The Cooling System

A cooling system is needed to dissipate excess heat created during the internal combustion process.

Cooling system maintenance is preventive maintenance done to avoid an overheating situation and to avoid electrolysis (the breakdown of metals that occurs inside the engine block). Cooling system maintenance mileage varies by make and model. ln some cases, maintenance is necessary before the mileage indicated in the owner's manual. For example, if the manufacturer's recommendation is a coolant flush at 150,000 miles, it could quickly need to be flushed before that. If the coolant is low then there may be a leak. Leaks can occur at the water pump, heater core, hoses, radiator, and at multiple locations throughout the engine.

The coolant is inspected at every oil change (about every 5,000 miles) and when it is found to be dirty then a cooling system flush is necessary. Typically the coolant gets dirty when non-distilled water is mixed with it. The impurities in the water cause corrosion (breakdown of the metals in the engine), which collect with coolant. This can clog the radiator and cooling passages. That is why coolant is mixed with distilled water where these impurities are absent.

When checking the coolant at home, be sure never to open the radiator while the engine is hot. 

How to flush the cooling system:

· Refer to the owner’s manual for the locations of each part of the cooling system

· Open the radiator drain to drain the cooling system and collect the drainage into a container (you can take this to your local auto parts store for recycling)

· Remove the thermostat. The thermostat is typically on the engine side of the upper radiator hose, but in some cases, it’s on the lower hose.

· Disconnect the lower radiator hose, and force coolant through the thermostat housing (upper hose and engine block) with a garden hose until the water runs clear

· Connect the garden hose to the radiator, and flush water through the radiator until the water runs clear.

· Completely drain the cooling system of all the water.

• Reinstall the thermostat

· Disconnect the reservoir and flush it with the garden hose until the water runs clear. Completely drain the reservoir.

· Connect the hoses and close the drains.

· Fill the cooling system with new coolant to the manufacturer's specification and distilled water. Use a 50/50 mixture of coolant and distilled water or pre-mixed coolant.

Flushing the cooling system will not correct an overheating concern. if your vehicle is overheating, (as indicated on the temperature gauge on the dash), it would need to be diagnosed and repaired.

Any time you open the cooling system and put it back together you want to pressure test the cooling system to check for any leaks. You can use a pressure tester which can be rented from an auto parts store. it will come with instructions. Generally, it attaches to the radiator where the radiator cap goes, and you pump it by hand until the pressure on the gauge matches the pressure that is written on top of the radiator cap. Typically on a modern vehicle, this pressure is between 13 - 16 psi. Let the vehicle sit with this pressure for 20 - 30 minutes. Then inspect the entire cooling system for any leaks and check the gauge for a change in pressure. lf there is less pressure than before then there is probably a leak.