Prelude13
09-29-2007, 08:03 PM
Okay, so this is a failry easy tutorial that is commonly overlooked & neglected. Here's the basics on why flushing out your coolant every two years is a good idea.
For starters, coolant looses its key elements that protect the cooling system from rust, corrosion, electrolysis, pitting etc. The coolant mixture should be a mixture of 60-70% of water & antifreeze at all times. Or you can simply purchase the already mixed antifreeze for your convenience.
A good way to tell if your coolant is okay is simply by opening up your radiator cap(when the motor has been cooled & not ran in over 1 hour) and examining
the color of your coolant. Semi-deep green is a good indicator. Japanese cars usually uses green colored coolant. OEM Honda uses a blue colored one, but don't mix. Some newer antifreezes now comes in a bright yellow color, red, pink & blue that varies from different automobile manufacturers. If you have a multimeter, you can also test the coolant for its content of electrolysis. Anything less than .10 volts you're okay.
*What is electrolysis?
Basically, coolant travels through your motor, over dissimilar metals and gains an electric charge. This small electric current removes metal from engine surfaces leaving pits or small holes and can eventually eat entirely through a component, or perhaps your radiator itself. Most newer radiators are made of copper with a plastic tanks, but you never know.
MATERIALS NEEDED:
-PAN to catch coolant
-*8mm ratchet
-Antifreeze
-About 20-35 mins of babysitting.
-Rag
Step 1 Download the manual that is found each generation resource guide. Refer to the instructions there for additional reference.
Remove the radiator cap
(WARNING! MAKE SURE YOU HAVEN'T RAN YOUR MOTOR IN THE PAST HOUR!! Radiator is pressurized, opening a hot radiator cap can result in hot coolant exploding in your face!)
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a329/Bpark13/DSC01228.jpg?t=1191111884
STEP 2
Drain the coolant by opening up the drain cock that sits underneath the radiator:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a329/Bpark13/DSC01232.jpg?t=1191112087
(If your radiator is clogged up with crap, it's a good idea to stick a garden house and flush out the entire nastiness that resides in the radiator until clear water drains out)
Step 3
After all coolant has been drained, re-tighten the drain cock. It's made of plastic, so you don't need tools to fasten it, just hand tighten.
Now, start refilling your radiator with coolant up to the neck. Locate your coolant bleeder bolt and twist it open with an 8mm ratchet ever so slightly. Start to add more coolant until coolant flows out of the bleeder bolt, seeing no bubbles whatsoever. Once you see that, close the bleeder bolt, clean up the mess.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a329/Bpark13/DSC01229a1.jpg?t=1191112366
Step 4
Now that you have successfully bled and refilled your radiator, it's time inspect it. Adjust your heater controls to HOT - MAXIMUM level and blast the heater to the highest level. Turn on the car, open the windows with the radiator cap off.
Here's the time you need to babysit. You need to see if your fans kick on. It takes anywhere from 12-35 mins depending on weather conditions. Once both of your fans(in most cases) turn on, you are good to go. Inspect the radiator neck for lost coolant, add when necessary. After driving the car for more than 20 miles, it's a good idea to check coolant levels after the car has been cooled, to see if you have further lost any more coolant. Make sure your overflow reservoir is also to correct measurements.
That's it! Hope this was helpful, happy Luding! :biggthumpup:
note: this tutorial is for the 3rd gen Prelude motor. Each bleeder bolt is located elsewhere, please refer to the manual for exact locations.
For starters, coolant looses its key elements that protect the cooling system from rust, corrosion, electrolysis, pitting etc. The coolant mixture should be a mixture of 60-70% of water & antifreeze at all times. Or you can simply purchase the already mixed antifreeze for your convenience.
A good way to tell if your coolant is okay is simply by opening up your radiator cap(when the motor has been cooled & not ran in over 1 hour) and examining
the color of your coolant. Semi-deep green is a good indicator. Japanese cars usually uses green colored coolant. OEM Honda uses a blue colored one, but don't mix. Some newer antifreezes now comes in a bright yellow color, red, pink & blue that varies from different automobile manufacturers. If you have a multimeter, you can also test the coolant for its content of electrolysis. Anything less than .10 volts you're okay.
*What is electrolysis?
Basically, coolant travels through your motor, over dissimilar metals and gains an electric charge. This small electric current removes metal from engine surfaces leaving pits or small holes and can eventually eat entirely through a component, or perhaps your radiator itself. Most newer radiators are made of copper with a plastic tanks, but you never know.
MATERIALS NEEDED:
-PAN to catch coolant
-*8mm ratchet
-Antifreeze
-About 20-35 mins of babysitting.
-Rag
Step 1 Download the manual that is found each generation resource guide. Refer to the instructions there for additional reference.
Remove the radiator cap
(WARNING! MAKE SURE YOU HAVEN'T RAN YOUR MOTOR IN THE PAST HOUR!! Radiator is pressurized, opening a hot radiator cap can result in hot coolant exploding in your face!)
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a329/Bpark13/DSC01228.jpg?t=1191111884
STEP 2
Drain the coolant by opening up the drain cock that sits underneath the radiator:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a329/Bpark13/DSC01232.jpg?t=1191112087
(If your radiator is clogged up with crap, it's a good idea to stick a garden house and flush out the entire nastiness that resides in the radiator until clear water drains out)
Step 3
After all coolant has been drained, re-tighten the drain cock. It's made of plastic, so you don't need tools to fasten it, just hand tighten.
Now, start refilling your radiator with coolant up to the neck. Locate your coolant bleeder bolt and twist it open with an 8mm ratchet ever so slightly. Start to add more coolant until coolant flows out of the bleeder bolt, seeing no bubbles whatsoever. Once you see that, close the bleeder bolt, clean up the mess.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a329/Bpark13/DSC01229a1.jpg?t=1191112366
Step 4
Now that you have successfully bled and refilled your radiator, it's time inspect it. Adjust your heater controls to HOT - MAXIMUM level and blast the heater to the highest level. Turn on the car, open the windows with the radiator cap off.
Here's the time you need to babysit. You need to see if your fans kick on. It takes anywhere from 12-35 mins depending on weather conditions. Once both of your fans(in most cases) turn on, you are good to go. Inspect the radiator neck for lost coolant, add when necessary. After driving the car for more than 20 miles, it's a good idea to check coolant levels after the car has been cooled, to see if you have further lost any more coolant. Make sure your overflow reservoir is also to correct measurements.
That's it! Hope this was helpful, happy Luding! :biggthumpup:
note: this tutorial is for the 3rd gen Prelude motor. Each bleeder bolt is located elsewhere, please refer to the manual for exact locations.