The expert warned about the risks of late replacement of antifreeze in the car

Updating the antifreeze in the car is a critical factor in keeping the engine running smoothly. The use of spent fuel inevitably leads to breakdowns, which can be expensive to repair. Nikita Rodionov, technical director of the international franchise network of car service Fit Service, told Izvestia on April 14 how to understand that it is time to replace antifreeze.

Antifreeze acts as a heat energy carrier and actively protects the engine. Over time, the additives in the liquid lose their effectiveness: oxidative processes are triggered, which turn the protective barrier of antifreeze into an aggressive environment. Timely replacement of the coolant helps to avoid overheating or through-corrosion of the cylinder block channels, the expert explained.

"One of the first signals that it's time to change the antifreeze is a change in color and transparency. The original dyes burn out over time, and if the antifreeze becomes cloudy, rusty, or brown, it means that the oxidation process has already begun. The presence of sediment or flakes, as well as the appearance of an oily emulsion, indicate that the antifreeze has already aged. If the density of the coolant drops, then the thermal conductivity decreases noticeably, the thermoregulation mode of the car is disrupted," he said.

A serious breakdown requiring professional diagnostics at a service station is indicated by oil or exhaust odor, as well as a rusty color. A simple antifreeze replacement will not help, as the reason may be in the cylinder head gasket, heat exchanger and other problems, Rodionov noted.

Over time, the content of additives in antifreeze also changes: the components responsible for preventing foaming are depleted over time. A decrease in the level of the alkaline number increases the acidic environment, and the aggressive composition begins to actively affect seals, pipes and gaskets. Even if the antifreeze may still be visually normal, its additive composition may be depleted. To determine the composition of the coolant, you can use special test strips that will show the pH level, the specialist advised.

He warned that the old antifreeze leads to overheating zones. Deposits on the radiator walls act as a heat insulator, preventing heat dissipation. This, in turn, puts more stress on the cylinder-piston group. If the antifreeze loses its lubricating properties, the pump may be damaged and the timing belt may break.

In addition, problems with the coolant also affect comfort. The decomposition products of antifreeze clog the radiator honeycomb, reducing the efficiency of heating in the cabin. And the presence of a solid deposit acts as an abrasive on the thermostat. This may cause the valves to jam. This state of the system forces the motor to operate either in a constant under-heating mode or at critical temperatures.

"It is important to know that when replacing antifreeze, it is not enough to simply drain the old composition and fill in a new one. It is necessary to rinse the entire system with distilled water or special cleaning agents. This will help to remove sludge and scale. It is also important not to mix different types of antifreeze, because this leads to precipitation. Only compliance with the technology can guarantee compliance with the heat exchange characteristics and protect the engine from expensive repairs," the expert added.

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