Flushing the car engine cooling radiator. Flushing the engine cooling system - selection of effective means and methods of application

17.10.2019

Fuel system

An important component of the internal combustion engine assembly is the cooling system, which is filled with either antifreeze, or antifreeze, or water (mostly domestic truck workers fill up with water in the North, so they do not turn off the engines during the entire cold period of winter).

Flushing the engine cooling system.

Antifreezes, in general, have a service life of 5 years or until the engine has traveled 250 thousand km. Antifreeze has a service life of 2-3 years. By the way, you can see what happens if you mix . Depending on the operation of the car and the quality of the coolant, if you do not change the liquid or if you dilute the coolants, then the radiator channels and the cooling jacket become clogged. Therefore, to increase the overhaul life of the motor, it is required to periodically flush the engine cooling system. You can wash both in car services and at home in your own garage.

Many drivers clean the cooling system with their own hands. Someone uses citric acid, someone uses Coca-Cola, someone uses diesel fuel, someone uses special equipment (eg Laurel), someone else does something else.

Who wants to have no problems with the engine, he must regularly flush the cooling system with a certain frequency. During the operation of the engine, deposits, rust, oil deposits, sediments and scale accumulate on the walls of the radiator and pipes. There will be much more clogging substances if the engine was running at an increased mode, the temperature almost reached the red mark.

If the channels of the radiator and pipes are clogged, then, accordingly, the circulation has worsened. And poor engine circulation will create additional problems: the engine will overheat (which can become a gasket replacement), cool air will blow from the stove, engine parts will be subject to increased wear.

It is advisable to flush the car's cooling system once a year. Warm weather is needed to change the coolant.

There is a cooling radiator icon on the instrument panel, which, if lit, indicates either a low level of antifreeze or antifreeze, or that the radiator needs to be cleaned or replaced. This icon is available in some brands of cars.

The list of cars, we considered in another article. It lists the makes and models of machines and the required coolant volumes for them.

Signs that it's time to clean the cooling system.

If one of the following signs is found, then it is imperative to clean the internal combustion engine cooling system:

The temperature of the engine rises sharply, and this happens often.
At the operating temperature of the motor, cold air is blowing from the stove.
The pump (pump) is not working well.
The fan turns on early and runs at high speeds.

When such signs and causes appear, it is necessary to study the flushing scheme, how to flush, how to flush, how to properly fill in new coolant.

Flushing the engine cooling system with your own hands.

The means used to flush the engine cooling system use both chemical special means and folk ones. Folk remedies for cleaning the system are inexpensive and proven many times over. Acid-containing products can remove rust and such deposits, and alkaline products can remove scale.

Consider rinsing with citric acid.

Since citric acid (formula C6H8O7) is able to corrode rust and deposits of oxidized metals, it is effective to use it if water was used as a coolant in the engine cooling system.

How to dilute citric acid to flush radiators:

We take one liter of pure water.
Add 20-40 grams of citric acid powder (1-2 tablespoons) to this water - this is for easy cleaning or prevention. If the system has not been washed for a long time, it is heavily polluted, then 80-100 grams of citric acid (8-10 tablespoons) should be added to 1 liter of water. For the water to become strongly acidic rather than alkaline, i.e. the pH level to be less than 7. If you add this amount of citric acid to distilled water, then the pH level will be around 3.
Make the volume of the finished liquid, how much will fit into the empty cooling system. Depending on the engine. How many liters of antifreeze, water or antifreeze were poured, in the same volume it is necessary to prepare a cleaning fluid. That is, to prepare 10 liters of lemon aggressive liquid, you need 10 liters of distilled water and 0.8-1 kg of lemon powder.

Follow flushing of the cooling system:

Completely drain the coolant from the system.
Pour the prepared solution.
Start the engine, warm up to operating temperature and leave for several hours.
Drain the liquid from the cooling system.
If the liquid is very cloudy and dirty, then rinse again until the liquid becomes clear.
After the drained washing folk liquid turned out to be clean, it is imperative to flush the system with ordinary clean water (preferably distilled or boiled).

The next common folk remedy for flushing the engine cooling system is acetic acid.

A solution of acetic acid effectively removes rust. To prepare the wash solution you will need:

10 liters of pure water;
0.5 liters of vinegar.

The replacement procedure is the same as using citric acid:

drain;
pour;
start the motor;
let the engine run for about 1 hour;
drain;
repeat until the liquid is clear;
rinse with distilled or boiled water;
fill in new antifreeze or antifreeze.

Another folk remedy as a flushing fluid for all channels of cooling systems is Fanta carbonated drink (Fanta).

Fanta contains citric acid. Therefore, it is also used for cleaning by some home craftsmen. They drain the old liquid, fill the entire system with this fanta, then let the engine run for about an hour at idle or, if it is very dirty, they operate a car with a flooded fanta for a couple of days. After that, distilled water is drained and poured, and also operated for two days. Then drain, and look at the state of the liquid. If necessary, perform the procedure until the drained liquid becomes relatively clean.

After flushing, it is necessary to check all the pipes of the cooling system and the radiator. It happens that rust blocked the holes and the system remained airtight. But after flushing, the radiator or tubes may leak.

Flushing the cooling system with lactic acid or whey.

Less common is the use of whey or lactic acid as an engine cooling flush.

If lactic acid is available, the entire system is filled with it. Start the engine and let it idle or under load for a while.

But, not everyone has the opportunity to use lactic acid for washing. Therefore, serum is used instead.

Serum cooling system flushing sequence:

Find or prepare 10 liters of whey.
Strain several times so that there are no pieces of fat.
Drain the old coolant.
Pour in the serum.
Start the engine and hit the road. Drive 50 kilometers, but drive no more than 2 hours. Because the serum loses its main good properties after 2 hours.
Wear thick rubber gloves to avoid burns.
Drain hot whey. If it cools down, then deposits form again on the walls of the channels, the jackets of the cooling system.
After draining, let the motor cool down.
Pour pre-boiled water into the system.
Start motor.
Let it work for 20 minutes.
Drain the water.
Fill with fresh antifreeze G11, G12, G12+ or G13. It is better to fill in from G12 and above.
Expel the air. This also requires certain knowledge -.
Check level, top up if necessary.

The next folk remedy for cleaning the internal combustion engine cooling system is caustic soda.

Caustic soda, it is also "caustic alkali", it is also sodium hydroxide, it is also caustic - an effective remedy, but only for attention! - copper radiators. Soda compositions are forbidden to be poured into aluminum radiators and any other aluminum parts. To use this method and follow the instructions, you will have to remove the radiator.

The manufacturer of copper radiators has developed these instructions for flushing with caustic soda:

Remove the main radiator.
Rinse channels with water.
Blow out with air under pressure not higher than 1 kgf/cm2 (1 atmosphere).
Wear thick rubber gloves and a respirator, as such soda corrodes the skin and harms the lungs.
Prepare 1 liter of solution from 10% caustic soda.
Heat the solution to +90 degrees.
Pour soda solution into the radiator.
Wait half an hour.
Drain liquid.
Rinse with hot water and blow with hot air alternately. Do this many times, for about an hour. Carry out the process in the direction of the reverse movement.
Check the radiator for leaks with cold water.

What means is undesirable to flush the internal combustion engine cooling system.

Coca Cola

Many people know that Coca-Cola can remove scale and clean radiators. There are many videos on the Internet on using Coca-Cola to clean kettles and other objects that form deposits.

Coca-Cola can be used to flush radiators and all channels of the engine cooling system. Coca-Cola contains phosphoric acid, thanks to which rust, greasy deposits of oil and additives are perfectly removed. But there is one but. The fact is that in addition to orthophosphoric acid, Coca-Cola contains sugar and a lot of carbon dioxide.

If you have chosen the method of flushing the cooling system with Coca-Cola, then:

You have to get the carbon dioxide out of it.
Drain the old fluid.
Pour cola.
Wait no more than 10 minutes, as it corrodes plastic and rubber products and the surfaces of aluminum parts.
Drain the cola.
Rinse several times with clean water so that no sugar remains in the system. The remaining droplets with sugar when pouring antifreeze with sweat can react and the properties of the antifreeze will change.

Fairy (Fairy)

Some may use this chemical agent to flush the internal combustion engine cooling system, but it’s not worth it. It perfectly removes grease, but does not dissolve rust and other deposits. But with the help of fairies, you can perfectly rinse the radiator from the outside. During the summer, a lot of flies and other insects stick to the front of the radiator.

Calgon (Calgon)

Means such as Calgon and others (Mr Muscle, Tiret) like them are used to protect against scale formation. He is unlikely to be able to remove rust and deposits. It is better to add it to the washing machine so that the scale does not settle on the drum.

White

Powerful tool for removing dirt, germs, mold with a pungent persistent odor. Whiteness contains sodium hydrochloride, which can corrode the surfaces of aluminum parts. When heated, the whiteness will quickly corrode aluminum tubes. Therefore, do not use and test on your own experience.

Mole

Mole cleaner can only be used in copper main radiators and stove radiators, because it contains caustic soda. It will ruin aluminum surfaces. It also corrodes rubber seals, oil seals.

After flushing, you must also be able to fill in new coolant, otherwise an air lock may form. Then you have to expel this air plug from the system.

Combined method of citric acid, vinegar and soda

There are those who mix different substances in the hope of getting a super coolant flush.

Make the following composition of the mixture:

50% soda;
25% citric acid;
25% vinegar.

Such homemade chemical mixtures can and will clean the channels in the system, but at the same time, they will destroy the rubber seals.

Special fluids for flushing the cooling system

Those who are not going to test drinks, descalers, and folk remedies as a cleaner and do not trust them, they choose auto chemical products.

Manufacturers of auto chemicals are constantly developing new products, so the range of choice is great.

Classification of liquids by chemical composition:

Neutral. Neutral are those with a pH value of 7. You can get a ph-meter and check what kind of water we drink (it is good to drink alkaline water), and so on. Neutral liquids do not have various alkaline and acid impurities. Such fluids alone cannot clean the channels of the cooling system well.
Acid. These liquids have a pH value<7. Хорошо применяются для очищения органических веществ.
Alkaline. Alkalines have a pH > 7. Effectively dissolve organic contaminants.
Two-component. These liquids contain both acidic and alkaline elements. Effectively dissolve and remove scale, rust, various deposits resulting from the decomposition of antifreeze or antifreeze.

It is advisable to use only one liquid by chemical composition. Not so, first alkaline, then acidic, or vice versa.

Among the TOP auto chemical products for flushing the engine cooling system, the following are distinguished:

Lavr Radiator Flush Classic(Laurus Radiator Flush Classic) is a chemical product from Russian manufacturers. Effectively used for complete cleaning of the internal combustion engine cooling system. The cost of a half-liter container of Lavra is about 300 rubles.

How to use LAVR:

Drain coolant.
Pour two-component LAVR. A volume of 430 ml is sufficient.
We fill the system with water after Lavra.
We start the engine and let it idle for 30 minutes.
Shut off and drain fluid.
Fill with distilled water for flushing.
Start the engine and let it idle for 15 minutes.
Drain this fluid and fill in new antifreeze or antifreeze.

After such cleaning, deposits of scale, rust and dirt will be removed from the system. The pump and antifreeze will last longer.

2. LIQUI MOLY Kuhler-Reiniger(Likui Moli Kahler-Reiniger) is a product from a German manufacturer of automotive chemicals. The cost is around 500 rubles for a 300 ml can. The composition does not contain aggressive substances. If you need to flush the radiator channels and the system as a whole from rust and oil deposits, then Liqui is perfect for this. Does not destroy rubber and plastic products.

To prepare a flushing fluid for a car's cooling system, one 300 ml bottle is enough.

How to use LIQUI MOLY:

Drain some of the old fluid from the system.
Pour the entire contents of the can directly into the radiator.
Start the engine and let it idle for 30 minutes, or you can also ride.
Drain liquid. Usually a dirty brown liquid is poured out.
Rinse with distilled or boiled water.
Pour in new antifreeze or antifreeze.

3. Hi-Gear Radiator Flush-7 minute- A product from American manufacturers. The price of a vessel with a volume of 325 ml is about 6 dollars. It is used in different countries to clean the cooling system of cars and trucks. The working time declared by the manufacturer is 7 minutes. There is also a 5-minute action.
After using High Gear Radiator Flush 7, the efficiency of the radiator increases by 1.5 times, the circulation of liquid in the system is restored, and it does not corrode the pump seal and other rubber-plastic products.

Conclusion

As you can see, it is possible to effectively flush the engine cooling system with your own hands, but I recommend using special auto chemical goods after reading the instructions. Folk methods can also be effective, but who knows, it may not work for your engine.

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.
Acid - almost never found in its 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 They 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 in the case of compositions 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?

During the operation and maintenance of the internal combustion engine, it is mandatory to periodically replace the working technical fluids. These include engine oil, gear oil in the gearbox, brake fluid and fluid. Before replacement, in some cases, preliminary flushing of these systems and assemblies is required.

Flushing the engine cooling system and replacing the coolant (coolant) is a responsible procedure, which is desirable to be done at least once every 2-3 years or every 70-80 thousand km. mileage, which will depend on the quality of the liquid filled in the cooling system. The normal operation of the cooling system and the quality of the coolant directly affect the resistance to overheating of the motor, the efficiency of maintaining the operating temperature of the engine under any conditions and operating modes of the engine, the resource, the heater radiator, (pump) and connecting pipes

Read in this article

When and why you need to change antifreeze

Let's start with the fact that water in the cooling system is practically not used today, giving way to antifreeze or antifreeze. One of the properties of such a working fluid in the system, regardless of the type (antifreeze or antifreeze), is the tendency to gradually boil away.

In other words, the level in the expansion tank drops little by little. In this case, most motorists add ordinary distilled water, since the coolant itself is a concentrate, which is diluted with distilled water in a certain proportion. We add that such a liquid (subject to the good quality of the concentrate itself and distilled water) performs two functions at once:

The main task is to remove heat from the engine and transfer heat to the radiator, where the subsequent cooling of the circulating coolant takes place;
An additional function is to protect, clean and partially lubricate the internal surfaces and elements of the cooling system;

Due to significant heating and boiling of the coolant, which requires periodic dilution with water, as well as for a number of other reasons, a gradual loss of coolant properties occurs. Therefore, the service life of such a working fluid is limited. The result is the need to replace it. There is also the fact of the formation of scale and dirt in the cooling system. For this reason, a noticeable change in color (darkening) and smell of antifreeze occurs, which indicates the end of the coolant life and / or contamination of the cooling system.

In view of the foregoing, it is required not only to periodically change the liquid in the cooling system, but also to flush the engine cooling system before replacing the coolant. Ignoring this rule leads to the fact that fresh antifreeze or antifreeze darkens or even turns black after several tens of kilometers, as it is poured into a dirty cooling system. We add that a contaminated system cannot function normally even when taking into account the replacement of the coolant.

How to flush and clean the engine cooling system yourself

Let's start with the fact that cleaning the cooling system involves a division into two stages. The first includes external cleaning of the radiator cells and itself from dust, fluff, dirt and other debris. For cleaning, it will be enough to use any damp cloth that can be used to wipe the fan blades. As for the radiator, its cells are washed with a directed stream of water under low pressure. Please note that washing with high-pressure cleaners such as Karcher can damage the soft cells of the car radiator.

Now let's move on to the so-called internal cleaning, that is, directly to flushing the cooling system. Flushing the specified system is necessary to remove scale and rust, as well as deposits that inevitably occur after the decomposition of additives in the composition of antifreeze / antifreeze. In engines that have certain malfunctions, engine oil or gases from the combustion chamber may additionally enter the cooling system, which also negatively affects the general condition of the system.

Such washing is carried out using various special means, solutions or water (both ordinary and distilled). Each of the cleaners used has certain advantages and disadvantages, which we will talk about a little later.

It is necessary to start flushing by draining the old antifreeze from the system by unscrewing the drain plug on the radiator, which is structurally located at the lowest point. You will also need to unscrew the drain plug and (if any) to remove coolant residue from the engine cooling jacket. To drain, unscrew the cap of the expansion tank, place the containers under the radiator and BC, unscrew the drain plugs.

It should be remembered that it is forbidden to unscrew the upper or lower radiator cap, the cap on the BC, as well as the cap of the expansion tank on a hot engine! Overpressure builds up in the system, causing fluid to splash out and cause serious burns or other injury!

The further washing process itself is extremely simple:

after draining, all plugs are screwed. Then water or a special flushing liquid is poured into the system through the expansion tank.
then the engine runs at idle for about 10-15 minutes (until the engine reaches full operating temperature and the cooling fan turns on).

Deviations in the process of heating the engine to operating temperature may indicate the presence of an air lock. Such a plug must be eliminated by idling or disconnecting the pipes for subsequent bleeding of the system with the engine running.

Please note that the fan may turn on unexpectedly. Do not allow foreign objects to be found in the engine compartment, which can get into the fan. This will cause it to break. Also protect your limbs from being hit by the cooling fan blades!

After reaching operating temperature, the engine is allowed to cool, then the liquid is drained again in the manner described above. Do not forget that during flushing, the stove in the cabin must be turned on for maximum heating. This allows you to flush the heater core, through which the coolant also circulates. The end of flushing can be considered the moment when, after the next drain, clean flushing liquid or water flows out of the cooling system.

Why the cooling system gets dirty: the main reasons

The main reason for the rapid contamination of the cooling system is the use of ordinary running water, since the water in the cooling system causes profuse scale and rust formation. Also, plain water contains a large amount of salts, which, under conditions of high temperatures, settle on the internal surfaces of the cooling system. As for distilled water, there is less scale as a result of its use, but it still does not provide adequate protection against corrosion.

Pouring high-quality antifreeze or antifreeze into the cooling system does not lead to scale formation and slows down corrosion processes. In parallel with this, antifreeze loses its protective properties after a certain time, the additives in its composition cease to act. As a result, precipitation may occur, decomposition products accumulate on the walls of the pipes and on the internal surfaces of the elements of the cooling system. The overall efficiency of the system is reduced, in some cases blockage of highways may occur.

What is the best way to flush the engine cooling system

To begin with, we will not consider examples using the popular Coca-Cola drink to flush the radiator and engine cooling system. Let's take a look at common solutions:

ordinary or distilled water, water with an oxidizing agent;
special cleaners of the engine cooling system;

With regard to running water, this washing method is the least effective, and can also cause additional scale formation. It is better to boil 10-15 liters of water in advance, and then pour boiled water into the system. A more benign option can be considered the use of distilled water, which is sold at gas stations or large hypermarkets. Some motorists also prefer to use distilled water from a pharmacy, citing the best quality.

In any case, the effectiveness of water flushing will be low and is only suitable for relatively clean systems, since boiling water is not able to remove most of the contaminants. If scale is found in the drained coolant or water after flushing, but there are no special cleaning agents at hand, then it is better to wash such deposits with acidified water. To solve the problem, a weak solution is required, which should consist of water, to which caustic soda, vinegar or lactic acid is added to choose from.

The solution should not be too active, that is, acid should be added to the water in moderation. Otherwise, there is a risk of damage to rubber and plastic components. Such a solution is poured into the cooling system and assumes being in the circuit for several hours (from 4 to 7), which depends on the degree of contamination.

For the first 2-3 hours, the engine with the filled composition must be warmed up at idle to operating temperatures, then turned off and waited for cooling. It is necessary that the heated acid solution remain in the system for at least 3 hours. Then the solution is drained, a new one is poured and the procedure is repeated. The completion of cleaning can be considered the draining of the solution, after which the final rinsing with distilled water is mandatory.

The most effective way to clean the engine cooling system from dirt is to purchase special tools. Acids are needed for descaling, while organic compounds and fats require an alkaline solution. Under normal conditions, an acid-base solution cannot be prepared, since acid and alkali are not compatible and neutralize each other. Also, alkalis and acids affect various elements in the system, which are made of rubber and plastic.

Taking into account these features, alkaline and acidic compounds are rather poorly represented on sale, since the risk of negative consequences is very high. The main reason is the increased aggressiveness towards rubber and plastic, as well as the need to neutralize and thoroughly flush the system after using such products.

Against this background, the so-called two-component cleaners of the engine cooling system are more popular. The package contains two compositions at once, alkaline and acidic. These compositions are alternately poured into a radiator or tank. Also in the kit there may be a flushing liquid-neutralizer.

The most expensive are neutral cleaners. Such products eliminate the negative consequences that occur after the use of water, acids and alkalis, they comprehensively combat various types of contaminants in the system: scale, organic deposits and fats. They can be used both for prevention during the next replacement of antifreeze, and for removing heavy contaminants.

These cleaners include:

active cleaning agents for the complex removal of contaminants;
dispersant packages that prevent deposits previously washed from the walls from re-adhering to surfaces and parts;
means for protecting rubber and plastic elements of the cooling system from exposure to acids and alkalis;
anti-corrosion components;

Finally, we add that the replacement of antifreeze should be treated with the same attention as the issue of replacing engine oil. Only timely replacement of the coolant and the use of high-quality coolant will keep the engine's liquid cooling system in good condition and clean.

"Normal heroes always go around"

It is enough to go to any car shop or kiosk of related products at service stations to make sure that there are all kinds of preparations designed to decompose, split, and disperse solid and jelly-like deposits formed inside the engine cooling system (SOD), with their subsequent removal. You can entrust this simple, but rather dirty procedure, to car service workers.

However, the domestic motorist is used to going his own way. Rightly believing that the basis of all internal layers are mineral (scale, rust) and organic substances (fats, oils, dirt), he uses various household and folk remedies. Here are some of them:

acetic acid or essence;
diluted citric, lactic or hydrochloric acids;
milk serum;
solutions of caustic or drinking soda;
means for cleaning toilet bowls "Duck";
Youth drink "Coca-Cola".

The last two names are the pinnacle of flushing "lifehacking". In order not to provoke the reader to use the "cleaners" listed above, those who are interested can find their recipe in other sources.

The use of funds not intended for car maintenance should be considered as a necessary measure. No one guarantees you the result of their use.

The composition of auto chemical products

The most effective method for cleaning SOD is the use of special acid- or alkali-based chemical fluids. Acids dissolve solid mechanical components (lime deposits and corrosion products), and alkalis dissolve the organic component (fat and oil deposits). At the same time, the simultaneous combination of alkali and acid in the cleaning product is impossible, since they neutralize each other.

In addition, these chemicals are aggressive towards rubber and plastic, which requires additional neutralization after their application, followed by flushing of the entire system. Therefore, compositions on a purely acidic or alkaline basis are extremely rare on sale.

Most often, preparations for washing SOD are two-component - including a separate bottle of acid and alkaline cleaner in the kit. Sometimes a neutralizing flushing component is added to them.

Neutral "cleaners" are among the most expensive means. Successfully removing various types of contaminants, both fatty and mineral deposits, at the same time they do not adversely affect the non-metallic elements of SOD. They are used not only for major cleaning of the system, but also for preventive purposes during the next coolant change. Neutral formulations include:

substances of active action for complex cleaning of pollution;
dispersant additives that exclude the possibility of re-adherence of washed particles to the surrounding surface;
protective agents for plastic and rubber from the effects of acids and alkalis;
anti-corrosion components.

Choice of drug

Before buying a flushing agent, it is necessary to determine the predominant nature of the coolant contamination. When inorganic components (scale, products of corrosion and oxidation of metals) predominate, a white precipitate with a hint of rust is observed under the cap of the radiator tank or expander. For this case, choose an acid cleaner based on phosphoric acid or its phosphates.

Organic pollution (decomposition products of antifreeze, oil, dirt) gives out a cloudy color of antifreeze. To remove them, you must use an alkaline detergent. Along with the main elements: surface-active substances (surfactants), a regulator of the acid-base balance of pH, the preparation must contain complexing additives that promote intensive dissolution and removal of mud residues.

It is good when the composition contains anti-corrosion inhibitors that protect parts made of metal. Finally, for water-based rinses, deionized water should be used and labeled accordingly on the packaging. Ordinary water contains salts that cause the appearance of limestone formations.

Tip: when choosing a specific means for flushing the cooling system, consider the condition of the radiator, other devices and the fluid to be replaced.

What to look for when buying

When choosing a liquid in the store for the upcoming flushing of the engine cooling system, special attention should be paid to the following issues:

Product cost. The temptingly low amount on the price tag is most likely a consequence of the manufacturer's savings on active substances.
Content volume. The optimal packaging capacity is 0.3 - 0.5 liters. Moreover, the higher the density of the composition, the more active-useful substances it contains. Therefore, among washes of the same volume, heavier ones are preferable.
Cleanup duration. Too short a washout period (2 to 5 minutes) should alert. Perhaps this is an incorrect promise, and the system will not be flushed enough, which will devalue the time and money spent in vain. It is possible that the composition is overly aggressive, and can damage some parts. You can check the second assumption by immersing a piece of aluminum in washing. The appearance of bubbles indicates excessive chemical activity of the solution. In this case, the instruction should contain an indication of the need to rinse with water at the end of the SOD procedure.
The presence of sediment at the bottom of the vial. At normal temperature, the consistency of the solution should be homogeneous, without any secretions. Otherwise, they can also appear inside the cooling circuit.
A good preparation after shaking should not form foam. Its presence in the system after draining the detergent will cause a certain amount of cleaner to enter the freshly poured cooling antifreeze, which will degrade its properties.

Overview of some brands

Wynn's Cooling System Flush

Powerful acid-free Belgian cleaner. In addition to rust and scale, it dissolves oil secretions, dirt, does not affect rubber elements and metal parts. It has the most effective effect when washing old deposits. The capacity of the jar is 325 ml, the price is from 250 to 300 rubles.

Bardahl Cooling System Fast Flush

The French Fast Rinse acts on various types of residues formed: scale, oxidation products, salt formation and colloidal compositions. Wash fluid ingredients loosen deposits by breaking molecular bonds. Flushing is recommended for all types of coolant: C, D, as well as universal and special. The capacity of the can is 0.5 liters, the drug costs about 450 rubles.

LIQUI MOLY Kuhler Reiniger

This cooling system cleaner represents German products on the Russian market. Due to the absence of aggressive acids and alkalis, the product does not have a destructive effect on plastic and rubber elements. The average price of a jar of 0.3 liters is around 485 rubles.

HI GEAR 7 minutes Radiator Flush

Thanks to the concentrated formula, the American drug removes all possible consequences of the life of SOD: rust, scale, grease, antifreeze, even in a neglected situation. The absence of acids eliminates the need for neutralization. The product is compatible with common materials used by all global car manufacturers. A metal can with a capacity of 325 ml costs 350 - 500 rubles.

LAVR Radiator Flush 2 in 1

Two-component set of Russian production. Consists of separate acidic and alkaline solvents. Composition No. 1 on an acid basis dissolves lime formations and oxides, and special elements ensure that the latter are maintained in a dispersed state. A novelty are protective components that create a buffer phosphate film that protects parts of the cooling system from acid attack.

Alkaline composition No. 2 dissolves organic excretions and neutralizes the effects of an acidic environment. Experts recognize this drug as the safest, and its use for cleaning especially neglected SOD is the most effective. With a capacity of 0.33 liters per can, the set costs about 525 rubles.

Flushing the cooling system is not necessary occasionally. This procedure is recommended to be performed at the next coolant change or every two years.

So, if you want your engine to always be clean, cool and agile, coolant changes should be given the same attention as engine oil changes. In order for the antifreeze to retain its qualities longer, before pouring a fresh portion, it is necessary to flush the engine cooling system from the remnants of the old fluid. The best means for this procedure are special factory-made flushing preparations.

With constant use of the car, the cooling system becomes clogged over time. Plaque forms on the conductive tubes, deposits of various substances appear and the engine ceases to fully cool. This happens because this very plaque has limited thermal conductivity and cooling is simply physically impossible through its layer. Plaque forms for various reasons, but in general terms it can be said that this is the same scale that appears in the kettle after boiling. In addition to low thermal conductivity, another negative effect is the narrowing of the tube diameters. Over time, the coolant itself changes its chemical properties, which gives one more minus in the form of additional deposits. The engine stops cooling normally even when the radiator is clogged with dust and debris. Together, all this leads to a decrease in the service life of the unit, and, in the end, to “boiling”, which is already fraught with a major overhaul.

There are a number of signs by which it becomes clear that it is time to flush the system:

the pump does not work well;
coolant temperature sensor shows unusual values;
the engine overheats;
cold or slightly warm air comes out of the stove vents.

It is recommended to flush the system once a year, and if the car is new, it can be done less often, but in general, it is ideal with every coolant change. This is done either in a specialized service, or independently. There is nothing complicated in this procedure.

Washing methods

The system is flushed in various ways. For this, either water (highly preferably distilled), a self-prepared solution, or special chemical liquids sold in any car shop are used. It is recommended to put the car on the site, it is allowed to install the front part a little higher than the rear. A container is placed under the bottom of the car into which the coolant will drain. To begin with, the radiator cap is unscrewed and everything that is poured in there is poured out. Next, you need to unscrew the cap of the expansion tank and the plug located on the engine itself. This can only be done when the car is completely cool, otherwise burns are possible. Immediately after this, it is possible and even necessary to clean the outer part of the radiator from dust and dirt. If the radiator is heavily contaminated, it can be flushed with Karcher or purged with a compressor, if any.

Flushing the cooling system with water is not the best way. It can only be used if the car is new and the used antifreeze is not very dirty. It is worth using distilled water, since ordinary water contains salts and other contaminants, which in the end can only make things worse. Well, in the very, very extreme case, you can try to rinse with boiled water. The procedure looks like this: water is poured into the radiator, then the car starts and runs until the fan turns on. The engine is turned off, the machine cools down, the water is drained, then the procedure is repeated until the drained liquid becomes completely transparent. It will not hurt to blow the system with a compressor before filling the antifreeze, if possible. The method has disadvantages: the formation of a new scale is possible, besides, ordinary water simply cannot dissolve the pollution.

Acidified water is next in terms of washing quality. It is reasonable to use it on Soviet and Russian cars with high mileage, as it is a cheap and affordable way to flush. At the same time, citric acid or vinegar is used. It is also possible to use caustic soda or lactic acid.

It is best to use, of course, citric acid, because of its availability. The calculation is something like this: one hundred to two hundred grams of acid is added per liter of water. It is not worth putting more, as plastic parts may be damaged if the consumption is too concentrated.

It is washed in the following order: the prepared solution is poured into the system, the engine starts and runs until the fan turns on (in the same way as when washing with plain water). Then the car is left for several hours, the water is drained and a new solution is poured. Everything, as always, is washed until clean water comes out. After the end of the procedure, you can fill in distilled water, and, without warming up the engine, drain it. This will flush out any remaining acids.

Some car enthusiasts flush debris out of the cooling system of regular Coca-Cola. Indeed, it perfectly removes scale due to the huge content of phosphoric acid in it. But the sugar content in it is also huge, so in this way you can simply completely clog the system. In addition, the drink is carbonated, respectively, there may be consequences for the engine due to expanding gases.

In a word, this method is suitable only for those who do not feel sorry for their car at all. It will work, but with unpredictable consequences. Flushing with liquids for washing toilets can be attributed to the same ambiguous method. A prerequisite after using such aggressive products is a final rinse with water.

The best way is, of course, the use of special tools designed specifically for this procedure. They are divided into several classes - alkaline, acidic, two-component or neutral. This separation occurred because different types of pollution are washed in different ways. For example, acid will perfectly dissolve scale and deposits, and alkali will dissolve antifreeze residues. But these two connections cannot be interconnected, so only one is used. Two-component liquids work in turn: first one pours, then the second. Such a solution is quite effective, although it is more expensive. The process is similar to the previous methods - liquid is poured, the car starts, warms up, the system “drives” it in a large circle. The only difference is that the label will most often indicate the engine operation time required for complete cleaning. Then the “chemistry” merges and, depending on the resulting effect, the procedure is either repeated or antifreeze is immediately poured. All kinds of alkalis and oxidizing agents are never included in neutral solutions, but due to their special chemical composition, they cope with their functions quite well.

There is another class of special fluids based on the catalytic process. Such funds can simply be added to antifreeze for prevention purposes. It is very convenient to flush such a liquid: just pour it into the expansion tank and continue driving as usual. In this case, all substances will dissolve completely and you can be sure that the radiator tubes will not clog with motes and residues. In fact, this method is the simplest, and besides, it does not cause any harm to the engine.

A quick and quite effective method in some cases is forced flushing. At the same time, pressurized water is supplied to the system and washed until the water that comes from the engine plug becomes transparent. This method has all the same disadvantages as washing with hot water, however, if you need to rinse quickly, this is not the worst solution.

After all procedures, regardless of the option chosen, an air lock may appear. This is easily solved - part of the car is jacked up, or simply driven onto a small hillock. If it doesn’t help, it will be enough to disconnect the throttle pipe and the plug will immediately dissolve.

Myths about flushing the cooling system

Often on specialized forums, in conversations and even when consulting in a store, you can hear a number of myths:

liquid is filled when the engine is turned on. This must not be done, the unit may be damaged;
never wash at all. Also not true, this will become clearly visible after you look at the drained dirty liquid;
special liquids are just a marketing ploy and a way to make money. No, rather it refers to washing with ordinary water;
pressure flushing can be done with the engine running. A great way to "ditch" the car.

Results

There is only one conclusion from all of the above - self-flushing of the engine is absolutely no difficulty and is done without the presence of any special tools. The implementation of this task is available even to a beginner, while you should not listen to the sometimes very harmful advice of all kinds of garage "professionals". And one of the obvious advantages of this procedure is the normal operation of the cooling system and an increase in engine life, so flushing is quite justified in terms of time and labor costs to “divorce” you for money.