First, make sure the engine is cold. A high-temperature engine means that the water tank is full of high-temperature coolant with extremely high pressure-it may burn if the cover of the water tank is opened. Cold water can also damage high-temperature engines.
Step 2- Clean the water tank
Open and firmly secure the hood to avoid accidental sliding. Then, gently wipe off the dead insects and debris collected on the grid of the water tank with a nylon brush and soapy water. Be sure to scrub along the direction of the radiator of the water tank, not in reverse, because the metal is fragile and easy to bend and deform. After cleaning the grille, introduce a gentle stream of water from the hose above the grille to ensure that all debris has been completely removed.
Although you only flush the water tank every two years, it is a good idea to clean the water tank grille every 65,438+02,000 miles or so.
Step 3- Place the drain pan
It is very important to discharge waste coolant correctly. Coolant is highly toxic, but sweet, which will attract children and animals. Don't leave it unattended and don't leave it on the ground. Make sure not to use the drain pan for any kitchen purpose-disposable drain pan is an ideal choice. The drain pan should also be small enough to fit under your car.
After finding a suitable drain pan, slide it under the car and put it in the center of the water tank drain valve (also known as the drain plug).
Step 4- Check the water tank cover
As the cover of the water tank, the water tank cover seals and pressurizes the coolant in the water tank to keep the engine cool. The coolant pressure varies with the engine, and the pressure grade is marked on the top of the cover itself.
The wat tank cover include a spring ring extending between a flat metal at that top and a small sealing rub at the bottom. The tension between the spring and the sealing rubber is the key to keep the cover pressure. Therefore, if they can be easily compressed, it means that the water tank cover is worn and should be replaced. Another phenomenon of replacing the water tank cover is corrosion or drying of the sealing rubber. Generally speaking, the water tank cover should be replaced at least once every two years, so when flushing the water tank, you can make it a part of your daily life. Remember, different fuel tanks have different pressure levels, so be sure to keep these levels in your vehicle record.
Step 5- Check clips and hoses
The next step is to check the rubber hose and clamp of the water tank. There are two hoses: one at the top of the water tank for discharging the high-temperature coolant in the engine, and the other at the bottom for circulating the cooled coolant to the engine. The water tank must be drained to facilitate the replacement of hoses, so please check them before flushing the engine. In this way, if you find broken or leaking hoses or clips that look rusty, you can replace them before refilling the water tank. Soft and thick atherosclerosis marks indicate that you need a new hose. If you find that there is only one hose with these marks, please replace two.
Step 6- Drain the old coolant
The water tank drain valve (or drain plug) should have an easy-to-open handle. Just unscrew the screw plug (please wear work gloves-the coolant is toxic) and let the coolant flow into the water tray placed under the car in step 4. After draining all the coolant, replace the screw plug and put the old coolant into a sealable container prepared by you nearby. Then put the drain pan under the playback oil plug.
Step 7- Flush the water tank
Now, you are ready to perform the actual flushing! Just pick up your garden hose, insert the nozzle into the filler of the water tank and let it flow fully. Then open the screw plug and let the water drain into the drain pan. Repeat the above steps until the water flow is clean, and make sure that all the water used in the flushing process is put into a sealable container, just like the old coolant. At this time, replace any worn clips and hoses if necessary.
Step 8- Add Coolant
The ideal coolant consists of 50% antifreeze and 50% water. Distilled water should be used, because minerals in tap water will change the properties of coolant and make it unable to work normally. You can mix the ingredients in a clean container in advance, or you can inject them directly. Most water tanks can hold about two gallons of coolant, so it is easy to judge the amount you need.
Step 9- Vent the air from the cooling system.
Finally, the air trapped in the cooling system needs to be exhausted. Open the water tank cover (to avoid pressure accumulation), start the engine and let it run for about 15 minutes. Then turn on your heater and turn it to high temperature. This circulates the coolant and dispels any trapped air in it. Once the air is pumped away, the space it occupies will disappear, leaving a small amount of coolant space, which can be replenished now. However, please be careful, the air released from the water tank will come out, which is quite hot.
Then install the return tank cover and wipe off the excess coolant with a rag.
Step 10- cleaning and discarding
Check the screw plug for any leakage or overflow, and discard rags, old clips and hoses, and disposable drip trays. Now you are almost finished. Proper disposal of used coolant is as important as disposal of used engine oil. Again, the taste and color of the old coolant are particularly attractive to children. Please don't leave it unattended.