I just bought a 1995 Honda Accord EXi. The car is not running hot, however, if i open the hood, the whole engine compartment feels very very hot. I can't even touch some of the metal parts around the engine. Is this normal?

BTW, i am here in the Philippines, and I was told that they don't use engine coolant because it just ruin the metal parts. The Philippines is a hot tropical country and i am somewhat surprised that the majority don't use engine/radiator coolants. Coolants are available for sale. What do you think?

 

straight water will under presure boil at about 225 in a car. you should mix antifreeze with water at the required ratio to get the best protection.

 

Another urban legend to deal with. Put some anti-freeze in it, for Gods' sake. Not only does Anti-freeze include anti-corrosion and anti-foaming agents, but it's mixing with water not only lowers the temperature at which the mixture freezes, but also rises the temp that it boils.
Temp at which Water / coolant boils:
Water / no pressure / no antifreeze = 212d Fahrenheit
Water / 16psi / no antifreeze = 220d Fahrenheit
Water / 16psi / 50% antifreeze = 235d Fahrenheit

Even in Manila, there is advantages to using coolant over straight water.

P

 

Sorry for my ignorance but i need to ask.

Coolant and anti-freeze. Are they the same thing? I don't see any anti-freeze out here except coolant.

Thanks.

 

yes

 

Actually, the terms are bantered about indiscriminately, and are often meant to be the same thing.
The correct terminology is:
Coolant: Liquid which is used to cool (in this case) an internal combustion engine; made up of a mix of water and Antifreeze at a ratio of 50/50

P

 

You guys are great!! I wish i had found this forum earlier before I had spent quite a few pesos repairing this car. It's actually a excellent car.

One last thing please: How do i replace the water in the radiator/engine? Is there a process or proper way of doing this? Sorry, the car did not come with an operating manual so I have no idea what the radiator capacity or proper mix should be.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by tondo45 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">One last thing please: How do i replace the water in the radiator/engine? Is there a process or proper way of doing this? Sorry, the car did not come with an operating manual so I have no idea what the radiator capacity or proper mix should be. </TD></TR></TABLE>

It's really quite simple; the most problematic consideration will be the disposal of the old coolant. Local municipal codes will determine how you have to (or can) handle this issue.
The procedure is quite simple
1) Turn heater control temp *** to full heat. This will allow the coolant in both the heater core and it's related hoses to drain along with the rest of the system.
2) Remove Radiator cap.
3) With a suitable catch basin under the car, loosen (counterclockwise) the radiator drain-****; located along the bottom of a radiator tank.
4) Close the drain-****
If the Radiator Overflow tank has dirty coolant, this is a good time to clean it out.
5) Grasp coolant overflow tank and pull straight up. It should slide right out of it's mounting bracket. You can empty and flush it buy flipping it over, or you can disconnect it from the radiator neck to work on it elsewhere if needed.
6) Re-install overflow tank
7) fill radiator with 3/4 gallon water and the remained volume with Antifreeze
8) Start up the engine and watch the fluid level in the Radiator. You should see it surging up/down until at some point the t'stat will open and the coolant level will drop. Top off the radiator with the remaining antifreeze.
If you've some ramps, raise the nose of the car by however you can do it. shut the engine off and let it cool off. Once it's safe to open the radiator cap, do so; and recheck the level. If there were any air pockets in the engine before, they've now purged and you can top off the radiator one last time

Fin !!

P