Garages - Vehicle Maintenance

What should I do when servicing or repairing a radiator?

• context Allow the radiator to cool before inspecting.
• context Cover the radiator cap with a heavy cloth material or cap remover. Do not use paper towels.
• context Stand back at arm's length when removing the cap. Keep others away. If the radiator cap does not have a pressure-relief lever, first tighten the cap and then loosen it a half turn to the first notch. If it is equipped with a pressure relief lever, lift the lever into the open position.
• context Remember that all of the pressure may not have escaped -- the cap gasket may be stuck to the radiator neck.
• context Do not put your face directly over the radiator once the cap has been removed. Coolant may erupt unexpectedly.
• context Check the hoses for leaks.
• context Tighten the hose clamps if the hoses feel damp at either end of the hose.
• context Replace the hoses if there are cracks, tears or other signs of wear or if they feel brittle when you squeeze them.
• context Drain the radiator fluid in an appropriate container if the radiator has to be removed for repair.
• context Dispose of the radiator fluid according to local environment or municipal requirements.
• context If the radiator is cleaned by dipping it in a corrosive(sodium hydroxide) solution, make sure that you know the hazards of working with corrosive materials, how to work safely with them, the appropriate protective equipment and clothing to use, and what to do in case it splashes on you or if it spills. Information on corrosive materials and sodium hydroxide is available in other OSH Answers documents.
• context Dispose of the tank solutions, tank sludge, and rinse solutions according to local environment or municipal requirements. The solutions will contain lead, and the sludge will contain zinc, copper, and lead.
• context Know and understand the hazards of exposure to lead in solder and how to work with it safely.
• context If soldering is carried out to repair radiators, soldering operations should be done in well-ventilated and maintained enclosures, ventilated exhaust hoods or ventilated booths.
• context Wear an approved respirator that is intended to protect against lead exposure from soldering operations, or from grinding or buffing soldered surfaces if ventilation is not adequate. (More information is available in the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Section of OSH Answers about selecting and caring for respirators and dust masks.)
• context Use good housekeeping methods for keeping surfaces free of lead. Use a wet mop or vacuum equipped with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter to clean floors and other surfaces. Do not use a dry broom or compressed air for cleaning lead dust - they will cause the lead dust to become airborne.
• context Follow good hygiene practices. Wash your hands and face after soldering, grinding or buffing operations and before eating, drinking, or smoking to prevent unintentional ingestion of lead.
• context Employees should be provided with coveralls or similar full-body clothing and disposable or washable caps. Work clothing should be stored in a different place than street clothes to prevent contamination. Work clothing should be put in plastic bags and sent for cleaning. The bags should be tagged as "clothing contaminated with lead," and the work clothes should be washed separately from other clothing.