Hi Scotty, I was told decades ago to add a 1/4 cup of Dawn dish soap to the radiator fluid, and this would help lubricate the water pump, keep heater hoses from deteriorating, and help to keep the system clean. I'm 72 and have been doing this to all my cars (1974 thru present day) and have never changed a radiator hose or water pump, even with high milage use. Let me Know your thoughts on this. Thanks, 🍺 🍕 🍔 🍟 🙂 Radar
Total Bunk.
Sounds like something one might have done in a '49 Hudson running straight water in the radiator as many did back in the day during warm weather - you'd need to add something to the water to lube the water pump. (I remember cans of water pump lube being sold at parts stores.) Doesn't seem like a good idea with modern cars and coolant.
add a 1/4 cup of Dawn dish soap to the radiator fluid
That's a lot of soap. Maybe it's to alert you if it overheats ... foam and bubbles will start pouring out from under the hood.
this would help lubricate the water pump
Common myth. Water pumps don't need lubrication. Even if they did, the coolant never touches the bearings so it wouldn't help anyway.
keep heater hoses from deteriorating, and help to keep the system clean.
Replacing the fluid regularly will accomplish this just fine.
This is not something we are recommending on modern vehicles, and not something found in any service manual.
