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NARSA Advises Motorists To Get Radiator Flush And Fill
Once Every Two Years To Avoid Heater Problems
EAST GREENVILLE, Pa. — With colder temperatures just around the
corner, you don’t want to be without heat when you venture into your
chilly vehicle. But cooling system corrosion can lead to heater failures
and other wintertime headaches.
During National Car Care Month, the National Automotive Radiator Service
Association (NARSA) reminds motorists that one way to avoid the problem
is by sticking to the engine coolant (antifreeze) maintenance schedules
outlined in your vehicle’s owner’s manual.
"Fresh coolant reduces the likelihood of corrosion and helps ensure
adequate flow throughout the vehicle’s cooling system,” says
Don Hart, NARSA president. “And proper functioning of the cooling
system is vital for trouble-free operation of your vehicle’s heating
system and engine.”
The radiator, heater core and coolant are all important and interrelated
parts of the cooling system, which also includes the water pump, thermostat
and hoses. If any of these components become excessively worn and fail,
the outcome can include more than and inconvenient lack of heat. Costly
engine damage can also result.
To keep the circuit in tip-tip shape and prevent corrosion buildup, NARSA
recommends having a radiator flush and fill once every two years, depending
on the make, model and age of your vehicle. Some late model vehicles,
including most 1996 and newer General Motors products, are equipped with
long-life coolants which have extended change intervals. Check your owner’s
manual for details.
Specifically a thorough flush and fill should consist of the radiation
being drained of all existing coolant, back-flushed internally with a
special pressurized gun containing compressed air and a mixture of water
and cleaning solvents, and refilled with a 50-50 mixture of water and
fresh coolant.
If you’ve kept up with regular coolant maintenance, but are still
experiencing problems with your vehicle’s heater, it is imperative
that you have the cooling system checked and the problem diagnosed to
avoid further damage.
If the heater provides no heat:
- The vehicle may have a heater core leak. Signs of a heater core leak
can include a low fluid level in the coolant recovery bottle, coolant
on the floor of the passenger compartment, a fogging of the windshield
when the heater or defroster is used, and coolant odor in the passenger
compartment;
- The coolant may not be properly flowing through the heater core;
- The thermostat may need replacing;
- There may be a malfunction in the electrical/vacuum control.
If the heater produces very little heat:
- The coolant may not be properly flowing through the heater core;
- The thermostat may need replacing;
- You may have a low level of your coolant/water mixture in your system.
Troubleshooting the exact cause of the problem can be tricky. That’s
why NARSA recommends that consumers bring their vehicles to a NARSA cooling
system specialist -- they possess the knowledge and expertise to quickly
diagnose and correct the problem in the most cost-effective manner.
To find a cooling system specialist in your area, look for the NARSA
emblem in the “Radiators-Automotive” section of the Yellow Pages
or visit the NARSA web site at www.narsa.org for an on-line directory of NARSA members.
For more information, call 1-800-551-3232, write to NARSA, P.O. Box 97,
East Greenville, PA 18041, or send an e-mail to narsa@narsa.org.
NARSA was formed in 1954 as a forum for communication and education within
the automotive cooling system aftermarket. The association provides its
members with the latest technical information and educates the public
on the proper servicing and repair of the cooling systems of today’s
automotive fleet. NARSA has more than 1,500 members worldwide.
Provided as a public service by the National Automotive Radiator Service
Association (NARSA).
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