Extreme temperatures can lead to serious engine damage, and it's much cheaper to spend a little on a coolant flush than pay for serious engine repairs. Although maintenance schedules vary by car, it's usually best to get a coolant flush once every 100,000 miles or every three years.
Most agree that if you have a new car with less than 10,000 miles on it, there should be no need to do a radiator flush for at least a year. If there are no other signs that you need to flush out your radiator, you should do it at least every 30,000 miles or according to your owner's manual recommended schedule.
Having regular coolant flush helps ensure your vehicle runs smoothly and efficiently. It will also help avoid expensive repairs and improve your vehicle's performance.
Yes, a radiator flush can potentially cause a leak, although it's not a guaranteed outcome. Here are a few reasons why this might happen: Old, Weak Components: If the radiator or hoses are old, the flushing process can dislodge rust, scale, or other debris that may have been sealing small leaks.
How Much Does a Coolant Flush Cost? The cost of a coolant flush depends on your vehicle's coolant capacity, and whether or not you are flushing the system with chemicals or soap before refilling it. Typically, you can expect to pay between $100 and $150 for this service on most vehicles.
Your A/C system uses a type of refrigerant (commonly called Freon) to cool the interior of your vehicle. Having a coolant flush performed will not help your A/C stay cool, or visa versa.
How Often Do You Need a Coolant Flush. How often you may need to change your car's coolant depends on the type of coolant you're using and your specific vehicle. If your coolant contains silicates, you should usually consider changing it every two years or after driving 30,000 miles.
COOLING SYSTEM FLUSH AND FILL
A Jiffy Lube® coolant service starts with an examination of your radiator and engine cooling system. Then, old antifreeze/coolant is removed from your radiator and replaced with new antifreeze/coolant per your vehicle manufacturer's recommendations.
During an engine coolant flush, the technicians drain the fluid, then use a cleaning solution and water to remove any remaining contaminants from the system. Once they clean the system, the technicians fill the system with the appropriate mixture of water and coolant.
If you do not change your coolant, it can become acidic. If it does, your engine will no longer be protected from rust, which will slowly kill it. You will have to pay for costly servicing.
Rusting will make the radiator apply more pressure and it will not produce the required cooling effect and the engine will start to overheat.
Some modern coolants are designed to last for five years and even up to ten years, but this is influenced by: The type of coolant used. The age and make of your vehicle. Your driving habits.
Is a Coolant Flush Really Necessary? Yes, performing a coolant flush is a good idea when you replace your car's coolant.
Prevent Corrosion
Over time, the old coolant loses its protective abilities and allows contaminants to build up in the cooling system. Getting a flush will completely clean these particles from the system.
If your engine is overheating but the coolant is full, there may be an issue with the radiator or cooling system as a whole. This could be caused by anything from a mechanical fault of the radiator fan to a damaged expansion tank.
A coolant flush typically costs between $200 and $250 at a dealership, depending on the vehicle, your location, and other factors. Your neighborhood mechanic can likely flush coolant systems and most brick-and-mortar service centers will do the job.
If you find that your temperature gauge is always high and your engine is frequently overheating, chances are that you need a coolant flush. Allowing your engine to overheat can cause serious, costly problems, so it is best to visit a mechanic at the first signs of temperature issues.
If you start noticing a puddle of liquid under your car that has a greenish tint or a sweet smell it means you have a coolant leak and you should schedule a coolant flush as soon as possible. Also if you notice a discoloration in your coolant you want to get any dirt or debris flushed as soon as possible.
Minor repairs like replacing hoses or clamps can take an hour or less. Larger repairs like replacing a radiator or coolant reservoir will take 3-4 hours. Major repairs such as a head gasket replacement can take a day or more, so it's best to deal with small leaks before they become major headaches later.
Flushing the AC system of your car is not a step that should ever be skipped, especially when servicing the AC compressor. For an AC system to properly work, the system must be 100% clean of any contaminants, and be 100% refrigerant and oil only. Any deviation from this can and will cause compressor and system failure.