Car Safety Tips: How to Open a Radiator

Earlier this year, the famous Hulk Hogan made the news after a terrible radiator accident left his hand a blistered mess that needed immediate medical attention. This is one of the most horrific fates a person can face when working on any vehicle's radiator. If you don't want it to happen to you, here are a few tips to consider:

Wait and get a towel.

When an engine has been running for some time, radiator coolant is not only hot–  it is boiling hot. This is why you should always wait for the engine to sufficiently cool down before even thinking of touching the radiator. In the meantime, just get a towel for added protection.

Don't open it all the way.

If you're still not entirely sure the radiator has cooled down enough, try using the towel to twist the cap a bit. If you observe coolant and steam still trying to escape, close the cap again and resume the wait.

Use the cap as a shield.

Finally, when you do open the radiator all the way, pull the cap toward you so that any escaping steam and coolant will be diverted away from you. Ideally, the radiator will have cooled down already to avoid this entirely; but you can never be too careful.

Since working on a radiator is dangerous business, it is always best to take a few extra precautions along the way. Don't wait to learn the hard way like Hulk Hogan did.