2002 Civic LX coolant - don't drain the block?

[y_p_w]

Got some Honda Type 2 blue for less than $15 a gallon. Parts guy says it should be enough and don't sweat if there's water bringing the concentration down given our mild climate as long as a tester says at least 40%.

He also advised not draining the block and just changing more often. Mentioned someone who snapped off the bolt and couldn't get it to seal afterwards. I was inclined to do that anyways. Any idea how often? Honda says every 5 years or 60K miles. I'm thinking maybe half that just because I'm conservative about it.

 

[Artem]

Whats the mileage at now? Is this the very first coolant flush?

 

[y_p_w]

Originally Posted By: Artem
Whats the mileage at now? Is this the very first coolant flush?

Maybe 11 years and 68K miles. I also dumped some washer fluid last weekend, although it didn't really mix and I poured out the overflow tank before it had a chance to get sucked into the radiator.

 

[kschachn]

I think it really depends on the type of drain. On my Accord it is a plug with an aluminum sealing washer. It can't snap off, either it comes out or it doesn't. Same with my BMW although of a somewhat different design. The drain on my Toyotas is totally different. They are these little spout things with a screw for the valve, I have never touched those. Partly because they are nearly impossible to reach, but also partly because I am afraid they won't seal up when closed.

What kind of drain does the Honda have? Be prepared though if you remove it. Most of the time they are inconveniently located such that you have to have your face up near the thing to get it out. There is generally quite a torrent of coolant that escapes, and splashes all over everything on the way down. I tend to like to use them if I can as there is quite a bit of coolant in the block after just draining the radiator.

Originally Posted By: y_p_w
Got some Honda Type 2 blue for less than $15 a gallon. Parts guy says it should be enough and don't sweat if there's water bringing the concentration down given our mild climate as long as a tester says at least 40%.

He also advised not draining the block and just changing more often. Mentioned someone who snapped off the bolt and couldn't get it to seal afterwards. I was inclined to do that anyways. Any idea how often? Honda says every 5 years or 60K miles. I'm thinking maybe half that just because I'm conservative about it.

 

[Sayjac]

Originally Posted By: y_p_w
...Honda says every 5 years or 60K miles. I'm thinking maybe half that just because I'm conservative about it.

According to Critic, Honda figures the 5yr/60k considering the remaining AF left in the block, I can not confirm that because I've not seen it verified.

Having an 01 Civic and an Accord to maintain, I can tell you the block drain on the Civic is a pita to reach and remove (above oil filter), it's said to be on tight like the ATF fill hole on the 3.0L V6. The 3.0L V6 shows two black drains, one in the front and one in the rear and I've seen no specific instruction whether one or both would need to be removed. Bottom line, never messed with the Civic bd and no intention of touching the Accords either.

I'd say for you and peace of mind, shorten the interval some and just do a radiator d&f with Type2. Despite what the parts guy said, I would however test the AF concentration with an AF tester to get it to 50% or close.

If Type 2 came in a readily available, reasonably priced concentrate, this whole discussion would be moot. Then one could just do distilled flush series, add concentrate to 50% concentration, top with distilled.

 

[y_p_w]

Originally Posted By: kschachn
What kind of drain does the Honda have? Be prepared though if you remove it. Most of the time they are inconveniently located such that you have to have your face up near the thing to get it out. There is generally quite a torrent of coolant that escapes, and splashes all over everything on the way down. I tend to like to use them if I can as there is quite a bit of coolant in the block after just draining the radiator.

I did it before on my '95 Integra GS-R with the original Honda green coolant. That one was on the front of the block and was a 19 mm 6-pt head. It came gushing out everywhere. I wasn't sure if it took a crush washer, so I just used a non-hardening sealant on the threads.

I understand that a "flush" where a clear water is drained through the radiator and/or block is probably unnecessary. The primary reason for the drain is that the corrosion inhibitors are depleted (esp after 11 years). A secondary reason is to reduce the amount of stuff that might gel out, although that's typically been silicates.

Of course I've heard of some who still insist on a drain and fill once a year. Prestone used to advocate it, although I'm pretty sure it was to sell more coolant.

 

[The_Eric]

If your cooling system is clean looking, then there is no real reason for a flush. Simply do a drain and fill.

I used to go rounds with my boss when doing cooling systems. I'd recommend a cooling system service, based on time or mileage and he'd tell me to flush it. Well, the system was spotless otherwise and not in need of one. The customer would be paying unnecessarily, and that didn't sit well with me.

 

[Tomcat_80]

Sayjac is right, the 01-04 civics with 1.7L engine block drain is PITA. Did one before, got lucky it came out. If you do it make sure you run it til the fans come on I think 3 times.

 

[SOHCman]

Originally Posted By: Tomcat_80
Sayjac is right, the 01-04 civics with 1.7L engine block drain is PITA. Did one before, got lucky it came out. If you do it make sure you run it til the fans come on I think 3 times.


Why would you warm the engine till the fan comes on for a coolent change? The fan thing applies to honda ECUs relearning idle behavior , but thats 2 fan cycles, not 3.

 

[garlicbreadman]

There is probably just as much coolant in the block as there is in the radiator.