A hot combustion engine is kept cool with the help of a working coolant system that uses a radiator as its key component. When a radiator doesn't start cooling, a hot engine overheats, and internal damage occurs. The radiator, its hoses, a thermostat, a fan, and fluid make up the entire coolant system in most vehicles. The steps to start a radiator are few because only a couple of components are involved. You can find and fix a coolant system quickly by changing a bad thermostat to start a radiator when your engine gets hot.
Instructions
- 1
Park the vehicle on a flat surface and engage the parking brake. Raise the hood and collect your tools. Place a drainage pan underneath the radiator and remove the radiator cap by turning counter-clockwise one quarter turn to release any pressure within the radiator.
2Remove the positive cable from the battery. Loosen the battery cable clamp using a spanner wrench and position the loose end away from the battery. Wipe away any debris or dirt from the top of the radiator and all its hoses. Follow the hoses up to and from the engine, checking that there are no obstructions to the access points to and from the radiator and engine. Disconnect and position away from the work area any wires that inhibit your access to the coolant hoses before proceeding.
3Locate the end of the radiator hose that exits the radiator at the top and runs to the engine block. The hose is attached to a thermostat housing that will need to be removed in order to insert a working thermostat that will start a radiator when the engine gets hot. Separate the hose end from the thermostat housing with a screwdriver or wrench. Loosen the hose clamp that secures the hose to the housing and position the hose end away from the work area. Place a drainage pan under each hose end as it is removed so that any extra fluids can drain into the pan and not onto the ground as you proceed.
4Remove the thermostat housing bolts with a wrench and socket or spanner wrench. Turn each bolt to the left a little to break each bolt free before completely removing. Apply even release pressure as the housing is freed from the engine block. Place the drainage pan under the thermostat housing as it is pulled away from the motor so that any extra fluid can drain from the engine.
5Remove the thermostat that lies within the housing. You can examine it to see if it is corroded or stuck in one position or just throw it away and get the new thermostat ready for installation. Scrape away any old gasket that was left behind on the engine block. Wipe the area clear of debris and put a new thermostat gasket over the housing studs. Place the new thermostat in the housing with the correct end pointed toward the engine block and place the housing onto the housing studs.
6Tighten each thermostat housing stud evenly until tight. Connect the radiator hose to the thermostat housing neck and secure with a screwdriver or wrench. Remove the radiator cap and pour fresh antifreeze into the radiator until it reaches the bottom of the fill neck at the top of the radiator. Replace the radiator cap. Connect the positive cable to the battery and tighten with a wrench to secure it back in place.
7Start the car and bring it to temperature by driving or idling the engine until warm. As the temperature rises and reaches the activation temperature, the thermostat will open and allow the hot water from the engine to enter and recycle through the radiator, starting a radiator that did not start because of a non-working thermostat.
