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How to Clean Your Car's Radiator Yourself

Model: (Various brands) Various
Part: Radiator

In this video, we see how to wash the radiator yourself: start by disconnecting the lowest hose of the cooling system and let the fluid drain into a container (dispose of it at an authorised centre). Try to remove as much dirt and scale as possible from the hoses and radiator, then reconnect the hose. Pour some distilled water into the system. For the quantity, consult the user and maintenance manual; then start the engine and let it run at idle for 10 to 15 minutes, then turn it off and let it cool down for at least an hour. Disconnect the lowest hose again and let the distilled water drain into a container. This too should be disposed of at an authorised centre. If the water coming out is dirty, the procedure must be repeated. When the water coming out is clean, you can fill it with coolant; but if the hoses were very dirty, use a specific cleaning additive, then start the engine and let it run at idle for the time indicated for the product; then let it drain and wait for the engine to cool down. When it is completely cold, you can fill the system with coolant.

Updated on 9 September 2026 by ScegliAuto

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by ScegliAuto

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