martin lynch <odiegoogle@yahoo.com> wrote in news:cb1ca0fd-465a-4e29-
8222-03cf02df402b@y79g2000hsa.googlegroups.com:

> I have a 2001 Honda Civic and need to drain and fill my radiator. I
> have read some tutorials but have a few questions:
>
> 1) Some have advised draining the radiator, then filling with
> distilled water and running for a while, then draining the water and
> filling with coolant. However, if I put water in, won't that get
> circulated into the engine block? If so, when I refill the radiator
> with my pre-mixed 50/50 coolant (comes this way from Honda), then my
> coolant in the system will be super diluted as it mixes with the water
> I introduced into the engine block. Am I missing something here?


You MUST drain the block as well as the rad. The block has its own drain
plug.

DO NOT just drain the rad. DO NOT fill the system with water and run it.

With block and rad drains open, run water from garden hose into rad
until drains run clear. Allow water to drain, then close drains.

If you need to capture /all/ flush water, open block drain only, place
large container on ground. Feed water in thru rad neck. When block drain
runs clear, allow it to empty, but leave open. Move catch container.
Open rad drain. More water thru rad neck until rad runs clear. Now close
both drains. Don't feed water thru rad too hard during this step, or
else it will come out thru block drain as well.


>
> 2) If the car has a bleeder valve (not sure if it does, I'll have to
> check), how does it work? Do I simply open the valve while filling the
> radiator while the car is off? Or do I fill the radiator, close the
> radiator cap, then open the valve while the engine is running?


No bleeder valve. Fill system thru rad filler neck. Leave cap off. Start
engine. "Burp" upper rad hose to help free bubbles. Add as needed thru
rad neck until the level no longer drops but rises and begins to spill
out of neck. Put cap back. Make sure reservoir is filled to MAX. Allow
car to idle until rad fan comes on twice (WATCH DASHBOARD GAUGE!). Shut
engine off and allow to cool fully (two hrs or more) . Add coolant to
reservoir back to MAX mark. Check rad to make certain level is still up
to top with no air present. Watch reservoir level after next few drives.
Add as necessary until it stops dropping.


>
> 3) If I do the bleeding method where I open the cap and run the
> engine, do I simply observe the fluid in the radiator while the engine
> is heating up, and pour coolant in as the level drops, WHILE THE
> ENGINE IS RUNNING? At what point do I need to worry that the coolant
> will get so hot that steam blows my head off? Or does this not happen
> since I'm running the engine with the cap off, preventing a pressure
> buildup?



See above.



--
Tegger

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/