anyone done it themselves?

 

Yes, I've done it before. It's pretty easy. Just drain the fluid from the reservoir and from the block, then refill.

Here's a quick how to: http://bseries.net/html/garage/thermo.php

 

Also if you aren't too lazy might I recommend filling it once w/ water or radiator flush (~$4 at auto parts store) and running it for maybe 30 mins, then repeat.

 

i heard that they can use press to wash it out or something...

 

draining the radiator is not the same as flushing the system. it is possible to rig something up but i would recommend bringing it to a shop that has a flusher. i have never done it without using a coolant flusher but im sure it can be rigged. to hook up a coolant maching you take off the upper radiator hose, attach the thermostat side to the drain, and attach another hose to the radiator side for the fill. the drain just goes to a large drain tank, and the fill goes to a fill tank about 5 feet in the air. (higher than the car). that way when coolant goes out of the drain, gravity fills the radiator back up. allowing you to run the car and flush it all out or cycle new stuff in. coolant will not drain out until the thermostat opens when the motors up at heat. if you had something so that you could elevate a fill bucket, and store the old stuff coming out which is hot when it drains than you can do it at home. for 50 or 60 bucks, i would get it done at a shop.

 

Do what I do to flush, take upper hose off radiator, put garden hose into radiator, run engine for 1/2 hour. drain put antifreeze in quantity known for colling system mix, then top off with water while burping air from system.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by virginia_dude &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Do what I do to flush, take upper hose off radiator, put garden hose into radiator, run engine for 1/2 hour. drain put antifreeze in quantity known for colling system mix, then top off with water while burping air from system.</TD></TR></TABLE>

hmm...sounds like it would be effective.

 

Here's how I do it on my GSR. Pull Lower and Upper Radiator Hoses off, remove the Thermostat and Block Drain. Flush water and one way and backflush it the other way to get everything out. Then flush out the Radiator and install everything back on. Create an Air Bleed and fill the Cooling System with Antifreeze or Coolant, which ever way you prefer. (I use Antifreeze and add water later..) Then it's just a waiting game as the Coolant is cylced through I just add more water and then check the protection level..

Whatever way you do it, just have fun with it and it'll go fine..

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by eastbay92cx &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Also if you aren't too lazy might I recommend filling it once w/ water or radiator flush (~$4 at auto parts store) and running it for maybe 30 mins, then repeat.</TD></TR></TABLE>

If your talking about that additive that you add when doing a flush, its garbage. Its suppose to eat away at the crap clogged in the system but it never stops and eat a hole in your radiator.

 

No, I tend to ignore the claims of most "addtives" to be honest, whether cooling system, fuel system, oil crankcase. The stuff I'm talking about is called radiator flush, contains some anti-rust agent(s) and lubricates the water pump. You run it with clean water for a half hour then flush it.

On a side note, I believe maintence is very important and I don't mean to get down on anyone personally, but I think way too big of a deal is being made over this subject. Just remember that you aren't going through the engine block unless the *thermostat is open at normal operating temperature*, and you'll be fine. Flush it with water, flush it 20 times with coolant, use water wetter, or just drain the radiator and engine block, discard, and refill. I don't think it matters all that much. Good luck.

 

If your coolant is not in too bad of shape, just do what Honda recommends. Just drain the rad and the block and refill. Most dealers only do just the rad. All of that flushing crap is just that......crap. You would only need it if your cooling system has been grossly neglected (not changed every 2 years)

 

i would disagree with mighty mouse, and highly recommend getting youre whole system flushed. otherwise you are putting new coolant into a dirty system, you get new dirty coolant. most of the crap that builds up youre system will stick in the block, on the freeze plugs in and the little nitches that draining could never get out. just go pay 50 bucks and get it done right.

 

ya.. too much of a headache and debate.. ill probably just have it done... thanks for all of the responds tho..