Coolant Question

[steveny]

I had a coolant hose blow out this weekend. Not fun. I had to have the car towed and I am waiting for Dali to send me the hoses so I can make the repair. I was 75 miles from home when this happened bur lucky for me I was close to my girlfriends parents home and secured my car in their garage.

I tried to use the FAQ section and it is not working for me. I want to pick up antifreeze on my way back to repair the car. Could someone please inform me on how much I need and is there a preference on brand or type I should use?

Let this be a lesson to all that have not replace their coolant lines.

 

[Jimbo]

I would really recommend that you stick with the Honda coolant.

They've done specific testing and have certain additives designed for aluminum engines.

Any Honda/Acura dealer should have it.

You'll need 16.9 quarts (manual) or 17.4 quarts (automatic).

-Jim

 

[nsxtasy]

You'll need 16.9 quarts (manual) or 17.4 quarts (automatic).

Why does the manual say that you need more (17.0 quarts or 17.4 quarts, as Jim notes above) for an "overhaul" than for a "coolant change" (12.7 quarts with either tranny)? What's the difference between the two?

Also, does the coolant get mixed with water, or used straight? And if mixed, are these the amounts of coolant, or the amounts after mixing?

 

[Jimbo]

Ken,

I'm assuming that an "overhaul" means that the block, head, etc are drained and would have to be replaced.

Generally, the coolant should be mixed 50/50 with water. Actually coolant/antifreeze doesn't cool as well as pure water. I use as only so much coolant/antifreeze to make sure things don't freeze up in my locale (per instructions).

But if you live in a warmer climate where it never freezes you should always have some minimal amount of coolant to lubricate the system and protect the internal passages from corrosion.

I generally don't go less than 25% but otherwise I would use as much to protect from freezing.

If you have a car that runs warm and you also live in a cold climate you might want to run two different mixes depending on the time of year.

It's also worth noting that the coolant should be changed every so often. I replace it every 3 years or so.

-Jim

PS: Everyone should be extra careful with disposal. Most coolants are highly toxic.

PPS: People who have cars that run hot should run as little "coolant" as possible and I'd suggest WaterWetter from Red Line.

 

[ChrisK]

Also, does the coolant get mixed with water, or used straight? And if mixed, are these the amounts of coolant, or the amounts after mixing?

If you buy the Honda coolant it comes premixed at 50/50. I bought two gallons from a Honda dealer and will try and replace my coolant tank with the Science of Speed tank that just came in today

 

[Larry Bastanza]

Guys,

The Honda coolant comes both ways. 50/50 premix, called Type II and the original 100% coolant. Honda coolant IS THE ONLY coolant that should be used.

I can tell you from experience that 12.7 qts. almost exactly was what I needed after a full drain and water pump replacement. I would say a few quarts may have been left in the lower part of the block, I guess it could be 5!!

Anyway, if you are changing hoses, the 12.7 or less will do it. Remember to bleed COMPLETELY. The best way is to raise the car on stands IN THE REAR only, so the radiator is lower then the engine block.

Fill until each bleeder (4) has a full stream of coolant coming out, close them as they bleed fully, front to back. Once the tank is full and all bleeders are closed, start the car and watch the guage, let it warm up, and go for a drive. TURN THE HEAT ON FULL(90) during the drive. Return home, LET IT COOL, check the level, you will probably add an additional quart.

HTH,
LarryB

 

[LJSB]

I'm not a coolant expert but it does need to be mixed with water to function properly. Water is what absorbs the heat given off by the motor thus cooling the engine and pure coolant alone is not as efficient and needs the water to give optimum performance. Coolant(anti freeze) is not just to prevent freezing but overheating too so it is just as important in the warmer climate to have a 50/50 mix.
The ph of the Honda coolant is specific for the materials (metals) used in their cooling system.
Does anyone know if the Type II has distilled water as a ingredient?

 

[steveny]

Thanks for all the feed back. I amstill not able to use the search feature within the FAQ. Could someone reply to this post as to where the four coolant bleeders are?

 

[Larry Bastanza]

Steveny,

1. Radiator
2. Hose going into the heater core under the front hood middle, towards the windshield, 1991's have a rubber end with a hose clamp, later models actually have a bleeder valve.
3. Fire wall in the engine bay (aluminum pipe)
4. Thermostat housing in engine bay.

Check the online maunal for pictures, etc.

HTH,
LarryB

 

[tosugrad]

SteveNY,

What year is your car and how many miles? I recently replaced several of the "accessible" hoses on my 91 with 32k. I talked to Brookfield Acura about doing the others and they quoted over $600 in labor! They also said that they have never seen a coolant line burst on a street car. Are you just lucky or are there a lot of others out there that share these issues? I know, I know, any hoses over 10 years old and you are just asking for trouble.....

 

[nsxtasy]

I recently replaced several of the "accessible" hoses on my 91 with 32k. I talked to Brookfield Acura about doing the others and they quoted over $600 in labor! They also said that they have never seen a coolant line burst on a street car. Are you just lucky or are there a lot of others out there that share these issues? I know, I know, any hoses over 10 years old and you are just asking for trouble.....

Can anyone here say whether it saves labor to replace all the cooling system hoses at the same time as a timing belt replacement?

Also - are major hoses more likely to fail than tiny ones? And are the major ones the accessible ones that are usually replaced?

I had hoses replaced a couple of years ago but I think they only replaced about five of them, not all 22.

 

[steveny]

SteveNY,

What year is your car and how many miles? I recently replaced several of the "accessible" hoses on my 91 with 32k. I talked to Brookfield Acura about doing the others and they quoted over $600 in labor! They also said that they have never seen a coolant line burst on a street car. Are you just lucky or are there a lot of others out there that share these issues? I know, I know, any hoses over 10 years old and you are just asking for trouble.....

My car is a 92 with 39k on the clock. I have replaced the hoses and all is well now. I must say I was amased at how thin the hose was in the area where it burst, better than half the thickness. I also had a horrifing thought while replacing the hoses. All winter long once a week I would start my car and let it run for an hour unattended.

 

[tosugrad]

Steve,

Which hose was it? How many of the hoses have you replaced since this incident?

 

[steveny]

Steve,

Which hose was it? How many of the hoses have you replaced since this incident?

The rear main hose on the right hand side that blew. There are two of them side by side. I replaced both of them.

 

[tosugrad]

I am almost positive that these are the hoses replaced under the TSB for the 91. I feel better knowing mine were replaced.