Airlock Symptoms – How to Clean Car Cooling System?

A vehicle’s cooling system depends on a quality coolant system that has been tested in outrageous temperatures and is free from any dust particle that could affect its performance. In easy language, it is important to clean and refill the cooling system at proper time or mileage intervals. This ensures that you don’t face any symptoms of an airlock in a car cooling system.

In case your car’s coolant is going downhill, your vehicle has piled up the miles, or you’ve seen some changes in the colour and consistency of the coolant/antifreeze in the supply, it’s an ideal opportunity to flush the cooling system and supplant the old liquid. Before you jump at how much that will cost at your nearby service centre, we’re here to offer viable direction and guidance on how to clean a car cooling system.

If you look at the current car engines, they are loaded with aluminium components. The reason is that aluminium needs superb corrosion protection to survive. If you want your car to cool itself efficiently, make sure your car’s engine component is in good working condition.

Symptoms of an airlock in car cooling system

Overheating is a sure sign that something is wrong with your car’s cooling system. However, other reasons can be telling you to get your car’s cooling system checked.

1. Radiator leakage or losing coolant quickly can too be a result of your worn-out cooling system. Get aircon repair by professionals.
2. Heater not functioning properly can be a sign of the car’s cooling system being damaged.
3. Sometimes your car’s performance is reduced due to a defective or damaged car cooling system. Make sure you consult for a car cooling system with your nearest provider.
4. Leakage or overheating is an alarming sign for you to get your car’s cooling system fixed.

| Also Read: How to Troubleshoot an Overheating Car? |

How Does Antifreeze Keep Your Car Cool?

A simple water pump circulates a mixture of water and antifreeze between the radiator and the engine of your car. This coolant mixture heats up as it starts circulating to your engine. Later, the water pump moves the heated coolant through the upper radiator hose and then into the radiator. It is, therefore, the heat exchanger filled with metal tubes.

This makes it altogether more important to select the right coolant for your car. The heat is drawn away from the fins attached to the metal radiator and then dumped into the air drawn via the radiator and the forward motion of your car.

The coolant circulates within the engine when it’s cold so that the engine warms it up faster. It also heats up a temperature-sensitive valve known as a thermostat that works at 195 degrees Fahrenheit to let your car coolant flow through the radiator.

Also Read: Car Aircon Cleaning: Best 10 Car Air Conditioning Maintenance Tips

How to Clean the Car Cooling System?

Through these easy and effective steps, you can successfully change your car’s cooling system. However, if you are finding any difficulty, you can always consult your nearest car service centre.

Step 1: Preparation

It is important to let your car’s engine cool down before starting, Make sure to drain the old coolant as well as clean the expansion tank. If you find it heavily soiled, replace it with a new one. Due to environmental reasons, dispose the waste liquid responsibly.

Step 2: Flush the Cooler

Remove the upper and lower radiator hoses safely on the radiator. Make sure you clean the lower radiator thoroughly from top to bottom for about two minutes with the radiator cap closed. To increase the effectiveness, administer short pulses of air into the system. Flush the upper radiator hose from top to bottom until the outflowing water is clear and all the dirt has been removed.

Step 3: Flush the Engine Block

The next step is to remove the radiator hose. With the help of an effective cooling circuit flushing tool, clean and flush the upper radiator hose until the outflowing water is clear. Ensure that all the deposits have been removed. Remember that short pulsating air blows help in increasing the effectiveness of the rinsing process.

Step 4: Flush the Heat Exchanger

Try flushing out the circuit to the heat exchanger until the overflowing water is clear. Flushing the radiator, heat exchanger, and engine block helps in getting rid of all the deposits of corrosion from your cooling system. Limestone and silicone seal residue accumulate over years and permanently impair the functionality of your car system.

Step 5: Refill the system

This is the last step where you need to reattach all the hoses, drain valve and thermostat. Make sure they have been properly connected with each other. After this, you can refill your cooling system with the coolant specified by the manufacturer of your vehicle. It is important to check the mixing ratio with a refractometer.

Answering some FAQs

Now that you have learned how to clean your car’s cooling system, it is important for us to answer some of your frequently asked questions.

Can vinegar be used to flush your radiator?

Yes, vinegar works really well in removing buildups on your radiator. Due to their mildly acidic nature, it is safe to use on all metals. For those who do not want to pay someone for flushing your radiator, try using vinegar. This will definitely get your car’s radiator back on track.

Can flushing a radiator cause problems?

A radiator flush is going to remove any rust, dirt, corrosion or contaminants in the radiator. If you do not flush it thoroughly, it can clog up the cooling system as well as your radiator.

How to know if you need a coolant flush?

If your car’s engine is frequently overheating and the temperature gauge is always high, there is a fair chance of you being in need of a coolant flush. Letting your car engine overheat can cause a serious problem. It can also be expensive.

Is it okay to clean your radiator with baking soda?

You might be surprised but no matter how bad your radiator is, cleaning your vehicle radiator with baking soda will help it get rid of any clogged pores, rust and contamination very smoothly.

For the best result, make sure to consult a service provider as they are well aware of how to clean a car cooling system. However, if you are still willing to do it yourself- try out the above-mentioned step. It is easy and effective to perform. Make sure you never allow your car’s engine to overheat to avoid any future problems. This can cause a huge impact on your pocket. Follow the instructions thoroughly for the cooling system cleaning process to go smoothly.