Cooling System Tune-up Checklist Flush dirt, bugs and leaves from front of radiator with a brush and garden hose. Be gentle, radiator fins are a bit delicate Inspect the radiator cap. Replace the cap if the rubber gasket is broken, dried out or missing. Check the condition and level of coolant. Replace coolant every two years or 30,000 miles.
Coolant becomes acidic and can do damage to the engine.
Inspect radiator and hoses for leaks, cracks. Hoses that are soft, or mushy should be replaced. Tighten all clamps, replace hoses as needed. Heater hoses run from the engine, through the firewall, to the heater core under the dash. Replace swollen or cracked hoses.