I've pulled the head many times before but I always drained all of the coolant out. I was wondering though if I could just drain out the radiator and not the drain plug on the front of the block. I'm just doing a head gasket and nothing with the block so I'm thinking it's not necessary; what do you guys think?

 

While you have it off you might as well drain it so you can inspect your sleeves and block, as well as ensure you have entirely new coolant.

 

That's a good point and will do that, but it's possible to pull the head without draining the plug on the block right? (Just knowledge for future.)

 

When you pull the head your gonna make a mess as well as having some of coolant the spill down into your cylinders, some will even get by your rings and then it will be in your crank case. Be sure you change your oil after.

 

So I guess it's better to always fully drain the coolant before pulling the head. I was asking because I recently visited a shop who had some cars sitting around w/ the head off but I still see the coolant full all around the water jackets and the head is off--so I figured it would be a cool shortcut or something since the shop always do things professionally . I was just wondering how they do it & if it's an okay idea.

 

Just drain the radiator...youll be good.

 

drain rad, then open block drain for 2-3 seconds. That way no coolant will get near cylinders/pistons when you pull the head.

Coolant is cheap. $2.50 for a FULL coolant change, only need a 1/2 gallon of it.

 

Mista b, your not talking about honda coolant then lol

 

my thoughts exactly... that stuff is like $18

 

Does it really matter if you get or not? Many coolants (such as GM Dexcool - pinkish stuff) claim to be phosphate and silicate free. I normally run Prestone and haven't noticed any problems. Cheap and beats dealing with ******** at the parts counter.

 

Wanna bet, I used get MY Honda coolant for free from the mechanics. You'd get charged for a full undiluted gallon. But cooling system only needs one gallon of diluted coolant. So every other Civic that got coolant service, mechanic had a full 1 gallon bottle Honda antifreeze.

Now, Honda only sells the diluted kind, but at same price.

RAPE!

 

I just bought undiluted honda coolant about a month ago from the dealer. so either they are in the process of phasing it out, or where ever you get it from is shafting you