Even if you encounter trouble on the side of the road and need to simply add water before reaching a repair shop, wait until your engine cools. This prevents the possibility of being burned or cracking your engine block. If you find that you need to add more liquid, wait until the engine has cooled down. If you own an older vehicle, your car may not have a coolant reservoir, so in order to check your coolant levels you will have to open the cap on the radiator itself. Some of these coolant reservoirs are pressurized and have a radiator pressure cap that can seem to “pop” off when you’re opening the reservoir tank. Remember to use a 50/50 mixture every time. These aluminum cylinder heads require the anticorrosive properties found in your antifreeze. The reason for this is because most modern engines have cylinder heads comprised of aluminum. Never add only water to your coolant system except in an emergency. Check the side of your bottle of coolant to see if you have premixed or if you will need to add water yourself. A premixed solution is recommended to ensure the proper percentages of both water and antifreeze are present. If the liquid doesn’t reach the “Full” indicator line, open the cap of the reservoir and add a 50/50 mix of water and coolant until it does. This reservoir tank is part of the coolant recovery system. First, check to see whether the liquid reaches the “Full” indicator line on the side of the coolant reservoir tank. You don’t always need to open the cap on the radiator. Having a low amount of antifreeze can cause your engine to overheat or freeze up, costing you big bucks in the long run, so make sure to check these levels every 2 to 3 months. You want to make sure that your vehicle has the proper amount of antifreeze at all times. If it is mixed correctly (a 50/50 mix of antifreeze and water is ideal), the ethylene glycol can keep your radiator fluid from freezing even in temperatures reaching as low as 30 degrees below zero and also keep those fluids from boiling in temperatures reaching as high as 275 degrees Fahrenheit. The main ingredient in the coolant used today is ethylene glycol. Antifreeze also serves as a lubricant for the moving parts it comes in contact with, such as the water pump.Antifreeze also keeps that same water from boiling over in hot temperatures.Antifreeze keeps the water in your radiator and engine from freezing in cold temperatures.Antifreeze can also be called coolant and can come in a variety of different colors. Be careful, as the fluid can become extremely hot to the touch.The Basics of Antifreeze and Why Your Car Needs It What Is Antifreeze?Īntifreeze is the colored liquid found in your radiator. Once the bubbles stop, check to see if there are any leaks and take the car for a test drive.You’ll likely need to squeeze and release the hoses to remove any trapped air bubbles in the hoses as the car cycles the new fluid through the engine and radiator. Start the car with the radiator cap still off.Reconnect all the hoses to the new radiator.Remove the tape from the hose that housed the old thermostat and replace it with the new one.Insert the new radiator and bolt it back into place.Install the fan bracketry on the new radiator.Remove the fan bracketry from the old radiator.Holding the top of the radiator, remove the top nuts and bolts holding it in.Find the bracketry holding the blown radiator in place and remove the bottom nuts and bolts first.Some cars have fans mounted to the radiator, so you’ll need to disconnect the fans.Plug the holes by taping over the outlets.Once drained, remove the remaining hoses connecting the radiator to the rest of the engine.Drain what’s left of the coolant from the radiator into a bucket by loosening the hose clamp near the base of the radiator or unscrewing the drain plug.Let the car rest and cool for 5-10 minutes.
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