This is my first time changing the coolant in a car so I'm need of detailed help. I have a 1995 Honda Civic EX coupe with approximately 176,000 miles. I got the car from someone who did do dealer maintenance but I only know they changed the timing belt in the last few thousand miles.

I have tried searching and came up with the following:

• FAQs on this site: ( https://honda-tech.com/forums/honda-civic-del-sol-1992-2000-1/faqs-frequently-asked-tech-questions-1998336/ ) ---> "How to Bleed the Cooling System" --> takes you to a diagram of the cooling system... hardly useful for me. http://photobucket.com/gallery/user/...NDIwNw==/?ref=
• "How To: Flush Coolant System, and Change Thermostat. (56K=No way)" --> written for a 97 EX. I assume that several things changed and besides, there are no pictures or diagrams which makes it useless to me.
  • Use a garden hose? Really???? Doesn't tap water contain a ton of deposits, chlorine, flouride, etc.? I can't imagine tap water in the cooling system is any good even if it's just temporary. I always thought only distilled water should be used. Using tap water sounds extremely problematic.
• "Thermostat Replacement" --> not sure if this is applicable to a 1995 Civic EX. Also, is this a complete coolant flush or just enough to change the thermostat?
• Video: "
  How to change coolant fluid Honda Civic radiator. Years 1991 to 1996
  "....
  • This is more my speed!
  • QUESTION: Someone in the comments mentioned that he should have drained the block too. Makes sense, but how?
  • QUESTION: I thought cooling systems run under pressure, even if semi-warm. Clearly he didn't hurt himself but should you really run the engine and keep the system open like that?

Other questions:

• The coolant is currently a bright greenish color. No rust. I purchased the Honda coolant from the dealership but it's red. Is this newer (?) formula coolant compatible with a 1995 Civic EX?
• The reservoir next to the radiator has lots of black crud in it. How do I remove it to clean it?

Is there a beginner's guide with pictures and/or videos that explains how to do a coolant replacement on a 95 Civic EX? I'm not completely helpless but I like details and I like doing things to manufacturer specification. Virtually everything I've found so far assumes prior experience or has some kind of omission.

EDIT: Isn't there a new way to flush the system using a hose/pump system that avoids having to open petcock valves, hoses, etc.? I think I've seen some of the quick oil change places do it that way. I don't know what they are called of if they're any good.

Thanks

EDIT: Been searching for hours and I think I finally found what I needed.... https://www.docdroid.net/bs7ChjF/95-...ing-system.pdf

 

I just did mine this past weekend. Follow the link and go to the cooling section, will give you a step by step of how to drain and fill.

https://cardiagn.com/1992-95-honda-c...repair-manual/

 

weird that it is red, maybe something I don't know about

I recently bought coolant from the dealer and it was blue Type 2

 

You're right... it's Honda Genuine Type 2 (blue).

 

There is a block drain plug on the front side of the block near the transmission end. It may or may not come out after being there 25 years. But it's not that important to drain the block if you fill with distilled water a couple of times and drain it out through the radiator. There will be some distilled water left in the system. Since you know the total capacity you can add the right amount of concentrated coolant to end up with a 50:50 mixture.

For best results you should disconnect the radiator and heater hoses and flush those parts separately from the engine. Initial flushing with tap water is fine.

 

honda coolant is pre diluted, do not add water to it.

If you are flushiing which Im not really a fan of a little water left over will be ok.

If the fluid coming out of the radiator\block is still bright green, I would just drain and refill I would worry about taking the bolt out of the front of the block.

If you want to flush the radiator, disconnect the bottom hose and dump a gallon of distilled water through it.

as far as your video all 92-00 are pretty much the same, only difference i think is the 96+ don't have the air bleeder on the upper water neck coming off the block

I purchased one of these although I have not used it yet, which should make bleeding the air super easy.


When you replace the thermostat I would recommend getting an OEM one from honda with the gasket, then when installing make sure to lube the gasket with coolant and also there is a little bypass that should be position up, just pay attention to the old one when you take it out

 

If you want to drain the block there should be a hex bolt on the block, either behind the headers or on the back of the block. Crack it but be careful not to strip the threads.