Cooling System Inspection and Maintenance

ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM
Inspect the hoses and have them replaced it they are cracked, swollen or deteriorated. Inspect all pipes, fittings and clamps; replace as needed.

WARNING: NEVER spray water on a hot radiator. The resulting steam could cause personal injury.

It is important that the radiator and condenser are kept clean for proper cooling. Cleaning and a pressure test of the cooling system and pressure cap is recommended at least once a year.

Compressed air or water can be used to clean the radiator fins. Do NOT exceed 138 kPa (20 psi). Pressure over 138 kPa (20 psi) will damage the radiator.

Check the outside of the radiator for bent fins or signs of leakage. Do NOT temporarily seal the cooling system with a sealer type antifreeze or coolant additive.

Remove any stones from between the fins. Clean loose debris and road film from the radiator core with a quality grease solvent and compressed air. For a more efficient cleaning, direct the stream of solvent at the front of the core. Remove the radiator grille, the fan guard, and the fan shroud in order to ensure a thorough cleaning.

Remove the radiator cap and look for plugging and scale on the inside of the tank. Replace a badly plugged radiator.

Check the coolant level. If the level is low, add the recommended coolant as required.

Check the condition of the radiator hose clamps. Tighten the clamps if any leakage is seen. Replace the clamps if you see the following conditions:

^ Cracked clamps.
^ Stripped clamps.
^ Corroded clamps.

Check the radiator hoses for cracking or for a spongy appearance. Replace deteriorated hoses or bursting could occur, resulting in coolant loss and extensive damage from overheating. Check the radiator core for leaks and for accumulation of dirt that could obstruct the air passages and reduce heat transfer.

Check the coolant recovery reservoir for leaks. Inspect the radiator rubber mountings and bumpers for deterioration. Replace these as necessary. Check the mounting bolts, the supports, and the braces. Also, check for damage to the radiator core, the side flanges, and the supporting components.

Check for clearance between the fan blade, the core, and the shroud. Check the fan attaching bolts for tightness. Make sure no bolts are missing. Replace the fan if any blade is bent. The blade and the shroud should be equal distance around the entire perimeter of the shroud. Adjust the distance as necessary after you make any adjustment to the fan or the fan mounting bracket and hub.

Inspect the filler cap seal. Replace the cap if the following seal conditions apply:

^ Cracking.
^ Separation.
^ Deterioration.

In order to help maintain efficient heat dissipation, do an occasional external flush of the radiator with water. This removes the majority of dirt accumulation and foreign matter from between the core fins. Using moderate pressure, direct water from behind the core in order to force out debris. Direct the water stream in line with the fins in order to reduce the possibility of bending the fins. Use water only with the engine not running and cool.

A radiator with a dirty, obstructed, or leaking core causes the engine to overheat. Radiator scale deposits result from using water that is hard and has a high mineral content in the cooling system. Heat affects the minerals in the water causing the formation of scale, or hard coating, on the metal surfaces within the radiator, reducing the transfer of heat. Some hard water produces a silt-like deposit that restricts the flow of water. Replace a radiator that is plugged, or has a heavy scale on the core.