How to change the antifreeze on the machine?

The internal combustion engine is constantly running under load. Even at idle, the crankshaft rotates. Combustion of the fuel-air mixture in the chamber of each of the cylinders is not only a torque, but also a significant heat release. To smooth it, the design of any engine has a cooling system. Often it is a liquid type. Antifreeze or antifreeze is poured into it. The difference between these two components is only in the country of origin. Antifreeze is used on foreign cars. Tosol was invented in 1970 in the USSR. Now it is manufactured in Russia and CIS countries, poured into all domestic cars. And today we will consider how to properly change antifreeze and antifreeze with your own hands.

How often do you do this?

Specialists recommend replacing every 60,000 kilometers or every two years. By adhering to this regulation, you prevent the occurrence of corrosion processes inside the cooling system. But not all manufacturers regulate this term.

For example, the concern "Audi-Volkswagen" recommends replacing the coolant every 5 years or 150 thousand kilometers. American "General Motors" and does state that antifreeze in their cars is flooded for the entire lifetime.

Why such a run-in figures?

It's all about additives and the concentration of distilled water in the coolant. If we talk about domestic tosol, it contains up to 30 percent of the water already from the plant. Foreign manufacturers make concentrates, that is, 100 percent of antifreeze accounts for only 5 percent of this fluid. This allows for more flexible temperature performance. Also note that the coolant differs in groups. The very first one is 11G. It's green antifreeze and domestic antifreeze. This group is considered obsolete, and now world producers do not fill such coolant in their cars. If the car uses the fluid of the 11th group (including those on Russian cars), it must be changed every two years.

The next type is 12G. It is a popular red antifreeze. For the first time it began to be used by Japanese manufacturers on cars "Nissan" and "Toyota". The service life of this coolant is 5 years. And finally, the 13th group. It appeared only recently. This antifreeze contains exclusively organic additives. It serves up to 200 thousand kilometers. All these antifreezes contain anti-corrosion additives, phosphates and silicates. While they are, there are no corrosion processes in the engine. But over time, these additives settle. And the percentage of water that is contained in the antifreeze, begins to contribute to the raid on the walls and radiator honeycomb. This process is called electrolytic corrosion.

Choose the type you want

How to change the antifreeze "Honda Accord", if you do not know the antifreeze group that was previously filled? Experts recommend using the 12th group. It is universal. It can be poured after the 11th and 13th group. But it is best to look in the service book and follow the recommendations of the manufacturer.

Preparation

Before you change the antifreeze (on VAZ-2114 including), you need to prepare a large capacity for draining an old liquid of at least five liters.

This can be a basin, or a plastic canister with a punctured sidewall. It must be done to ensure that the liquid does not splash on the asphalt under pressure. And not every car has sufficient ground clearance to evenly put a canister on the neck to the drain plug. In order not to create a vacuum, unscrew the cap of the expansion tank. Draining completely liquid, it is necessary to rinse the system of old deposits.

How to rinse?

Before you change the antifreeze yourself, you need to clean the system of scale. Especially often it accumulates when mixing antifreeze with distilled water. Also, mud and oil deposits are contained inside the system. All this must be thoroughly washed before changing the antifreeze. What to use from additional funds? The simplest method is to fill in the system with ordinary clean water. After the machine has traveled 1-2 days on such a liquid, it must be drained from the system. Pay attention to its color. If the water is not transparent (and in most cases it is), it will not be superfluous to rinse the system again. You can use for this and "antinakipin" based on citric acid. This so-called "five-minute" - filling them in the system, you need to work the engine for a couple of minutes, then drain all the liquid into a pre-prepared container.
Such drugs are sold in powder form. Then proceed to pour new coolant. But before changing the antifreeze, let the engine cool down. The coolant temperature is 80-90 degrees - there is a big risk of getting burns.

What next?

So, substitute the tank under the drain plug, unscrew the valve at the bottom of the radiator and pour out the water. As long as the liquid is filled, check the condition of the rubber nipples, which are fed to the radiator from above and from below, and also to the hoses of the expansion tank. These elements should not have cracks and be "oak" to the touch. If they are cracked and hard, replace them with the yokes. Tighten the stopper on the radiator and start pouring in a new liquid. If you want to change the antifreeze in Ford Transit, use a small watering can for convenience. It is important that it does not have traces of oil and dirt. Pour antifreeze in small portions. So you exclude the presence of an airlock in the system. Air in the engine will not give the fluid a normal heat sink - the engine will begin to boil. Then start the engine and let it run for 3-5 minutes. After the temperature has reached the operating values, check the liquid level in the expansion tank. If necessary, top up it. But be careful. "To hot" to fill the antifreeze is not worth it. The pressure cap can fire.

Can I mix different antifreezes?

Many car enthusiasts often wonder whether it is possible to mix different colors of liquid. This is strictly prohibited. Despite the same basis of these liquids (ethylene and propylene glycol), when mixed, it can behave differently.

You can not mix even the same group of liquids. Remember that the color of the antifreeze can be the same for the 12th and 13th groups. In some cases, this liquid may foam. The engine immediately boils, which is fraught with deformation of the cylinder head and the block itself. Mix only with distilled water.

In what proportions is pouring?

It should be borne in mind that the more this fluid in the antifreeze, the lower its freezing point. Before you change the antifreeze, think about how much you need to use the liquid "for topping up". Usually it takes 1-2 liters for the entire lifetime (2 years). In winter, only 20 percent of water in the liquid is allowed. If mixed more, antifreeze can freeze. In the summer, everything is a little easier - you can ride on one water. But with the first frosts, this "liquid" should be drained and use a normal, not diluted antifreeze.

How much should I pour?

Before buying antifreeze, drivers ask about the amount of liquid that is used in the cooling system. This figure is indicated in the instruction manual. Usually for cars with engine capacity up to two liters, it is necessary to use 7-8 l of antifreeze. For example, for domestic "tens" 7 liters of liquid are required. For SUVs of the type "UAZ Patriot" - 12. The lowest is needed for the "Oka" - 4.8 liters. The engines produced by ZMZ, which are put on the "Volga" and "Gazelle", require about 10 liters of coolant. But in any case, it is necessary to fill the antifreeze to the mark, which is between the maximum and minimum.

Remember that as the temperature increases, the liquid expands, and it needs an additional volume that is compensated by the expansion tank. If you pour antifreeze, it can simply explode or spill out of the nozzles under enormous pressure.

Conclusion

So, we figured out how to change the antifreeze with our own hands. As you can see, the process is not very complicated and labor-intensive. After you managed to change the antifreeze (Toyota Avensis is no exception), make a note in the onboard log with the date and mileage. It will be easier to follow the rules. Do not drive on old antifreeze - so you run the risk of overheating the engine. The liquid loses its properties, and the additives precipitate. It stops normally removing heat from the motor.