Civicnoobie

The only thing i know how to do is change my air filter and my ATF. Seeing the DIY on doing a coolant drain and fill (not flush since i dont trust myself putting water in), it looks like something thats not much harder than a ATF drain and fill?

The last time my coolant was changed was 1.5yrs ago. Was just a drain and fill. And had a flush 2yrs ago, but dont recall the mech putting distilled water in, but he did get pretty much all the coolant out of the system.

I know a drain and fill only gets out about 35% of the coolant but if i can do this every year, it would save me from having to pay for a flush. I would just deal with this one cap circled in the pic, drain into pan and refil from top.

ezone

You got it, kid.
Open the drain, let it go into a bucket.
Take the cap off of the radiator.
Walk away for 20 minutes while it drains.

Tighten the drainplug, refill the radiator and burp the air out of it. Fill the reservoir bottle to the max line. Check it again after a couple of days.
Takes about a gallon.
That's about half the system capacity.

Factory coolant (Honda Type 2) is blue, long life, non-silicate, non-borate, and is already pre-mixed with deionized water. Just open the jug and pour it in.

scooty

Is there a coolant drain plug or bolt on the engine block as well?

04 Honda Civic

iTrader: (2)

Yes there is, not much will come out but if you want to remove it all it will need to be removed.

Put the heat on hot when it drains and open the rad cap makes draining more efficient.

Most important part is getting out all the air or you will overheat.

You know you got it right when your heat is very hot.

sl33pyriceboi

iTrader: (3)

No there isn't. The drain plug is under the radiator.

Civicnoobie

How do you get the air out? Should the engine and rad be cold when doing this?

Is there anywhere online i can buy honda coolant for cheaper? Cause a 5L is $25 at the dealer.

sl33pyriceboi

iTrader: (3)

^you park on a slope, front facing up and run your engine for 10mins ish.

pjb3

I would point out that if you are using Honda coolant it is long life and replacing it yearly as you originally stated is overkill.

Civicnoobie

WITH the radiator already filled to max line with coolant right?

sl33pyriceboi

iTrader: (3)

^yes.