My truck's overheating taught me why coolant flushes matter

I used to think flushes were just for show. My truck started running hot last summer. The coolant had turned to sludge from never being changed. Now I do flushes every two years, no exceptions. The engine runs cooler and lasts longer.

3 comments

3 Comments

hernandez.claire2d ago

Yeah, that line about the coolant turning to sludge really got me. I heard a mechanic say that old coolant loses its chemicals that stop rust and lubricate the water pump. So it turns acidic and eats away at everything inside, creating all that gunk. It makes total sense why a flush would fix your overheating issue. You're right to stick to that two year plan now. What kind of truck do you have, by the way?

the_lisa2d ago

Learned that lesson the hard way when I ignored my coolant for like five years. Had to replace the entire radiator because the sludge clogged every single tube. The mechanic showed me the chunks of rust and it looked like something from a horror movie. Cost me way more than a simple flush would have. Your mechanic friend is totally right about the acid eating everything. That two year plan is solid advice.

anna7172d ago

Didn't I hear that neglected coolant can corrode aluminum parts too?