On Sun, 11 Apr 2004 01:48:02 GMT, "mike" <mikein562athotmail@hotmail.com>
wrote:

>
>"George Macdonald" <fammacd=!SPAM^nothanks@tellurian.com> wrote in message
>news:16sg7054n693rtjq4lj5d29on4mpo65bma@4ax.com.. .
>> On Sat, 10 Apr 2004 18:20:31 GMT, MG Midget <TripleA@DoubleD.com> wrote:
>>
>> >
>> >
>> >Have a 96 Accord that is low on coolant---probably needs flush and
>replace.
>>
>> I've never seen any need to flush with modern engines/coolants, unless the
>> system is contaminated, has had a gasket leak or the likes.
>
>would you still recommend every 30k doing a drain/refill?

Whatever is recommended though I'm a bit leary of Honda's current
recommendations of 120K miles to first change. Honda Type 2 coolant is
marked as good for 60K miles after that first change.

>> >I am wondering if, for the time being, I can put Prestone DexCool (the
>> >orange stuff). I had some leftover from a Saturn that required it, and
>> >want to know if the Accord is less fussy about coolants.
>>
>> Given all the controversy on Dex-Cool, see links here
>> http://www.imcool.com/index.html, I wouldn't touch that stuff. It could
>be
>> just lawyers cashing in but then again.......
>>
>> I will not put anything but Honda brand coolant in a Honda system, based
>on
>> experience which has already been much discussed here.
>
>AFAIK, as long as its silicate and phosphate free, its ok.

One bad experience, admittedly with Prestone regular, makes me wary. Honda
is unique with their all aluminum engined fleet and I'm not inclined to
experiment.

Rgds, George Macdonald

"Just because they're paranoid doesn't mean you're not psychotic" - Who, me??