radiators need "flushing" "draining" do these mean the same thing. Is it an easy job? if so HOW please.

Question

tried bleeding, without luck , so am assuming "to cleans the thing"

Answer 1

If the radiators are cold at the top, especially the upstairs ones, then the rads need bleeding with the pump off. If you have cold spots in different parts of radiators, or at the bottom, the system requires a power flush, most of the advice given before me is wrong (either about cars, people guessing at what your problem is, or people who don't have a clue what they are talking about), powerflushing is a job for a pro, very few diy people would do this effectively, and then leave the system with the correct ph or tds (total dissolved solids) measurements, British Gas are the dearest, they charge about £600, most firms who do a good thorough job will charge £300 - £400.

Answer 2

Same thing, basically except flushing requires use of a radiator flush fluid and allowing it to circulate and then drain again to rid the system of any crap, however not all that easy for someone doing it the first time with no previous know how. Keep in mind that anytime you are working around a cars radiator you need to use extreme caution so not to get scalded by the hot coolant (NEVER OPEN A RADIATOR WHEN THE ENGINE IS HOT!!) also make sure not to get your hands near the fan blades when the engine is running or when someone else is starting the car.
I will try to explain how to both drain and flush as best that I can. Keep in mind that to do a proper system flush you need to have it done by an expert with the proper equipment/tools. You open the valve at the bottom of the radiator and allow it to drain. (CAUTION!) don't force the valve as many have been broken off creating the need for a new radiator since they can sometimes become stubborn from heat and lack of use, if you find that to be the case spray WD40 or other similar lubricant (penetrating oil) on the entire valve and allow it to soak in before attempting to twist it again. Once you open the drain valve you should run the engine for just a minute or so to get the fluid out of the engine block as it circulates through the radiator, just don't run the engine too long or it will start to overheat from the lack of coolant. Keep an eye on the temp gauge and shut off the ignition when the temp gets near the max. You can buy radiator flush at any auto parts store or Walmart auto department and add it (along with water) according to the directions on the can and that will help remove any crap from the cooling system, When you have done that, make sure the valve is closed and refill the radiator with the proper mix of anti freeze (coolant) and fresh water. Don't forget to run the engine at an idle as you add the water/coolant mixture to allow it to circulate through the system and refill the engine water jacket. You will need to keep adding small amounts as the engine warms up and the thermostat opens to allow the fresh coolant/water to pass through to the engine block. Once it appears to be full and you can see the level on the overflow bottle is in the proper range, replace the cap and you should be good to go. Just keep an eye on the temp gauge for a few miles at first in case you need to add a little more water/coolant and you can add that small amount directly to the plastic fill bottle (just don't get the radiator fill bottle mixed up with the winshield washer fluid bottle as they look almost the same).
'HAPPY MOTORING'

Answer 3

If the system needs flushing you need to get something like Sentinel into the system.
Turn off your mains supply at the stop ****.
There will be a drain **** ,usually on one of the radiators.
stick a length of hose on it so the other end is outside the house then open the **** and let out a few gallons of water and shut the **** and take the hose off.
Go into your loft and pour the Sentinel into the header tank (make sure you get the right one) which should now be empty.
Turn on the mains stop **** again and fill the header tank.
Then run the central heating system for a week. The Sentinel will loosen all the sludge in the system.
You then turn off the main stop **** again and drain the whole system. This will clean it out.
Fill up the system from the main stop **** and run the central heating. You will probably need to bleed all the radiators.

Isn't it pathetic. YAHOO doesn't seem to like plumbing terms. When will they grow up?

Answer 4

No not the same,the rad needs flushing if there is a circulation of water problem, engine boiling for example. If you have boiling problems, make sure not to scald yourself, switch of engine and feel the rad all over,if a section is noticeably cooler than the rest, it,s usually because it is blocked with rust flakes etc,then it will need flushing, which is best done removed from the car,lay it on the drive or some other drainable surface, put a garden hose in one hose connection and wash out until you can feel the rad is equally cold all over,it should be possible to judge by how much gunge has come out, whether it clearing or not, it may help to lightly tap the rad with a piece of flat wood while the hose iis running, taking care not to damage the fragile membranes of the cooling system. To drain a rad, you just remove the filler cap, open the drain tap & voila!!

Answer 5

Over many years the radiators can become clogged with debris and sludge - flushing is done by an expert NOT a novice - a pump is attached and all the rads are blasted thru to remove the junk - Draining is just as it suggests - you unscrew the lowest point rad drain screw/plug and allow the system to drain. Doesn't clean them out fully and you will need to ensure you refill and bleed the system.

That's it in basic explanation.

If the rads are not working and need bleeding (i.e. they are hot at the bottom and cold at the top) you have to do this with the heating turned off on most, if not all, systems. Trying to bleed with the pump running will only suck more air into the rads

Answer 6

Draining the radiator on your car means undoing the bottom drain nut and allowing all the water to drain out of it. This is called 'draining'.

Flushing the radiator on your car is the next step up from draining. Once drained, take a hose and flush the radiator out by inserting the hose into the top of the radiator and turning on the hose to flush out the radiator. All the bits and muck inside the radiator will then drain out through the bottom tap which you have opened.

DRAINING & CHANGING
How to Change Radiator Fluid | eHow.comHow to Change Radiator Fluid. The coolant in your car's cooling system needs ... Draining the radiator does not drain the engine - There is coolant left in ...
http://www.ehow.com/how_1861_change-radiator-fluid.html


FLUSHING
How to flush a car's radiatorIdeally a radiator and cooling system should be flushed out every six months. ... Do It Yourself >> Automotive:Repair >> How to flush a car's radiator ...
http://www.ga.essortment.com/flushcarsradia_rfjd.htm


MAINTENANCE
Radiator Maintenance : Car Maintenance Once the fluid has finished draining, put the plug back in place. ... Refilling the radiator is easy, especially if you consult your car’s user manual and ...
http://www.news.carjunky.com/car_maintenance/radiator_maintenance_ab1427.shtml


Car nut since 1960!

Answer 7

You can buy a solution that can be added to the radiator with water. You than start the car and allow it to run for several minutes, than drain it. Than fill with clean water, run for a few minutes and drain. Add required amount of anti-freeze and top off with water and you are good to go for another two years. WARNING. You can not dispose of the old solution that came out of your radiator by dumping it down a storm drain or on the ground. IT IS A TOXIC WASTE! Doing so could get you a fine that will cost much more than having your local auto store do it or recommend someone who can do it.
As a youngster my brothers and I always did all the maintenance on our farm equipment including engine rebuilds, tune-ups and changing anti freeze. We dumped it along side of the driveway as a weed killer. Today, no way, we DO know better now.
Tony G.

Answer 8

Flushing means to get everything out and run a cleaner through the system,Bleeding is just opening the small top valve at the end of the radiator and letting the air out till it is liquid then closing the valve.Do not smoke when you bleed them,the air/gas coming out is hydrogen oxide (hydrous oxide) this is flamable.Draining a rad is only done if you need to remove it or repair it,shut the top valve and the bottom valve,disconect the bottom pipe draining it into a bucket or bowl,disconnect the top pipe and remove the rad.I assume you are talking about central heating radiators.

Answer 9

when you flush out the system ..first you drain it completely ..then you refill adding a cleaning agent ..normally using a special pump machine .. a Friend of mine has company called flush doctors ..it takes a good part of a day to do it properly ..and on a 4 or 5 bed all day .. but by the time he has finished the water and radiators are completely clean ..the big advantage is how quickly the water warms up ....is your water coming out black? try turning off all rads except the one you are working on ..if you don't get water out of bleed screw then you have a real problem ..call a plumber

Answer 10

No, Draining is just that. Draining all the fluid out and rerilling with fresh fluid.
Flushing is draining it, then forceing water, somtimes with a solvent of some sort, thru it to get all the gunk out.
Not hard to drain, flushing takes some special equipment if you want to do it right. Look on google for a guide for your specific vehicle.