Radiator (coolant) flush, what do you guys use?
 

I have an '09 Fit Sport with M/T, about 95,000 miles. I'm the original owner and I definitely love this car (it's my first car) and I've taken good care of it. It's time for a coolant change. Last time I did it, I had an auto shop do it and I paid a lot. I'd rather save some money and do it myself. I know how to do my own oil changes and filter swap outs.

Anyway, I've seen some videos online and I think I know what I need to do but I am curious what you guys use for your flushes/coolant. What would you recommend? I live in a cold climate, if it matters. Supposed to be warm this weekend (40s) but we are usually below freezing during the winters.

Please let me know what you guys use for the flush in your Honda Fits, and what brand/type of coolant/antifreeze you put back in. If you have any other tips or Honda-Fit-specific videos on how to do this, please send them my way. Thanks.

coolant
 

I'm at 142k and I've about to do my third drain and fill. From what I've gathered from others here and in my travels:

1) dont flush, a drain and fill is good enough
2) stay with OEM Coolant
3) Get a different pan other than the one you use for oil (shops won't accept contaminated antifreeze ) and make sure it is wide enough and on top of towels or newspaper (splash zone is pretty big and it will hit your underbody panel and spread and drip

I do as Santiad does. Except I drain, refill with distilled water, run engine, drain, refill with OEM coolant. I doubt that my extra step is necessary. I just like doing it. :D

Thanks for the info, guys. I am not sure if I do the refill/drain step. Mister Coffee, how long do you run the engine after you've filled with distilled water?

My method:

As long as you drain it and flush with clean water,, then drain well before you put in the antifreeze your fine. the engine sheds more internally from normal heating and cooling than anything that your left over tap water will carry in there.. I use a hose with a reducer down to 3/8 and a valve so I can just let it run and keep flushing clean water through..

Always mix the antifreeze before you put the coolant in the car, I use a plastic bucket put a gal of the OEM or Zerex Asian Car formula then use the jug to add a equal amount of water, I just use filtered water. Make sure the car is parked on a light incline nose high to assist air bleeding out. Fill the radiator till you can see it in the neck but not till its into the cap.
Run the motor and keep adding coolant till bubbles stop coming out. Let the engine turn on the fan, Mine always gives a last surge of air just after that fan turns on.. Once it stops bubbling, I fill it to the brim and put the cap on, then fill the reservoir tank to the mid point.

Turn the car off and hose the radiator down with cold water, this will cause the system to suck fluid out of the tank and get a siphon working between the radiator and the overflow bottle. Then I put any of the mixed that I don't use back in the original jug and use it for top-offs

Good luck..

i use a spill-free funnel and just let the engine run until it is hot. i race it to 3k rpm for 10sec a couple of times too to get all the bubbles out.

i suppose you could do this with distilled water, drain it, then fill again using the honda factory coolant, but you cant get all the water out unless you remove a few parts. i didnt bother removing those parts so only used factory fluid.

Easy peasy - do this every 30,000 miles and no need to flush:

* Drain from the radiator drain only.
* Pull out the reservoir bottle and wash it in the sink then reinstall.
* Fill radiator with the spill-proof funnel with engine running. OEM 50/50 mix.
* Top off next day after driving it a bit.

I don't believe in chemical flushes for maintained systems. I don't believe in power flushes for any newer systems where sensors may be damaged. I don't believe in neglecting my stuff. And I don't believe I know better than the chemists that designed my vehicle to run on a particular set of fluids.

Until the fans turn on and off three times.

What is the difference between the Red and Blue?

Because any coolant answer will surely open more questions...

http://www.motor.com/magazinepdfs/082010_08.pdf

I've chosen Honda coolant to avoid any uncertainty in my mind. I figure that its higher cost is inconsequential when balanced against the cost of the vehicle. I plan to make an attempt to access the block drain bolt, but not make it an absolute element in the process if it resists access or removal.

How did that turn out?


Ed

I was not able to access the block drain bolt, so let it be. Did the simple drain and refill and all went well. Using 1 GA of Honda coolant, the reserve bottle is slightly overfilled above the 'Full' line, but that's not a problem.

....as others have posted: Xerex Asian formula because its a non Borate, non Silicate formula.

Alco RS-1,


Thanks for the reply


According to the Valvoline/Zerex website, ZAV is "Compatible with Asian vehicle coolants and cooling systems."


Ed