How to drain V-6 Accord ??

[RCogburn]

Looking for help, both hoses on the Gen 7 V-6 ('07) come off the top of the block. How do I get a full drain to replace the factory fluid ? I believe both the Honda fluid/blue and the Zerex Asian are both 50/50 mixes and I don't want to leave half the old fluid in the block.
If I repeatedly drain and refill with distilled water, I still need an undiluted antifreeze to end up with something approaching 50/50. I can't have anything less than that in MN.
Is there a plug on the block for full antifreeze drain, or do I need to use some kind of pump to suck the rest out thru the thermostat housing to get a full replacement?
Your thoughts would be appreciated, thanks.

 

[stang5]

our 04 accord V6 has a engine block drain plug directly across from the radiator, yours should too.. I would drain the radiator and engine block ( dispose fluid properly of course) and use a garden hose to flush the radiator and engine block until water runs clear..

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: stang5
our 04 accord V6 has a engine block drain plug directly across from the radiator, yours should too.. I would drain the radiator and engine block ( dispose fluid properly of course) and use a garden hose to flush the radiator and engine block until water runs clear..


There's no reason to "flush" the system. Drain and refill as much as you can and refill with 50/50 mix. The Honda Type 2 fluid only comes in pre-mix form. Also, the recommended interval takes into consideration the amount of fluid changed -- which is why the first service is at 10/120k, and subsequent services are every 5/60k.

 

[KrisZ]

Yup I would just do a drain and fill as well. Too much hassle with flushing and then trying to get a proper concentration with 50/50.

 

[RCogburn]

Thanks guys. Draining just the radiator will leave half the original fluid in the system for 15 years if we follow factory recommendation; and some of it for 20. I'm trying to wrap my head around that. I still remember when full drain / fill was required every two years.
stang5, is that drain reachable from the top or do you have to get at it from the underside ? Special tools required ? If I can get at it, I'd rather do this just once before I trade off the car.

 

[fdcg27]

A number of drains and fills with clean water will eventually result in only water in the system.
You can then add half the system capacity as undiluted coolant and then top it off with water.
This will give you a 50/50 mix.
As a man with true grit, I'm sure that you won't mind all of the time this will require.
Not sure that this is really needed, though, unless you have reason to believe that the system is really dirty.
FWIU, coolant never loses its anti-freeze properties. Only its ability to resist corrosion and to lubricate the water pump are lost over time and miles of use.

 

[RCogburn]

Understood fdcg27, multiple drains and fill w/distilled water works but the choices I looked at were only available at 50% dilution.
Did Honda make the blue stuff available in concentrate at one time ?
I may have found the bolt that drains the block. Getting at it and getting it loose without taking the front end off may be the question.

 

[Sayjac]

Unfortunately with a premix like Honda Type2 doing a distilled flush series and then trying to obtain the correct AF concentration is not possible the way described for a concentrate. But, in addition to being 100% AF (not half water) it is why a concentrate is preferable if a system flush is desired.

Looking at engine diagrams at several Honda parts sites, it appears that there are two block drains on the 3.0L V6, one in the front and one in the back. Now whether just one or both would need to be used is unknown as far as I can tell. I read one site that said just the back one is designed to be used. I've also read that these bolts can be installed very tightly, making removal difficult. It seems from reading that the back one though may have some sort of a drain system designed into the bolt, but I can't say/tell for sure.

Another consideration is, the timing belt/water pump service on the V6 might be a good time for the first AF cooling system service.

I did read something in this I didn't know but would like to see authoritatively confirmed. That being, that the 5year/60k subsequent AF interval is because only a Type 2 radiator d&f will be done. Not saying it's not possible but I've not seen that stated before as the ultimate reason.

 

[901Memphis]

You can do multiple drain and fills on the same day after mixing the new stuff in with the old stuff and then waiting for it to cool back off. If the system doesn't show contamination then you don't need to do a flush with distilled water. Your just refinishing the additives mainly.

If its like any other Asian vehicle of similar age the cooling system is probably spotless.

 

[Tosh]

Is this procedure not in the owner's manual? (It is for my 01 CL...)

 

[Dan55]

Here's the concentrate you were looking for http://www.bernardiparts.com/Honda-Anti-...OL999-9020.aspx

 

[RCogburn]

Thanks for the additional insight.

No mention of draining the block in the manual, Tosh, simply drain and refill the radiator.

Thanks for the link to the concentrate Dan55, might be simpler than trying to get at the block drains, hassling to get at least one bolt off then find out later it leaks!

The fluid in the overflow bottle is clean so I hope thats a good sign of no other problems but draining the radiator will confirm.

 

[Sayjac]

'If' your local dealer will match Bernardi's online price for the concentrate which is only comes in quarts it will cost ~$37 for 5 qts. to obtain a 50% concentration using ~4.5 qts. for the 3.0L system capacity of 8.9 qt. Pretty steep. If one had to order from Bernardi and include shipping that would add another ~$20 to me.

 

[901Memphis]

If the reservoir is clear you should be good for 50/50 drain and fills.