i'm going to replace the coolant in a R this weekend. three questions:
-how much fresh coolant will i need to refill the radiator?
-are there any tricks to draining all the dirty coolant? i've heard something abount starting the car and running the heater on high, etc.
-what size metric sockets will i need?

 

1 gallon of HONDA coolant
distilled water

12mm for the bleeder screw

drain , refill , startup and open bleeder , let run till all air is out and you have a steady flow of coolant out of the bleeder , close , refill if needed

mix 50/50 if its a street kaa

 

there is no bleed screw on the itr.

 

Dont run your car without coolant, at all.

1. Drain
2. Fill with water and run it
3. Repeat
4. Fill with Honda coolant.

 

Forget about the misconceptions...

sgT is right. It's a drain plug. It's a little white plastic T screwed into your radiator. It DOES drain your radiator. And the bolt on your engine is bigger than 12mm I believe (I thought it was 17 or 19mm). 12mm will be used to get the heat shield off (covering the header).

You'll need over a gallon to change out the entire system. Get two just in case...

Really there is no need to flush with water. Please explain...

And no water is needed. Honda rad fluid is pre-mixed. Use the rad fluid honda puts out...it's fine if this is your first time, and you don't have cooling issues.


[modified for my horrible spelling]



[Modified by Turtle, 4:08 PM 8/20/2002]

 

oops

and TURTLE - theres two types of honda coolant , one is mixed one is not

 

not once did I say to run it without coolant

 

number 2 I'm pretty sure is the one you want. When you go to the dealer they'll probably suggest that's the one you'll want to use.

Go here for other misc information. Courtesy of the FL/NC crew . (props to Sofreshsoclean...for setting me straight once before).

http://www.bseries.net/html/garage/thermo.php



[Modified by Turtle, 4:16 PM 8/20/2002]

 

I run it out with water to clean out any deposits that may be in the block or radiator. I also use that Prestone super flush stuff, it seems to work.

 

good stuff. whatever works for you . I would personally like to clean all the dirt off my car with a toothbrush too, however I don't have time for every little detail. Truth is, it may be ok to do, but how can water get more dirt off then coolant? Ever see what that stuff does to paint?

 

cool, looks very easy. could i substitute hondabond for the red silicon stuff they use?

 

That engine block drain bolt is a SOB, use an extension arm to get a good leverage.


[Modified by Cosworth, 5:10 PM 8/20/2002]

 

Yes. The threads on this bolt are very tight (which is what Cosworth is referring to).


[Modified by Turtle, 6:16 PM 8/20/2002]

 

It's cheaper than coolant.

 

Just wondering if there is any other good type of coolant to use besides Honda/acura coolant??

 

Use Honda coolant. It has additives to keep your cooling system running in top shape. We had a thread dedicated to this very question a while ago... try search if you're curious.

 

Thanks!

Supposedly, Honda only recommends a coolant without silicates/borates, and the only quality brand that I found on the market is Presone's Long Life brand, which is RED. (for GM's DEX-Cool system, toyota's etc)