How to Flush Your Car’s Engine Cooling System

Your car’s engine cooling system is responsible for keeping your engine from overheating. It does this by circulating coolant through the engine, which absorbs heat and then dissipates it through the radiator. Over time, however, coolant can become contaminated with dirt, debris, and rust, which can reduce its ability to cool the engine. Flushing the cooling system is a simple and inexpensive way to remove these contaminants and keep your engine running cool.

Tools and Materials You’ll Need

New coolant
Distilled water
Garden hose
Bucket
Rags
Wrench

Step-by-Step Instructions

Safety first! Park your car on a level surface and allow the engine to cool completely. This will help prevent burns.
Locate the radiator cap. It’s usually located on the top of the radiator, and it will have a symbol of a radiator on it.
Carefully remove the radiator cap. Be careful not to spill any coolant, as it can be harmful to your skin and eyes.
Connect the garden hose to the radiator cap and turn on the water. Allow the water to run through the radiator until it comes out clear. This will help flush out any dirt, debris, or rust from the radiator.
Once the water is running clear, turn off the water and disconnect the garden hose. Replace the radiator cap.
Locate the drain plug on the bottom of the radiator. It’s usually a small, plastic plug with a slot for a wrench.
Place the bucket under the drain plug and open the plug using the wrench. Allow the coolant to drain out of the radiator into the bucket.
Once the coolant has drained out, close the drain plug and tighten it using the wrench.
Fill the radiator with distilled water. Distilled water is important because it doesn’t contain any minerals that can damage the cooling system.
Start the engine and let it idle for a few minutes. This will help circulate the distilled water through the cooling system.
Turn off the engine and allow it to cool down. Then, check the coolant level in the radiator and add more distilled water if necessary.
Repeat steps 5-10 until the water that comes out of the radiator is clear. This will ensure that all of the old coolant has been flushed out of the system.
Once the water is running clear, add the new coolant to the radiator. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the proper mixture of coolant and water.
Replace the radiator cap and tighten it using the wrench.
Start the engine and let it idle for a few minutes. This will help circulate the new coolant through the cooling system.
Check for any leaks in the cooling system. If you see any leaks, tighten the clamps or hoses as necessary.

Tips

Flush your car’s cooling system every 2 years or 30,000 miles, whichever comes first.
Use the correct type of coolant for your car. Check your owner’s manual for the recommended type.
Never flush your car’s cooling system with tap water. Tap water contains minerals that can damage the cooling system.
If you’re not comfortable flushing your car’s cooling system yourself, you can take it to a mechanic and have them do it for you.

Conclusion

Flushing your car’s engine cooling system is a simple and inexpensive way to keep your engine running cool and prevent overheating. By following the steps in this article, you can easily flush your cooling system yourself and save yourself the cost of a mechanic.