subject: Antifreeze replacement [print this page] Regular replacement of antifreeze is very important for maintenance of optimum work of the car. Manufacturers of cars recommend to change antifreeze each 45 000 kilometers for avoiding of an overheat of the engine. Many mechanics recommend to change antifreeze, at least, once a year for prevention of formation of corrosion, especially in cars with aluminium a head of the cylinder and a radiator, also to prevent often car repair. However, this recommendation shortly becomes become outdated. Manufacturers of antifreezes have let out on the market antifreezes of new generation with the formula which, under statements of manufacturers, allows to increase terms of replacement of antifreeze to 100 000 kilometers. Manufacturers warn what to fill in new antifreeze it is necessary only in pure system. At mixing with usual antifreeze anticorrosive properties of new antifreeze considerably decrease.
Duration of period of validity of antifreeze depends on the maintenance in it of anticorrosive additives, such as silicates, phosphates and borates. While these substances are present at antifreeze, to change it is not necessary. But as soon as the quantity of anticorrosive substances is lowered, the engine and a radiator are exposed electrolyte to corrosion. Especially it is dangerous to repair engine with aluminium parts. At insufficient quantity of anticorrosive substances in antifreeze and suitable conditions aluminium parts of the engine quickly enough can turn to Swiss cheese. For this reason antifreeze is better for changing before have already begun processes.
One of ways to check up, whether it is necessary to change antifreeze, it to test it by means of special test strips. These strips are offered by many manufacturers of antifreezes. At contact to antifreeze the strip changes colour on which by means of a special scale it is possible to define a condition of antifreeze and to be defined, it is necessary to change antifreeze or not.
To replace antifreeze it is possible independently. For this purpose it is necessary to choose a place far away from pets and children. Antifreeze is toxic, therefore, working with it, it is necessary to observe safety austerity measures. It is impossible to merge antifreeze in the rivers and streams, and also near to water supply sources (wells, columns etc.).
Antifreeze varies on the cold engine. To change antifreeze on the hot engine dangerously. Find a cover of a radiator and remove it. Further find a drain cover of a radiator and open it, preliminary having put under it the big bucket. Merge antifreeze. After that examine hoses of system of cooling about cracks and ruptures. If necessary replace hoses and car blankets.
Before to fill in new antifreeze system it is necessary to wash out to remove a rust, fat and adjournment which water cannot remove. For system washing there are special means for washing. It is necessary to fill in all bottle of means in a radiator and to add deionized or demineralized water in a radiator and in a tank to edges. Covers to close.
The following step - to include the engine and an oven on a maximum and to wait, while the engine will heat up to working temperature. After that it is necessary to switch off the engine and to allow to it to cool down, further to remove covers from a radiator and to merge a liquid.
After that it is necessary to pour in system of usual water, to close covers and again to include the engine for 15 minutes. Then again allow to the engine to cool down completely and merge water from cooling system. Only after that it is possible to fill in new antifreeze.
Fill in antifreeze according to recommendations of the manufacturer. Concentration of antifreeze in system should not exceed 70 %, and optimum concentration - 50 % antifreeze and 50 % water. After antifreeze pouring it is necessary to include the engine and heating in salon on a maximum that antifreeze was in regular intervals distributed on system, and also for removal of vials of air from cooling system. After several days of driving of the car do not forget to check up antifreeze level in system and add antifreeze to the necessary level if it is necessary.
