There are many critical parts that keep your vehicle running smoothly and reliably. Chief among them is your engine cooling system. This ensures your engine doesn’t run too hot—leading to catastrophic damage—or too cold—meaning no heat for you inside the car.
So if you have ever wondered, “Do I need a coolant flush?,” the answer is “Yes!” This one preventive maintenance service is critical to your radiator, hoses, the water pump and the coolant passages in the engine block.
What is Coolant?
Coolant is a product that works in several ways. First, it prevents the engine from overheating and causing damage. It also contains antifreeze, so when the temperatures dip down, it protects the engine coolant from freezing. For many years, antifreeze or coolant was only checked for two things: Its freezing point and boiling point. But now, we also need to check the coolant for its anti-corrosive properties, which prevent parts like your radiator or water pump from rusting or corroding from the inside-out.
Do I Need a Coolant Flush?
As coolant gets older, it can become acidic. And acidic coolant can corrode aluminum engine components like your radiator, water pump, cylinder head, engine block and heater core. Once those parts corrode, it is a considerable expense to repair.
The photo in this article shows circular pits, like craters, that were caused by acidic coolant. This is the thermostat housing, and the pits are at the point where the radiator hose would connect to it.
Many years ago, your coolant or radiator fluid needed to be flushed every year. But since the mid-80s, most cars have come from the factory with “long-life” coolant, which means they sometimes can go for as many as 5 years without having the coolant flushed. This is just a rule of thumb, however, and at My Mechanic, we have test strips that measure the acidity and protection levels of the coolant in your car. We also use an optical refractor to test the boiling point and freezing point of your antifreeze. This ensures we don’t change the fluid too often or that we don’t wait too long in between service intervals.
Our Job at My Mechanic
When it’s time for a coolant flush, we first drain and flush the radiator with water. Then we fill the cooling system with NEW coolant using specialized equipment that not only fills the system, but also evacuates the air from the system. This is very important because if air is trapped, it can lead to overheating problems or it can cause the heating system to not work correctly. Trapped air can also cause a fluctuating temperature gauge.
Our Rule of Thumb for Radiator Hoses
As a general rule, we also recommend replacing the radiator hoses if your car is 8 years or older. In our experience, we typically see hoses starting to deteriorate at the 8-year mark.
Even if the hoses are not showing signs of leaking, bulging or cracking, the sheer age is enough to be a hazard. If you’re planning a road trip or are driving during extreme hot or cold temperatures, older hoses put you at risk for a breakdown. In the summer heat, for example, cooling systems build up a lot of pressure due to high temperatures, increasing the risk of a coolant hose failing. If that happens, you’ll likely end up at the side of the road waiting for a tow truck.
Because new radiator hoses are relatively inexpensive, we believe it makes more sense to eliminate the risk.
Preventive Maintenance is Key to Keeping Your Vehicle Reliable
When it comes to extending the life of your car and reducing costly repairs, preventive maintenance is vital. At My Mechanic, we’re dedicated to keeping your vehicle well maintained and ensuring you and your family are safe when out on the road. If your vehicle is older and you’re not sure about the condition of your coolant or radiator hoses, we invite you in to have our expert technicians inspect them for you. Contact us today to ensure that everything under your hood is running smoothly and safely.
