A heater radiator malfunction can be a rather unpleasant surprise for a car driver, especially in winter. And the point here is not so much in comfort as in security. Frosted glass can be cleaned from the outside, but it is unlikely to get rid of fogging and frost on their inner surface without warm air. And riding with a limited review is a rather risky occupation.
One of the common reasons why warm air either does not flow at all, or weakly enters the cabin, is because the heater radiator is clogged. This phenomenon is familiar to most of our motorists, so they learned how to deal with it.
In this article we will talk about how and how to rinse the radiator of the stove without removing it from the car, and with dismantling, and also consider what means can be used for this.
How to understand that the reason is in the radiator
It is not difficult to diagnose a heater obstruction, especially if you are sure that the water pump (pump) is working properly and the coolant (coolant) circulates in the system in normal mode. Warm the car engine to operating temperature, open the stove faucet and touch the inlet and outlet pipes of the radiator with your hand. If the difference in their temperature is noticeable, then the coolant does not enter the heater or does not come in full.
Next, you need to make sure that the problem is not in the radiator tap, since it also often fails. But if the faucet does not flow and closes normally, it opens, most likely it is working, and the problem is in the heater.
When diagnosing the obstruction of the radiator of the stove, it is easiest to contact a service station, tell specialists about the trouble, and they will fix everything themselves. This is much easier than washing the radiator on the stove yourself, but more expensive and longer. Is it worth it to spend if a similar problem can be solved on your own, spending thirty minutes and several tens of rubles on this? To do this, of course, you need to know how to clean and rinse the car's stove at home. But first, we will understand the causes of the malfunction.
Why is the radiator clogged
The obstruction of the heater radiator is due to layering on the inner surface of its tubes of scale and dirt. The reason for this may be:
- long-term operation without prevention;
- the use of low-quality coolants;
- untimely replacement of coolant;
- the use of water as a coolant, especially with a high salt content;
- ingress of oil, fuel, dirt into the system.
What is the essence of cleaning the radiator of the stove
The heater cleaning process can be carried out by two methods: washing the radiator of the stove with and without removing it from the car. In both cases, the procedure consists in pouring into it a chemically active substance capable of dissolving scale, and then, preferably under pressure, rinse it, thus expelling all dissolved dirt. Consider both options.
How to rinse the radiator of the stove without removing it
Cleaning the heater without dismantling it can be carried out using special compounds for cleaning the cooling system, as well as improvised means that can be found in your kitchen. Moreover, the latter in some cases are more effective than professional fluids.
How to rinse the radiator of the stove without removing it from the car? Practice shows that of the available tools, the following cope best with this task:
- hot citric acid solution;
- caustic soda solution;
- various powders and liquids for cleaning sewer pipes such as "Comet", "Tiret", "Mole", etc .;
- milk serum;
- drinks Coca-Cola, Fanta, Sprite.
Choosing how to rinse the radiator of the stove without removing it, the preference, of course, is better to give to professional means. But if none were found, use household ones. But here you also need to consider some nuances.
What heater than rinse
In automobiles, radiators made of copper-brass alloy and aluminum are used. These metals react differently to acid and alkali. Remember: aluminum radiator must not be washed with alkaline solutions, and copper - acid. If you make a mistake, you can significantly aggravate the situation. Therefore, before washing the stove on a car, you need to find out what material it is made of.
Universal remedies can be drinks such as Coca-Cola and whey. The first acts more rigidly and is able to dissolve anything, and the second, on the contrary, has a soft effect on the metal, but its effectiveness does not decrease from this.
How to wash the radiator of the stove removed from the car
If you still decide to remove the heater for cleaning, then the best way to restore it is to rinse under running water, for example, in the bathroom. But for starters, it is advisable to pour some active liquid inside it at least for an hour, corresponding to its material. To do this, one of the nozzles should be plugged with something, and pour solution into the second until the radiator is full. After an hour or two, we drain the liquid, and the heater is thoroughly washed, sending a stream of water into one of its nozzles. When clean water begins to flow from another nozzle, the procedure can be completed.
The method of cleaning the heater with its dismantling is advantageous in that it makes it possible to clean it also from the outside, while washing the radiator of the stove without removing it can only be done from the inside. Very often, its lamellas turn out to be so polluted that the free circulation of air between them deteriorates significantly. This can lead to a violation of heat transfer and overheating of the system.
How to wash the stove without removing the radiator
Now we will figure out how to clean the heater without dismantling. To do this, we need a Phillips screwdriver, washing liquid, two hoses with a diameter suitable for radiator pipes, a clean bucket and a watering can.
Coolant can be drained from the system, or you can not drain it. In the second case, coolant will also be required for topping up, since during the process, in any case, losses can not be avoided. Consider the option without draining the coolant.
First, turn off the heater tap. In the engine compartment of the car we find the inlet and outlet pipes of the radiator. Using a screwdriver, release the screw on the clamp, pressing the hose to the inlet pipe. We disconnect the hose and immediately plug it or bend it. We do the same with the second pipe, only we immediately put on another hose prepared in advance. We display it under the bottom of the car and lower it into a clean container. Opening the heater tap, drain the coolant. When she escapes, we bend the output hose.
We connect a hose with a watering can to the inlet pipe and begin to pour the active solution into the radiator. When the heater is full, let it sip for an hour or two. Next, drain the solution, and pour the cleaning liquid into the watering can in such a way as to rinse the radiator. This may require 5-10 liters of solution. After washing, spill everything with clean water.
To determine the patency of the heater, you can blow into the hose and, focusing on the resistance to air flow, determine its condition. If necessary, the washing procedure can be repeated.
At the end of cleaning, we install hoses to the radiator. Add coolant to the system to the required level.
A few tips to help keep the radiator clean
- Do not add cheap coolant or water to the cooling system. To find the right fluid for your car engine, use the manufacturer's manual and tips.
- In no case do not mix antifreeze with antifreeze, and vice versa. These two liquids react with each other, forming a precipitate.
- Replace the coolant in time in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations.
- Pay attention to the condition of the radiator hoses of the heater, and also check the operability of its faucet.
- Do not allow oil, fuel, or other liquids to enter the cooling system.