Today, my car ( 1997 Honda Prelude Type-SH ) started overheating while sitting at a stop with the motor idleing. Whenever the car was in motion, the temperature stayed fine and normal. It was just when the car was stationary that the temperature gauge started to climb. After taking it to a shop, we discovered that the radiator was splitting and needed to be replaced. Normally I would just pull my radiator out and swap in a new one, but I am reluctant to do so because of this concern:

I have read that the ATTS unit has lines that carry antifreeze/coolant to the unit and run through the radiator. I have also read that a special bleeding procedure is required when removing and reinstalling these lines, which is a necessity in doing a radiator swap of course. If not bleeded properly, I've heard that the ATTS unit could burn up. Is this true? If it is true, I think I'll just take it to a Honda specialist instead of doing it myself. Thanks for any information.

 

all that you have read is bull ****.

the ATF in the ATTS unit runs through the lines to the bottom of the radiator. The radiator is the same style as that of an Automatic car.

1 - drain coolant
2 - drain atts
3 - unhook atts lines from rad
4 - unhook rad lines
5 - remove rad
6 - install new
7 - re attach and re fill all hoses and lines. ATTS uses HONDA ATF.

 

Wow, that's good to know. Thanks a lot.

I have one more question: how do you bleed the cooling system the Prelude? Is there a bleeder valve anywhere? Also, how do I go about draining the coolant? Is there a drain plug on the bottom of the radiator, or is there a drain plug on the engine, or both?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by DIRTYsouthBB6 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Wow, that's good to know. Thanks a lot.

I have one more question: how do you bleed the cooling system the Prelude? Is there a bleeder valve anywhere? Also, how do I go about draining the coolant? Is there a drain plug on the bottom of the radiator, or is there a drain plug on the engine, or both?</TD></TR></TABLE>

take the radiator cap off and then on the bottom of the radiator there is a (white i think) drain valve. open it up and empty it out.

as far as bleeding it afterwards, just run the car for a bit (20 min or so) with the cap off, and when the radiator looks like it will take some more coolant put it in. then check it a couple days later.

 

You're the man Shakes... thank you much.

 

there is a bleeder valve on the thermostat housing, right under the throttle body...

fill up the new rad as much as you can, squeeze hoses and try to work out as much air as you can, then start the motor up, loosen the bleeder.....let it run a bit, and top off the coolant as much as you can....

as soon as it starts to get a bit hot, the coolant will start to raise almost enough to spill out of the top of the rad, put the cap on when it does that, and then just let it bleed for a while more....when the bleeder is shooting a solid squirt of coolant, close it....

it will be good to drive then....just keep the overflow full, it will suck some of it up....then check it in the morning, and top off if necessary....