Radiator/Cooling system flush DIY of Honda Civic 8th Gen

[saadkhangul]

how many bottles did you get how many litres of the diluted mixture was used, bought two today after seeing your post got it for 900

I used 2 bottles and it costed me 710 per bottle. The total mixture was 4 liters but my car took a bit more so used distilled water to top it off. Bought one more bottle now in case i need to add. The mixture recommended was 50/50 but in my case water was more and i think that much wont hurt. I will top the reservoir with concentrate to even out the ratio. So for your concern 60/40 wont hurt.

[janleva]

iam thinking to do the same

[capsat]

Here is something a bit strange. The 8th gen Civic service booklet says the coolant change is at 80,000 and the Honda City service booklet adds another note saying coolant change is at ten years.

I have learnt from owning other cars that coolant and brake fluid are changed based on time intervals rather than km intervals. For example, my BMW 5 series manual stipulates that coolant be replaced every three years and the brake fluid every two years regardless of how much the car has run. My 1988 Jaguar Sovereign service manual says to change the coolant every two years. So basically it is safe to say that coolant needs to be changed every two to three years.

I bought my Civic in 2007 brand new. At the time I was working out of the country and the car has been with the family all this time. Now that I am back, things are getting a closer look. The odometer reading is 55,000Km and the car is 7 years old. As per Honda service booklet, there is no need to change the coolant. This did not sit well with me. I went down to the local 3S work shop and discussed this matter with the service advisor, I guy I have begun to respect over time. He said outright that as far as he was concerned the coolant needed to be changed every 2-3 years (just as I thought). Based on that the car was booked in yesterday for a coolant and brake fluid change.

I think the coolant replacement intervals stipulated by Honda seem a bit strange! What are your thoughts?

abbasi saheb, typographical errors are considered ' CHALTA HAI ' like in our system ' sab kar rahay hain ' means k it is legal. I change coolant at start of summer every year and flush brake fluid every 2 years because quality of automotive consumables in our country are highly questionable my regular ride is 20 year old Toyota Corolla.

[ziyad.ahmad.391]

Ride is going better than ever bro.

The major change that i have noticed is that it reaches the optimal temperature quicker than before. Before it took near 9-10 minutes, now it reaches in 5-6 minutes. last year in june in lahore on mall road in extreme traffic and a/c on, the temp needle raised by two points on signal. After moving it came back.

Now Stress tested the car by driving it in extreme traffic and pushing it in initial gears with a/c on. The temp needle wont move.

Remember to drain the block too by removing that big bolt on block. It has green mark on it.

Technically you need a little more than 2 bottles but it doesnt matter that much. 2 bottles will do the job.

You can gather the water dripping from a/c and use it. If you cant, then get filtered water and boil it if possible. Or you can use plain old tap water. Its not a human that you have watch closely mineral intake that much But make sure that the water is not salty.

I culdnt find that big bolt looked twice.. wuld it be okay if I just drain the radiator and the the bottle while the engine is cold coz all the coolant wuld be in the radiator and bottle instead of the block(as per my knowledge)..if u culd post a pic of that bolt from ur own engine I culd easily make out:-)

[saadkhangul]

I culdnt find that big bolt looked twice.. wuld it be okay if I just drain the radiator and the the bottle while the engine is cold coz all the coolant wuld be in the radiator and bottle instead of the block(as per my knowledge)..if u culd post a pic of that bolt from ur own engine I culd easily make out:-)

At first even i couldn't find it but it is there. I will post a picture of it in the morning. No, the block also holds quite some amount of coolant. you must take the entire coolant out or the old coolant will spoil the new one. Just open the block drain and radiator drain and all the coolant should come out. Screw them back and fill with water and run the car for 10 minutes and then drain the water too. Then fill up the coolant.

[saadkhangul]

abbasi saheb, typographical errors are considered ' CHALTA HAI ' like in our system ' sab kar rahay hain ' means k it is legal. I change coolant at start of summer every year and flush brake fluid every 2 years because quality of automotive consumables in our country are highly questionable my regular ride is 20 year old Toyota Corolla.

Yes that is correct interval for changing the coolant and brake oil. Change the power steering fluid and coolant every year, engine oil after 5000 km, transmission oil after 40,000 km. Do other preventative maintenance and you car will never betray you on road.

[janleva]

Will look for the engine drain bolt tomorrow as well is under the enginevor on the sides whats the size of the bolt ..will a wrench be fine to open it.

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[msabbasi]

abbasi saheb, typographical errors are considered ' CHALTA HAI ' like in our system ' sab kar rahay hain ' means k it is legal. I change coolant at start of summer every year and flush brake fluid every 2 years because quality of automotive consumables in our country are highly questionable my regular ride is 20 year old Toyota Corolla.

@capsat Masha Allah great ride. I am so glad that you guys are knowledgeable to agree that certainly 80,000 km or ten years is total nonsense for a coolant change interval.

[capsat]

abbasi saheb thank you for kind words. let me confess whole heartedly all this knowledge base multiplication is learning from xulfiqar, rustam65, ser_gtr, argtr and people like spectra, deedee, Romano, involved so much in DIYs. I'd say their input, suggestions & guidance gave me enough confidence to do plenty all on my own & alone ( with an extra pair of hands as helper ).

in my earlier days at PW a mercedes tail fin in family [ my family purchased from a legislator of NWFP for 78000 almost unused before 1971 war ] was adopted by my cousin & friend in Islamabad i asked some help for the vehicle to restore - xulfiqar & another member challenged me for sharing wrong info we came head to head and one fine day i choose to investigate with MB Germany because xulfiqar raised the stakes. local shahnawaz goofs snobs losers they had no idea of what i was asking, To MB Germany I i sent 7 snaps of mercedes with ID plate & engine bay pics.

The revelation was startling. Xulfiqar was right - The car was not it is according to ID plate, it was an NCP jumble up of engine & ID plate from an unknown designated vehicle not manufactured by MB Germany - It was collection of shell & engine of unknown pedigree, as Iran was assembling mercedes vehicles & buses ( golden days) afghansitan was assembling diesel engines for truck & buses ( thats where TATA stole Mercedes technology & compelled MB Germany to sign TOT )

without further work over that NCP merc we sold the car as it is for 225000 - That day ON my study base expanded and i religiously follow 3 - 5 guys over this forum.

[Ally1]

Excellent bro mashallah u did very fine job

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[saadkhangul]

I culdnt find that big bolt looked twice.. wuld it be okay if I just drain the radiator and the the bottle while the engine is cold coz all the coolant wuld be in the radiator and bottle instead of the block(as per my knowledge)..if u culd post a pic of that bolt from ur own engine I culd easily make out:-)

Here you go bro,

[saadkhangul]

Will look for the engine drain bolt tomorrow as well is under the enginevor on the sides whats the size of the bolt ..will a wrench be fine to open it.

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Sorry, don't know about 99 civic. Try looking in the workshop manual.

[ziyad.ahmad.391]

Here you go bro,

THANKS ALOT bro..very kind of u..btw just for knowledge sake..what does that large metal pipe do which is located next to that bolt?

[saadkhangul]

THANKS ALOT bro..very kind of u..btw just for knowledge sake..what does that large metal pipe do which is located next to that bolt?

That pipe is goes from thermostat to waterpump.

[saadkhangul]

Excellent bro mashallah u did very fine job

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Thanks bro. Your appreciation means a lot.

[sk_020]

So you are also going for a DIY ? or gonna get it done from somewhere ?

Nahi yaar will get it done from honda people. I don't wanna take any risk as my car travels almost 100-150 kms daily and one continuous 1000km trip after a month. As you know honda's are sensitive when it comes to cooling systems.

[saadkhangul]

Nahi yaar will get it done from honda people. I don't wanna take any risk as my car travels almost 100-150 kms daily and one continuous 1000km trip after a month. As you know honda's are sensitive when it comes to cooling systems.

Seems like you are one of the guys who trust honda guys. Believe me buddy, they are random roadside mechanics recruited by honda. None of them are qualified or have education about automotives. Whenever i went to them they never were able to properly diagnose the problem. According to them, the solution to every issue is to replace the whole part which costs a fortune. Wearing honda uniform, having fancy tools and workstations does not make them good mechanics. I can surely vouch that you will get genuine spare parts from them but dont rely on their mechanics.

Cooling system flush is a pretty straightforward and easy task. You can hardly screw up. Anyways if it gives you mental satisfaction, get it done from them.

[sk_020]

Seems like you are one of the guys who trust honda guys. Believe me buddy, they are random roadside mechanics recruited by honda. None of them are qualified or have education about automotives. Whenever i went to them they never were able to properly diagnose the problem. According to them, the solution to every issue is to replace the whole part which costs a fortune. Wearing honda uniform, having fancy tools and workstations does not make them good mechanics. I can surely vouch that you will get genuine spare parts from them but dont rely on their mechanics.

Cooling system flush is a pretty straightforward and easy task. You can hardly screw up. Anyways if it gives you mental satisfaction, get it done from them.

You are right buddy. Their mechanics are no different than road side mechanics. My city's blower stopped working due to some reason. They gave an estimate of 16k and were replacing whole blower. I asked them to check resistance first, which they did and problem got solved after just blowing simple pressurized air through it.
Now I'm thinking to go for DIY on this weekend. I hope everything goes well. I only go to Honda people just because If anything goes wrong(God forbid), i can hold them responsible for that. Road side mechanic ko kuch b nae kaha ja sakta.

[saadkhangul]

You are right buddy. Their mechanics are no different than road side mechanics. My city's blower stopped working due to some reason. They gave an estimate of 16k and were replacing whole blower. I asked them to check resistance first, which they did and problem got solved after just blowing simple pressurized air through it.
Now I'm thinking to go for DIY on this weekend. I hope everything goes well. I only go to Honda people just because If anything goes wrong(God forbid), i can hold them responsible for that. Road side mechanic ko kuch b nae kaha ja sakta.

If your car is on honda coolant, then its a pretty easy job. Just drain the radiator and block and fill in new coolant. No flush is needed.

[saadkhangul]

You are right buddy. Their mechanics are no different than road side mechanics. My city's blower stopped working due to some reason. They gave an estimate of 16k and were replacing whole blower. I asked them to check resistance first, which they did and problem got solved after just blowing simple pressurized air through it.
Now I'm thinking to go for DIY on this weekend. I hope everything goes well. I only go to Honda people just because If anything goes wrong(God forbid), i can hold them responsible for that. Road side mechanic ko kuch b nae kaha ja sakta.

And what about your steering issue ? Has it stopped leaking ? If it is still leaking, then i bet they did not tighten the new power steering pipe properly over the rack.