Coca-Cola must be carried out more carefully than after other means, since elements of sugar can settle on the pipes of the cooling system.
It is worth noting that upon completion of cleaning the cooling system from contamination using Coca-Cola, it is recommended to start the engine with the radiator cap open after filling the antifreeze so that the remaining air bubbles come out. Next, turn off the engine and add coolant to the resulting additional space.
Flushing the vehicle cooling system is an important measure for the correct operation of the radiator and other parts of the complex. Proper care, which involves mandatory flushing of the engine, will eliminate costly repair measures.
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The best option is to drive the car to a service station. Professional mechanics are ready to successfully and correctly complete the task. Despite this, the procedure can be carried out independently.
Not all motorists understand the need for periodic cleaning of the cooling system. In most cases, antifreeze is poured into the radiator, believing that this is enough. Sooner or later, the condition of the vehicle emphasizes that a set of technical procedures is not enough.
Cleaning the engine cooling system can be external and internal:
- External cleaning measures can successfully get rid of the following types of debris: insects, dirt, sand. In mild cases, an ordinary water jet is sufficient for this, which will not be too strong. If you direct an excessive pressure of water, there is a risk of damage to the cells.
- Internal cleaning helps to remove scale, rust, engine oil, antifreeze decomposition products. Mandatory cleaning of the engine using special tools is provided.
Important! The radiator cap of the power unit must not be opened if the engine retains a high temperature. This is due to the following aspect: the liquid is under pressure. It may be thrown from the radiator, causing burns.
What causes pollution
What pollution annoys car engines and increases the risk of breakdown of the power unit:
- Water. Motorists who use water to fill the radiator are at risk of lime scale buildup. Dissolved salts in non-distilled water often interfere with the functionality of the motor.
- Initially, antifreeze, antifreeze do not lead to the appearance of scale. If, over time, the decomposition of antifreeze and the additives used occurs, there are serious risks for engines. The problem lies in the violation of thermal conductivity and the deterioration of the technical data of the motor.
- Foreign matter (engine oil components, dust) is another source of danger for any motor. Rinsing is also required in this case.
Interested in the best way to flush the engine cooling system, it is advisable to use special products designed specifically for these tasks.
Overview of special engine flushes
In the 21st century, manufacturers offer various special cleaning fluids that differ in composition and concentration of components. Most of the tools allow you to carry out high-quality cleaning. The choice requires a responsible approach.
- Neutral cleaners do not include aggressive ingredients. These products have a lower level of effectiveness, so preventive measures become the main task.
- Acidic agents are practically not used in their pure form. This is due to increased aggressiveness to the elements of the transport system. Acidic fluids are recommended to eliminate inorganic formations, scale.
- Alkaline liquids are found only in a dilute state. The main task is the effective elimination of organic contaminants.
- Two-component products contain acid and alkali, so the effectiveness is guaranteed when removing any contaminants. This product deserves the most attention.
When wondering which is the best agent to use for flushing the engine cooling system, it is advisable not to use two different agents at the same time, since the components do not enter into an optimal relationship. The use of incompatible fluids may not only not give the desired result, but also cause serious damage to the vehicle. Increased acidity or alkalinity is often detrimental to machines.
When choosing modern cleaning products for cars, it is advisable to make a worthy choice, taking into account existing requirements:
Many drivers know that water is used in the car's cooling system during the warm period of time, and antifreeze is used in the cold period. But very rarely they use purified treated water, being content only with tap water. But the quality of tap water is extremely low. And this means that the use of such water, at high temperatures, leads to the formation of deposits in the form of scale on the pipes and in the channels of the cooling system. Antifreeze, on the contrary, does not form scale, but has the ability to decompose, resulting in rust.
Possible consequences due to pollution
The importance of flushing the engine cooling system is obvious. Drivers who do not understand the importance of the system flushing process, the best transport for them will be horse-drawn.
One of the main elements of every car is the cooling system, especially if it is liquid. Violation of its work leads to irreversible consequences:
A warning! The malfunction of the cooling system largely depends on the contamination of the radiator and water passages in the cylinder block.
Efficient flushing methods
Effective ways to flush the water cooling system are:
- Washing with distilled water.
- Washing with boiled water.
- Washing with acidified water.
- The use of special tools.
Each washing method used depends on the degree of contamination.
Determining the degree of contamination
To determine the degree of contamination, antifreeze should be drained and if it contains rust particles, greasy stains, or the color of the liquid is dark or black, this indicates that the contamination of the system is high. In this case, it is necessary to choose a method of washing with acidified water or using special means.
Advice! If the color of the antifreeze has a lighter shade and the presence of particles is not observed, then boiled or purified (distilled) water can be used when washing.
Rinsing with boiled or distilled water
In the process of flushing the cooling system, harmful liquid may come into contact with the skin of the hands. To avoid this, rubber gloves must be used. Before flushing, it is necessary to drain the coolant, for this you need to open the hood of the car and remove the cover of the expansion tank. To drain the fluid from the engine, you need to unscrew the bolt on the cylinder block and open the tap on the radiator to empty it.
After a complete drain, everything must be returned to its original state: the plug on the cylinder block and the faucet on the radiator. After that - pour boiled or purified, treated water through the expansion tank and tighten the cap. We start the engine and let it run for up to 20 minutes. at low speeds.
Acidified water when flushing the cooling system
Citric acid
Tribasic carboxylic acid or in the common people is called citric acid. Often used as an additional component when flushing the cooling system. When the reaction of citric acid is formed, a high temperature of 70-90 degrees Celsius is required. When washing with citric acid, it is necessary to properly prepare the solution. This is necessary in order not to damage rubber products and metal.
To prepare the solution, the following proportions must be observed, they are optimal:
- 100-120 gr. dilute citric acid in 5 liters of water;
- 80-100 gr. dilute citric acid in 4 liters of water.
After, we make a complete drain of the cooling system, pour the prepared solution through the expansion tank. After that, we start the engine and bring the temperature of the cooling system fluid to 90 degrees Celsius.
When the required temperature is reached, the citric acid reaction process begins. The total running time of the car engine should be up to 40 minutes. After draining the washing solution, it is necessary to additionally rinse with boiled or distilled water to remove residual citric acid.
Washing with table vinegar
When flushing the cooling system with table vinegar, it is also necessary to follow the recommended proportions for preparing the solution.
For proper preparation, you need to dilute 500 ml of table vinegar in 10 liters of water. Pour the contents into the cooling system, start the engine and bring it to operating temperature. Upon reaching, turn off the engine and leave for at least 8 hours. After, we drain the liquid and evaluate the result, if the result is not good enough, it is necessary to repeat the procedure. At the end of the final flush, you need to additionally flush the system with distilled water.
Advice! When using pure acetic acid, be careful, it has a concentration of 70%.
Flushing the cooling system with lactic acid
This method gives a positive result, but with the correct preparation of the solution. One of the main problems with this method is that lactic acid is difficult to find. Many people find it on automotive forums where you can contact the relevant suppliers.
To flush the cooling system, lactic acid with a concentration of 6% is needed. Lactic acid concentrate is 36%. To achieve the required concentration, you need to proportionally dilute the concentrate in distilled water. When calculating, we get a ratio of 1:6, i.e. we dilute 1 kg of concentrate in 6 liters of water, while we get our required 6%.
With the prepared solution, at your discretion, you can do it in two ways:
- Pour the prepared solution into the cooling system and wait for a while until carbon dioxide ceases to be released. After that, it is necessary to drain the flushing liquid.
- With the solution filled in, drive a certain number of kilometers, after which you need to drain the waste liquid.
Some drivers prefer to drive with such a flushing solution for a day, then drain, look at the result and, if necessary, repeat the procedure.
An important point after such washing should be the neutralization of lactic acid residues by washing with distilled water. The engine must be running and remain in it for up to 20 minutes.
Using Coca-Cola to Flush the Cooling System
Strange as it may sound, but before Coca-Cola was used to flush the cooling system and gave a positive result. He depended on the phosphoric acid found in Coca-Cola. Currently, this acid is not used in the drink and the past cleaning effect should not be expected. But why not try? After all, Coca-Cola certainly will not harm the engine.
Washing with special products
The big advantage of this method is that special chemicals are aimed at performing effective cleaning of the cooling system.
In their manufacture and use, the fact that such products do not pose any harm to the engine is taken into account. In aluminum radiators, one means is used, and in copper others. There are also universal tools.
External cleaning of the radiator
If the cooling system has been cleaned from the inside, then external cleaning is also necessary. And not paying special attention to it is a big mistake. Your cooling system will not give you the desired effect if a lot of various debris has accumulated on the radiator grill in the form of: dust, fluff, dirt, etc.
Effective cleaning of the radiator requires a powerful supply of water or air flow. For this task, a Karcher sink will do just fine. When using it, you should not bring the hose very close, because the plates on the radiator can be damaged. Sometimes they use an ordinary home vacuum cleaner in conjunction with a brush.
After such a comprehensive cleaning of the cooling system, there is no need to worry about overheating and boiling of your engine.