Notice: Do not spray cold water on a hot radiator.
Notice: Do not use pressure greater than 138 kPa (20 psi) to test the radiator.
Damage to the radiator will result if a higher pressure is used.
| • | 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. Test the cooling system
and the radiator. |
Notice: When adding coolant, use DEX-COOL® coolant. If silicated coolant
is added to the system, premature engine, heater core or radiator corrosion
may result. In addition, the engine coolant will require change sooner-at
50 000 km (30,000 mi) or 24 months.
| • | 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: |
| • | 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: |
| • | 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. |
| • | 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. |
