Hey guys,

On my 03 Civic, I am not sure if the previous owner had used Honda Coolant. I have had this car for 5 years and want to drain and replace it with Honda Coolant. How do I get everything out without flushing it? I'm trying to do this at home. If I drain the existing coolant replace it with Honda coolantdrive it for few days, drain it again and replace it. Will that do the trick?

The reservoir is hard to get to, how do I suck everything out of reservoir without removing it? Any guidance you can provide.

 

A turkey baster will help extracting the coolant from the overflow bottle.

As for your procedure, it'll work fine. You could also try popping the freeze plug out to drain it fully.

Check here: DIY: Engine Coolant Flush - 7th Gen Honda Forum - The #1 Community for 2001-2005 Honda Civic Enthusiasts

 

cheapo vacuum pumps or a mity vac work wonders sucking out fluid in a matter of a few seconds from any reservoir....brake, power steering, coolant

 

Thanks Matt,

Turkey Baster may not be long enough. If I leave the cap on and start draining by opening the drain valve, that might do the trick. what do you think? If there is vacuum it may pull the coolant from the reservoir into radiator. Once it stops draining then open the cap to speed up the draining process.

 

I doubt the vacuum from the coolant draining out the bottom will pull all the coolant out of the overflow bottle. Another option is using a piece of rubber hose and jamming it on the end of the turkey baster.

 

You guys are working too hard to get the fluid out of the resevoir.

https://www.harborfreight.com/brake-...kit-60770.html

You put a hose from the end of the pump to the bottle lid and another hose attached to the other end of the lid. You droop the hose down into the bottom of the reservoir. Pump with your hand for about 5 seconds to suck fluid into the bottle, filling it up. Just before it fills up, stop pumping. Dump out the fluid. Do it until you got all the reservoir fluid out, probably 5 bottles full. Should take no less than 5 minutes. The key is to never let the bottle get too full or it will pull into the pump which isn't good.

Power steering reservoir takes about 2 and a half bottles or 3 minutes. Brake reservoir takes about 1 and a half bottles, or about 2 minutes.