How to wash the stove in a car without removing it. How to rinse the stove radiator with your own hands? Cleaning with hydrochloric acid solution

How to wash the stove in a car without removing it. How to rinse the stove radiator with your own hands? Cleaning with hydrochloric acid solution

With the onset of cold weather, car owners often find that the interior heating system of their car is not working efficiently. Everything seems to be in order, only the air coming from the deflectors is not warm enough. Such a problem may be evidence that the heater core of the machine is clogged and cannot pass the required amount of heated coolant through itself.

How to be in a similar situation: replace the heater or try to repair it? Do not rush to resort to drastic measures. If the heat exchanger does not flow, it can be restored.

In this article we will talk about how the stove is carried out without removing it from the car. In addition, we will discuss which means are best suited for this procedure.

Why is the radiator clogged

In modern cars, two types of heater radiators are used: copper-brass and aluminum. Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages, but they are all subject to oxidation and corrosion. Over time, the channels of any radiator lose their capacity due to deposits on the inner walls. You can also speed up this process:


Consequences of obstruction of the heater radiator

In addition to the fact that warm air will no longer enter the cabin in the right amount, a clogged radiator can cause:

  • engine overheating;
  • increasing pressure in the cooling system;
  • depressurization of elements of the cooling system;
  • failure of the safety valve of the expansion tank, etc.

How to deal with it

The easiest way to get rid of this problem is to flush the stove radiator. Its essence is to drive through it a special agent that can dissolve and wash all scale and dirt. There are two ways of the stove radiator without removing it from the car and with removal. The first method does not provide for the dismantling of the heater. It is easy enough to disconnect it from the cooling system. In the second case, the heat exchanger is dismantled, and the whole procedure can be successfully carried out even in the bathroom. We will focus on the first option, since flushing the stove radiator without removing it is much easier. And considering that in some cars it is not so easy to get to the heater, it is even faster.

Effective oven cleaners

Now let's figure out how to effectively flush the radiator channels. Plain water for this, you see, is unlikely to fit. Flushing the stove radiator involves pouring funds into it that can destroy the scale formed and deposited on the walls. These funds can be:

  • special liquids for flushing the cooling system (factory-made);
  • household and descaling (“Mole”, “Komet”, “Tiret”, “Kalgon”, etc.);
  • acid solutions (citric, acetic acid);
  • alkaline solutions (caustic or;
  • drinks like Fanta or Coca-Cola;
  • milk serum.

Do no harm

Self-flushing of the stove radiator without removing it from the car or with removal is not important, it must take into account the properties of the material from which the washed element is made. Under no circumstances should alkaline solutions be used to clean aluminum heaters. The metal will instantly begin to oxidize, and the situation will only worsen. The same thing will happen if you pour acid into it. Therefore, for aluminum - acidic agents, for copper - alkaline.

If special liquids for flushing the cooling system have instructions for use, then with household powders, citric acid and soda, you need to be extremely careful and know the proportions for preparing the solution.

How to prepare a solution

Flushing the radiator of the Krotom stove involves the preparation of a liquid based on it. This will require 10 liters of water and 100 g of the specified powder. The powder is poured into heated water, after which it is thoroughly mixed. After that, it is recommended to filter the resulting liquid (it is possible through an unnecessary female stocking). The same proportions are necessary for soda solution.

In order for washing the stove radiator with citric acid to be as effective as possible, it will require at least 300 g per 10 liters of water (30 packs of 10 g each). After dissolution, the resulting liquid must also be filtered.

How to flush the stove radiator without removing it from the car: instructions

First, drain the coolant from the system, after warming up the engine. Then we find the inlet and outlet pipes of the heater radiator and, having loosened the clamps, disconnect the rubber hoses from them. In their place, we attach pre-prepared hoses through which we will pour and drain our cleaning solution.

Before flushing the stove radiator without removing it from the car, you need to drive out all the dirt from it that has not yet had time to settle on the walls. You can do this with ordinary tap water. To do this, pour water (10-20 liters) into one of the hoses, allowing it to flow from the other end.

Only after that you can start cleaning the heater radiator from scale.

We begin to pour liquid into the first hose through a watering can. We lift the end of the second hose a little, and after the solution flows out of it, we block it. When the stove is completely filled, we block the first hose. We leave the radiator for 2-3 hours so that the scale has time to turn off. After that, it must be washed again with water. If necessary, the procedure can be repeated.

After cleaning the stove radiator, attach communication hoses to it. Pour coolant (preferably new) into the system. Start the engine and check the operation of the heater. If the situation does not improve, then it's time to replace the radiator.

  1. Do not use water, especially untreated water, as a coolant. The composition of ordinary tap water contains too many different salts, which subsequently settle on the walls of the radiator.
  2. Do not buy cheap coolants of dubious origin. It is not known what substances are included in their composition and how they "get along" with the metal from which the stove radiator is made.
  3. Produce in a timely manner in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations.

The better to wash the radiator of a car stove

The fact that the interior heater is not redundant, but a necessary device in our latitudes is an impartial reality. How to wash the stove in the car, clean the car stove. 'Cause when in time stove, once a new car, it starts to heat up worse, the question arises before the car enthusiast, how to wash stove radiator car. The heater heat exchanger can be washed both without removing it from the car and by removing it.

If it doesn't heat well stove

Diagnosis of circumstances should begin with checking the stove filter, because from time to time a lack of air flow is perceived as a bad stove operation. If the filter is not clogged, check the thermostat. Firstly, the temperature of the motor while driving the car should be about 90 ◦ C. How to install the car radio yourself. Publication date: January 29, 2016. Cars have firmly entered our lives and today it is not just a means of transportation, but a place where we spend a lot. Secondly, the radiator of the cooling system, standing with the engine running, the car should be cold to the touch until the temperature reaches the operating temperature. If the scale of the temperature meter is not graduated in degrees, then the temperature of 90 ◦ C corresponds to the middle position of the pointer. If the thermostat is working, compare the temperature of the pipe supplying antifreeze to the stove with the temperature of the outlet. This can be done when the engine is running, the stove valve is open, and the heater fan is turned on. There may be two options here:

  1. The inlet pipe is hot, and the outlet is a little warm. This happens when there is a missing flow of antifreeze through the radiator. One way to connect a registrar without a car is as a registrar. A more possible prerequisite for which is a malfunction of the heater tap.
  2. Both pipes are identically hot. There may be two circumstances. 1st bad heat loss of the radiator due to its pollution inside or outside. To clean the air conditioner radiator in a car of any brand, care is required, first of all, as it is quite fragile. This malfunction can be removed even at home. 2nd - leakage of the partition dividing the radiator tank into two halves of the inlet and outlet. The latter leads to the fact that the coolant does not pass through the entire radiator, but passes from the inlet pipe through the leakage of the partition immediately into the outlet.

Repair

If during the operation of the stove both pipes are identically hot, you can start the repair by flushing the stove radiator without removing it together with the entire cooling system. The solution for flushing the system must be prepared with the introduction of distilled or, in the latter case, boiled water. For its manufacture, ordinary citric acid is often taken.

It is better to take as much water as it enters the cooling system of your car. In this volume of water, 100 g of citric acid must be dissolved. Then you need to drain the coolant, fill in the cleaning solution instead and drive the car for several days (if the temperature is below zero or very hot outside, it is better to repeat the procedure several times, just warming up the car to operating temperature.) Instead of citric acid, you can take some descaling agent or special liquid for flushing the cooling system. After the cleaning fluid has worked, drain it. Finally, be sure to flush the system several times with plain water. The tense situation on the roads today obliges many motorists to have a DVR in their car, since nothing insures the driver so much from all kinds. Only when the water has drained several times clean without dirt and flakes, cooling system you can add antifreeze.

How clean the heater core without removing it from the car

I think it’s clear how to clean in this way. So I cleaned it many times and the result was always positive.

Rinse stove radiator without filming. With plastic container

I'm a useless narrator and filmed the whole process Not at first, but when I saw the use of flushing, I decided to shoot it.

If you don’t want the negative effects of water on the metal parts of the cooling system and a small risk of overheating the engine, then the method of flushing the heater together with the entire cooling system is not for you.

Without removing the radiator, you can clean the system in another way. The conductors in the car are brought to the rear and front how to connect the car radio. Then you need to prepare two pieces of rubber hose (one is about two meters long, the other is a meter long, with an inner diameter equal to the outer diameter of the radiator pipe), a three-liter plastic bottle, electrical tape and a bucket. At one end of a long piece of hose, wind several turns of electrical tape so that the outer diameter of the winding is equal to the inner diameter of the bottle neck. Cut off the bottom of the bottle and firmly insert the end of the hose with winding into the neck so that you get a funnel with a hose instead of a spout. Hang the bottle up. Attach both hoses to the radiator, place the free end of the short one in a bucket. Pour the cleaning solution into the bottle. As soon as the solution flows into the bucket, plug the hose and leave the radiator filled for a day, let it soak. Once you decide enough time has passed, remove the gag from the short hose. A solution from a bottle under pressure, which depends on the height of the liquid column, will flush the radiator. Good day to all! So I decided on my typewriter l2f1 1.9dtsi 120l.s. Shut off the egr valve, but I don’t really know how to do this, are there any pitfalls in this matter or not? And what for. Your task is to scoop the washing from the bucket, filter it and pour it into the bottle. A simple instruction for those who do not know how to adjust the VAZ 2105 carburetor. There is also a video that addresses this issue. As soon as the dirt stops coming out with the liquid, stop the process. Rinse the radiator with running water and replace it.

Option using a special cleaner and an electric motor for forced circulation of liquid

If flushing the radiator from the inside was successful, but stove it didn’t blow hot air, and the pipes at the inlet and outlet of the radiator are equally hot, it can be assumed that the outside of the radiator also needs to be cleaned. To clean the radiator from the outside, prepare a not too hard brush and soapy water. When removing the radiator, take a good look at it for leaks. You need to look at the seam of the lids of the tanks and at the entrance to the tanks of the tubes, since depressurization most often occurs there.

Masters versed in chemistry advise using weakly acidic solutions for cleaning an aluminum radiator and in no case use alkaline cleaning solutions for radiators made of this material. For copper radiators, on the contrary, they recommend slightly alkaline solutions and warn against the use of acidic ones.

I don’t know what kind of environment is in the mole sewer cleaner. We clean without removing which, including the stove in the car, on ways to clean it. How. But I want to warn you against using it to clean aluminum radiators. Dear friends, today I will tell you how to replace the cabin filter in the VAZ-2110 on your own. I think no one will dispute the need to replace the cabin filter on our dozens, because they are. A few years ago I cleaned an aluminum radiator with it. The tool turned out to be very strong - I had to change the radiator. How it interacts with copper heatsinks, I don't know. Those who dare to try, I urge you not to be shy and share your experience somewhere on the forums.

So, citric acid is suitable for cleaning an aluminum radiator. The copper heat exchanger can be filled with caustic soda.

Side effects

If earlier coolant was leaking in the car, and this was eliminated by filling in cooling system sealant. Be prepared for the fact that after flushing, leakage will resume. This does not mean that it is harmful to flush the cooling system. This indicates that the filling of the sealant in cooling system, to put it mildly, not a repair.

Do not drive with cleaning fluid in the cooling system for too long, even in summer. Firstly, the boiling point of any antifreeze, including antifreeze, is almost twice as high as that of water, which increases the risk of engine overheating. What is the registrar doing at this time? As in the diagram above, specifically on my machine, it can. Secondly, it has long been noticed that working on water dramatically reduces the life of the pump bearing. This is explained by the fact that a small amount of coolant still penetrates the seal and contacts the pump bearing, and contact with antifreeze will be less harmful, since its lubricating and anti-corrosion properties are higher.

The fact that the interior heater is not superfluous, but a necessary device in our latitudes, is an objective reality. Therefore, when over time the stove, once a new car, starts to heat up worse, the car owner has a question of how to flush the radiator of the car's stove. The heater heat exchanger can be washed both without removing it from the car and by removing it.

Diagnosing the causes should begin with checking the stove filter, as sometimes a lack of air flow is perceived as poor stove operation. If the filter is not clogged, check the thermostat. First, the temperature of the engine while driving should be about 90 ◦ C. Second, the radiator of the cooling system of the car with the engine running should be cool to the touch until the temperature reaches operating temperature. If the scale of the temperature meter is not graduated in degrees, then the temperature of 90 ◦ C corresponds to the middle position of the pointer. If the thermostat is working, compare the temperature of the pipe supplying antifreeze to the stove with the temperature of the outlet. This can be done when the engine is running, the stove valve is open, and the heater fan is turned on. There can be two options here:

  1. The inlet pipe is hot, and the outlet is slightly warm. This happens when there is insufficient flow of antifreeze through the radiator. The most likely cause of this is a defective heater tap.
  2. Both pipes are equally hot. There can be two reasons. The first poor heat transfer of the radiator due to contamination inside or outside. This problem can be fixed even at home. The second is the leakage of the partition dividing the radiator tank into two halves - inlet and outlet. The latter leads to the fact that the coolant does not pass through the entire radiator, but passes from the inlet pipe through the leakage of the partition immediately into the outlet.

If both pipes are equally hot during operation of the stove, you can start the repair by flushing the stove radiator without removing it along with the entire cooling system. The solution for flushing the system must be prepared using distilled or, in extreme cases, boiled water. For its preparation, ordinary citric acid is often taken.

It is better to take as much water as is included in the cooling system of your car. In this volume of water, 100 g of citric acid must be dissolved. Then you need to drain the coolant, fill in the cleaning solution instead and drive the car for several days (if the temperature is below zero or very hot outside, it is better to repeat the procedure several times, just warming up the car to operating temperature.) Instead of citric acid, you can take some descaling agent or special liquid for flushing the cooling system. After the cleaning fluid has worked, drain it. Finally, be sure to flush the system several times with plain water. Only when the water has drained clean several times without dirt and flakes, antifreeze can be poured into the cooling system.

If you don’t want the negative effects of water on the metal parts of the cooling system and a small risk of overheating the engine, then the method of flushing the heater together with the entire cooling system is not for you.

Without removing the radiator, you can clean the system in another way. Then you need to prepare two pieces of rubber hose (one is about two meters long, the other is a meter long, with an inner diameter equal to the outer diameter of the radiator pipe), a three-liter plastic bottle, electrical tape and a bucket. At one end of a long piece of hose, wind several turns of electrical tape so that the outer diameter of the winding is equal to the inner diameter of the bottle neck. Cut off the bottom of the bottle and firmly insert the end of the hose with winding into the neck so that you get a funnel with a hose instead of a spout. Hang the bottle up. Attach both hoses to the radiator, place the free end of the short one in a bucket. Pour the cleaning solution into the bottle. As soon as the solution flows into the bucket, plug the hose and leave the radiator filled for a day, let it soak. Once you decide enough time has passed, remove the gag from the short hose. A solution from a bottle under pressure, which depends on the height of the liquid column, will flush the radiator. Your task is to scoop the washing from the bucket, filter it and pour it into the bottle. As soon as the dirt stops coming out with the liquid, stop the process. Rinse the radiator with running water and replace it.

Option using a special cleaner and an electric motor for forced circulation of liquid

If the flushing of the radiator was successful from the inside, but the stove did not blow hot air, and the pipes at the inlet and outlet of the radiator are equally hot, it can be assumed that the outside of the radiator also needs to be cleaned. To clean the radiator from the outside, prepare a not too hard brush and soapy water. When removing the radiator, take a good look at it for leaks. You need to look at the seam of the lids of the tanks and at the entrance to the tanks of the tubes, since depressurization most often occurs there.

Masters versed in chemistry advise using weakly acidic solutions for cleaning an aluminum radiator and in no case use alkaline cleaning solutions for radiators made of this material. For copper radiators, on the contrary, they recommend slightly alkaline solutions and warn against the use of acidic ones.

I don’t know what kind of environment is in the mole sewer cleaner. But I want to warn you against using it to clean aluminum radiators. A few years ago I cleaned an aluminum radiator with it. The tool turned out to be very strong - I had to change the radiator. How it interacts with copper heatsinks, I don't know. Those who dare to try, I urge you not to be shy and share your experience somewhere on the forums.

So, citric acid is suitable for cleaning an aluminum radiator. The copper heat exchanger can be filled with caustic soda.

If earlier coolant leaked in the car, this was eliminated by pouring sealant into the cooling system. Be prepared for the fact that after flushing, leakage will resume. This does not mean that it is harmful to flush the cooling system. This indicates that pouring sealant into the cooling system, to put it mildly, is not a repair.

Do not drive with cleaning fluid in the cooling system for too long, even in summer. Firstly, the boiling point of any antifreeze, including antifreeze, is almost twice as high as that of water, which increases the risk of engine overheating. Secondly, it has long been noticed that working on water dramatically reduces the life of the pump bearing. This is explained by the fact that a small amount of coolant still penetrates the seal and contacts the pump bearing, and contact with antifreeze will be less harmful, since its lubricating and anti-corrosion properties are higher.

Today, there are quite a few ways to clean the radiator from pollution. There are serious doubts about the appropriateness of some of them: the ingredients are difficult to get, and the cleaning process itself is quite laborious. Therefore, it is better to choose those methods where the risk of damaging the car is minimal and there is no threat to one's own health. And remember, you do all the work at your own peril and risk.

If you want to get the perfect result, get a guarantee for the services rendered and be sure that everything is done correctly, use the services of our car service. Record by phone +7-383-310-39-17 or follow the link: :

Methods for flushing the stove radiator without removal and with removal: choose the most effective

Heat in the car is not a whim at all, but a guarantee of pleasant and safe driving. The frost that forms on the windows in cold weather interferes with a full view of the road and increases the risk of an accident. After all, with the advent of autumn, sharp temperature drops begin in the daytime and at night. And if the stove blows cold air or does not work at all, then it's time to clean the radiator. It is important not to pull to the last, but to check the operation of the stove in advance and, if necessary, eliminate all malfunctions.
The principle of heating is the same for all cars. Antifreeze circulates through the system, gradually heating up to a high temperature. Hot air enters the cabin with the help of an electric motor, which is located next to the heater radiator. Gradually, plaque accumulates inside the radiator tubes. This is reminiscent of the scale that forms in kettles. The heat transfer of the stove decreases and the quality of heating inside the machine naturally deteriorates.
If the thermostat and heater fan are working, the air ducts are not clogged with dirt, the antifreeze content is within the normal range and the system is not airy, then the cause of the cold inside the car is a dirty stove radiator.

Pollution "wander" through the cooling system, slowly settling in the cells of the radiator. In the absence of systematic car care, parts are subject to corrosion. Scale deposits accumulate on the metal, particles from the evaporation of antifreeze, greasy stains from oil appear. Of course, we are talking about cars that have been in operation for at least 2 years. Flushing the cooling system is advised every two to three years, depending on the conditions of use of the car. For example, cars that drive on rural roads or heavily dusty areas need more care.
In addition, washing with caustic compounds must certainly be carried out with gloves to avoid thermal or chemical burns. The concentration of ingredients selected “by eye” leads to overspending of cleaning agents, and sometimes to damage to parts. In no case should you "forget" the radiator in the solution for an indefinite period. Also, do not neglect flushing the cooling system with distilled water. And use only high-quality antifreeze.
In cold weather, experts do not recommend cleaning the radiator at home. There are frosts at night, and there may be some liquid left in your car. All work is best done in special boxes or insulated rooms. The ideal option is a car service, where qualified specialists will independently carry out the necessary operations.

There are two basic methods for flushing the stove radiator:

  • without removal;
  • With withdrawal.
Of course, both have their advantages and disadvantages. We will consider in detail both options for flushing the stove radiator and give an independent assessment of each of them.

Cleaning the stove radiator without removing

There are several ways to flush the heater radiator that do not involve dismantling. In this case, cleaning the car's cooling system is not the most difficult process, but its timely implementation will help eliminate unnecessary problems and discomfort when driving in the cool season. It is worth choosing the appropriate cleaning method, starting from the material from which the heat exchanger is constructed. For example, you cannot wash a radiator made of aluminum with alkaline solutions. Conversely, solutions containing acid should not be used when working with copper and brass parts. To clean the radiator, you can use both improvised means and professional ones. Also, it is absolutely not necessary to carry out the procedure for cleaning the heater radiator when it is cold outside.

Cleansing with citric acid.


One of the cheapest and most affordable methods of getting rid of scale. The solution for washing is easy to make yourself. It is necessary to dissolve 200 g of acid in warm distilled water. Sometimes it is recommended to add a little vinegar. The resulting liquid must be heated. After that, you will need to drain the old antifreeze and fill in the flushing fluid. Then we pause and use the car in the usual mode. After 3-4 days, we drain the liquid, from which all dirt and scale particles should come out. After that, fill in the antifreeze and the job is finished.

Ease: 5
Cost: 5
Time spent: 3
Quality: 5

Cleaning with household cleaners and pipe cleaners (Toilet Duck Active, Tiret Professional, Mole).


Please note that these products contain alkali, which can damage the aluminum parts of the machine. To prepare the solution, you need to dilute the concentrate with water - one to three. Then pour into the car and wait about 1.5 hours. After that, you need to rinse the radiator with running water and blow out its remnants with a compressor. If dirt remains, the procedure can be repeated again.

Ease: 5
Cost: 4
Time spent: 4
Quality: 4
Conclusion: Recommended for medium soiling.

Washing with Fanta, Schweppes or Sprite.



This method is also advised by experienced car owners. It is important not to confuse sodas, since Fanta, Schweppes and Sprite contain citric acid, and, for example, Coca-Cola contains orthophosphoric acid, which can damage the metal surface. It is necessary to purchase 6-8 liters of soda, ideally without bright dyes, and then flush the cooling system. After completing the procedure, make sure that the maximum amount of liquid has been drained. Then it is necessary to rinse the parts twice with water and pour antifreeze.

Simplicity: 3
Cost: 2
Time spent: 5
Quality: 3
Conclusion: Recommended for medium soiling.

Cleansing with lactic acid.

This method can give a good result, but you will not find lactic acid in the supermarket. Sales offers are sometimes found on auto forums. Usually 36% acid is sold, but 6% is needed for cleaning.

Therefore, dilute the acid in a ratio of 1:5 in distilled water. Pour in and wait for the formation of carbon dioxide to stop. Then you need to drain the dirty liquid.

There are motorists who prefer to drive a few kilometers by car and only then drain the flushing fluid. However, be careful - despite the fact that this solution is not so aggressive on aluminum parts, the engine can get very hot. And, most importantly, do not forget to neutralize the acid by washing the parts with distilled water. The engine should run for about 15 minutes. Only after that you can fill in antifreeze.

Ease: 5
Cost: 4
Time spent: 5
Quality: 4
Bottom line: Recommended for medium to high levels of soiling.

Washing with whey.

An old folk remedy that was used back in Soviet times. Serum helps dissolve scale and rust. However, if the impurities are too old, the serum will soften them, but not completely eliminate them. It is necessary to drain the coolant, then pour two or three liters of whey filtered through cheesecloth. You need to use the car for a couple of days. After that, it is necessary to drain the whey and rinse the system with water. Some motorists note that even after thorough washing, foam forms in the cooling system.

Ease: 5
Cost: 4
Time spent: 4
Quality: 4
Bottom line: Recommended for light to medium soiling.

Washing with acetic acid

It will take three bottles of food vinegar (70%). They are sold in almost every supermarket. Also don't forget to drain the old antifreeze. Remove the branch pipes suitable for the heater radiator. After that, the compressor must blow out the remnants of antifreeze and rinse the radiator with water. After drying, you need to pour vinegar into it and leave for about an hour. Then thoroughly wash the liquid from the radiator. To understand the result of the procedure, it is better to drain the water into a bucket. The older your "iron horse", the clearer the result. The radiator will need to be blown again and dried. Now you need to attach the pipes back, fill in antifreeze and start the engine.

Ease: 5
Cost: 5
Time spent: 4
Quality: 5
Conclusion: Recommended for medium soiling.

Cleaning with professional car chemicals (Hi-Gear, LAVR Radiator Flush, Mannol, Liqui Moly Kuhlerreiniger, Jet 100 Xado, etc.).


Professional products are good because you do not need to calculate the dosage. Also, phosphates, which are part of auto chemicals, will not harm rubber elements - seals and tubes. A well-calculated formula of the concentrate will quickly and effectively (up to 70%) eliminate pollution.

Often from car owners you can hear complaints about the inefficiency of such funds. But the secret of their work is to strictly follow the instructions for use.

Let's take as an example such a well-known tool as Hi-Gear. A hint is already given on the bottle: it will take 7 minutes to flush the cooling system. Mix the product with 5 liters of distilled water. After that, pour the solution into the cooling system. Warm up the engine to 60 degrees by running it for no more than 5-7 minutes. Stop the engine, let it cool and drain the fluid. Rinse the parts with distilled water and fill with antifreeze.

To get a positive result when using any of the professional tools, you need to follow all the recommendations. Otherwise, the effect will be weak.

Ease: 5
Cost: 4
Time spent: 4
Quality: 5
Bottom line: Recommended for medium to high levels of dirt.

Flushing the radiator with complete removal


Dismantling the stove radiator is a laborious process that requires a good knowledge of the machine. But in some cases, this is not enough. For motorists who do not have experience with successfully removing a radiator, it is better to resort to professional help. Ideally, it is better to contact a car service.

Flushing with complete removal is indicated in cases where methods for cleaning the radiator without dismantling have shown to be ineffective.

Removing the heater radiator will reveal several types of malfunctions at once. For example, in this way you can test the operation of the fan and, if necessary, replace its motor.

Also, when dismantling, it will turn out to qualitatively rinse and clean the heater radiator from the outside. In cars without a filter, a lot of debris and dust accumulates in the air intake. Extremely dangerous is poplar fluff, which, as it were, is baked and forms a thick crust. The result is a dirty heat exchanger is poorly ventilated and generates heat.

To understand the state of the pipes, to assess the degree of contamination of the radiator cells and the tightness when closing the dampers of the air ducts, it is possible only by removing the radiator. The drive of the dampers and the voids in the closed position between them and the stove cause air to enter from the outside, passing the radiator. This can happen both with budget cars and expensive foreign cars. And in this case, you definitely should not experiment with parsing your car.

Dismantling the heater radiator will allow you to objectively assess the quality of the cooling system. If the radiator does not work, it is absolutely pointless to clean it - a complete replacement of the elements of the cooling system is necessary. The contamination of the cooling system does not occur immediately, the dirt accumulates gradually. But the moment when the radiator starts to leak and clogs to an absolute failure is always an unpleasant surprise. If it is made of a copper alloy, then the issue can be solved with small means - remove the radiator and solder it. If the aluminum radiator is faulty, it is easier to replace it. The cost of repair is likely to be equal to the price of the radiator.

For flushing with removal, the use of a pump is not required. Need a good pressure of hot water in a special bathroom. When dismantling, they use the entire arsenal of both artisanal and professional tools for washing the stove radiator. But there are methods that can only be applied by removing the radiator. At home, they pose a threat to health and are too labor-intensive.

Washing with sulfuric acid

Dismantling in this case is mandatory to avoid damage to the rubber and plastic parts of the cooling system. In today's conditions, this is a rather exotic method, the expediency of which is highly doubtful. Before starting the procedure, you must comply with all safety regulations. It is necessary to protect your eyes with special glasses, and the skin of your hands with rubber gloves. It would be useful to throw a special dressing gown over the clothes. In addition, use a household respirator that will protect the respiratory tract from toxic fumes. Also use special tongs or grips to avoid direct contact with the solution. In addition, you will need a hydrometer to measure the concentration of the flushing fluid. Please note that a 15% acid solution is needed for flushing. Therefore, the hydrometer should show a density of 1.1 grams per 1 cubic centimeter. To obtain a solution, distilled water and electrolyte for the battery are also needed.
It is important to remember that in no case should water be poured into acid. On the contrary, you need to carefully add the acid to the water.
Similarly, old-style radiators made of copper can be flushed. Parts made of aluminum and zinc, on the contrary, will become unusable.

Simplicity: 1
Cost: 3
Time spent: 4
Quality: 5

Cleaning with hydrochloric acid solution

Another dangerous method that is not recommended without similar practical experience. In addition, hydrochloric acid is quite difficult to obtain. Compliance with safety regulations, as in the case of the use of sulfuric acid, is simply a must.

When using acid, to get rid of heavy contamination, it is necessary to fill the cooling system with a 2% acid solution. It will take no more than 50 ml per 1 liter of water. After flushing the heating system, rinse it gently with water several times. Never use this method if the cooling system consists of parts subject to corrosion.

Simplicity: 1
Cost: 3
Time spent: 4
Quality: 5
Conclusion: recommended in case of high degree of pollution.

Washing with caustic soda (caustic soda).

Another dubious method that provokes heated discussions on forums among motorists. Be sure to protect your skin with gloves before starting the procedure and be careful: caustic corrodes tissues and is quite toxic.
Caustic soda is an alkaline detergent that is hard to come by. Even a 5% solution can harm a radiator, especially if it's made of aluminium. Caustic sodium corrodes parts made of aluminum and zinc, as well as alloys. Caustic is recommended for cleaning equipment before repairs. For washing, a solution of caustic soda is prepared: 50 g per 1 liter of distilled water. The radiator grill must be placed in a bath with a solution for several minutes. After that, take it out and check if the contaminants have dissolved. If necessary, the procedure must be repeated. After cleaning, you need to carefully remove the radiator and thoroughly rinse all parts with distilled water, and then dry.

Simplicity: 2
Cost: 4
Time spent: 4
Quality: 5
Conclusion: recommended in case of high degree of pollution.

Today, there are quite a few ways to clean the radiator from pollution. There are serious doubts about the appropriateness of some of them: the ingredients are difficult to get, and the cleaning process itself is quite laborious. Therefore, it is better to choose those methods where the risk of damaging the car is minimal and there is no threat to one's own health. And remember, you do all the work at your own peril and risk. If you want to

It's nice to sit in a warm car interior on a frosty day. But how does it heat up? What is needed for this? What problems can the heating system have? What kind of flushing is needed for a car stove?

Car heating system

Heating of any car is simply called a stove. The principle of operation is the same for everyone. The coolant circulates in the engine cooling system, heated to a high temperature. One of the points where the coolant is located is the heater core. This is a small radiator with a special electric motor located next to it for pumping hot air through the radiator cells into the passenger compartment.

Stove pollution

Over time, plaque forms on the inner walls of the heater radiator tubes. It's like limescale in a kettle. The thermal conductivity of the heater decreases and, consequently, the heating of the passenger compartment deteriorates. How to clean the radiator of a car stove? And more importantly - how to wash the stove in a car without removing it? It all depends on the type of heater heater installed and the liquid used for the cooling system.

Currently, almost no one pours ordinary water into the cooling system. As prescribed, most drivers use antifreeze and antifreeze. Nevertheless, you should be aware that two types of pollution form in the cooling system: scale and antifreeze grease. They are washed with various cleaners. Alkaline and acid. There are also neutral washes.

Types of oven radiators

Stove radiators, mainly in terms of flushing, differ in the material of manufacture. Most modern radiators are made of plastic and aluminum. That is, the side tanks of the tank are made of plastic, and the honeycombs are made of thin aluminum tubes.

However, sometimes there are still old-style radiators made of copper. Copper oxides are washed off much more difficult than ordinary plaque. Therefore, flushing a copper radiator is a separate issue.

Washing agents

Currently, there are many different means for flushing the radiator of a car stove on the market. They are produced as well-known branded manufacturers such as: Lique Moli or Hi Gear. And less well-known brands, for example, the Russian Lavr.

By type of impact, they are divided into:

  • neutral;
  • alkaline;
  • acid;
  • two-component.

The two-component options are considered the best. factory flushes. The increased demand for fluid for flushing the car cooling system, respectively, makes manufacturers work in the right direction.

Folk remedies for cleaning

However, various additives and liquids for cleaning the cooling system have appeared relatively recently. As before, car owners cleaned the cooling system on their own. It turns out that some household substances familiar to us can also wash out all the pipes of the cooling system quite well. Previously performed well:


As you can see, acidic and alkaline substances work here too. The best way to alternate acidic and alkaline environments. First, the system is washed with acid, and then with alkali.

Standard aluminum radiators

The better to wash the aluminum radiator of the car stove, only the owner of the car can decide. Of course, with such a rich choice of funds, it is difficult to stop at one thing. You need to choose depending on the age of the car and the degree of pollution. For example, if you regularly flush the system from the very beginning, you can even get by with distilled water. Just every 10,000 kilometers, carefully drain the antifreeze and, after pouring distilled or at least well-boiled water, let the car run on it for 15 minutes. Then drain. Repeat the procedure several times until the drained water is clear.

Important! Pour distilled or strongly boiled water! Do not attempt to flush the cooling system with plain tap water. Suspensions contained in ordinary water will further pollute the entire system.

The least complicated way to flush the stove radiator on your own is with branded neutral antifreeze additives from well-known companies. In this case, a certain volume of liquid is added to the expansion tank, and operation continues as normal. After 2-3 days, the antifreeze is drained and fresh is poured. The washable plaque in this case turns into a gel component, and is easily washed away with water. However, this is not very effective if the stove radiator is heavily clogged.

Flushing the old scale of the cooling system

If the car is not new and there is a suspicion that the radiators have not been washed, it is best to use a two-component additive. Or use in turn acidic, and then alkaline, liquids for cleaning radiators without removing them from the car. It is better to consider this process using the example of flushing the VAZ cooling system.

Flush the radiators of the car without removing it, preferably in the inspection hole. This will provide easy access to the drain holes and allow the work to be carried out cleanly. First of all, it is necessary to drain the coolant from the system into the substituted containers. All vehicles usually have two drain points, in the radiator and in the engine block. In the radiator, the plug is usually made in the form of a lamb, in the block - a bolt with a 13 head.

Carefully drain the coolant and fill in half the rate of water, add the first component of the additive or acid flush. Fill with water to the level and start the engine.

Attention! When pouring residual water, be sure to remove one of the upper pipes of the system from the carburetor heating or throttle assembly. Otherwise, it is in the radiator of the stove that an air lock is formed.

Start the engine and let it run for 10-15 minutes. Shut off the motor. Let stand for the same amount. Drain flush. Pour again half the norm of water and add the second component or alkaline medium. Top up system to normal level. Start the engine again and let it run for 20 minutes. Drain the flush and fill with distilled or boiled water. Let the engine run to flush the cooling system and drain the water.

If necessary, repeat the procedure several times.

Flushing copper radiators

Old-style stove radiators made of copper are recommended to be washed with a 15% sulfuric acid solution. But this procedure requires special care. In addition to the fact that working with sulfuric acid is dangerous in itself, there is a danger when flushing the heater radiator to damage the rubber and plastic parts of the cooling system with acid. Therefore, it is still better to flush the copper heater radiator by removing it from the car. This will save the owner from unnecessary risks.

Tales of Coca Cola

There is a widespread version about the good results that flushing the cooling system and stove with the famous Coca-Cola drink gives. On the one hand, it seems to be a true statement. This drink contains many active substances that destroy blockages. However, we must remember that Coca-Cola also contains a lot of sugar. And when heated, there is a risk, instead of cleaning the stove radiator, to get an even tougher blockage. Sugar, turning into caramel will kill the system completely.

Here, the option is also to remove the heater core and soak in a drink. But it’s easier to take the usual solution of citric acid food and clean the stove radiator without removing it from the car in the way described above.

Although in the video below, the guys still took a chance and washed the car's radiators with Cola:

Chemical Wash Precautions

First of all, you need to protect your eyes. All active substances capable of flushing radiator pipes are very caustic. And therefore getting them into the eyes threatens with serious troubles. It is best to use safety goggles. Not very good and getting these substances on the skin. Therefore, rubber medical gloves are worn during work.

Well, of course, you need to try to inhale the vapors evaporating from washing as little as possible. These fumes have a negative effect on the lungs. In this case, it does not hurt to wear a regular household respirator, if possible.

It must also be remembered that when working with sulfuric acid don't pour water into acid. Just the opposite - acid to water.

You can watch the process of flushing the cooling system on a car using a factory additive in the video below:



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