I need to flush my coolant. Where is the coolant drain plug on the block? (93 LX 5-speed)
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I flushed mine about a week ago. Open the drain plug under (inner/rear facing part) of your radiator. You can actually reach under there from the front of your bumper and twist the plug counter-clockwise.Originally posted by RustBucket93
Open your radiator cap also. But please take precaution if engine is still hot. Let it cool first.
After all the coolants are out, close the drain plug. Fill up with new coolant. Close radiator cap.
Open coolant bleed valve near where the long coolant hose meets the engine block. Untighten screw until trickles of coolant come out, just then tighten it (this is to remove excess air that MIGHT have entered your cooling system, thus creating a vacuum that MIGHT cause unnecessary engine overheat.
Start your car, let it run until cooling fan kicks in.
Shut off engine. Let it cool. Open radiator cap again, see if you need to add coolant or not. If not, close it.
You're dine.
If I missed something, please correct me. Thanks.
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heck, it just hit me.Originally posted by RustBucket93
all he asked was where the drain plug was..
and I babbled on and on
waaay too much time on my hands
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No problem, never can be too thorough! Thanks for the info!
I'm hoping to make my radiator last at least through the winter. Looking into the neck with the cap open, there is a lot of white sediment on the inside, and my car overheated twice, after which I added maybe a half gallon of coolant and it went back to normal.
It's been through 2 or 3 radiators already, but she does have 316k on the clock!
I just don't have the money for a radiator right now.
I picked up a bottle of "10 minute radiator flush" type of stuff. Hope that will help.Comment
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Yep, a radiator flush would definitely complete the process. Good luck flushingOriginally posted by RustBucket93
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Oh another question, how much coolant does the system hold?Comment
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Yes there is a plastic wing nut that drains the coolant out of the rad and some of the system, but to answer your original question ->"Where is the coolant drain plug on the block?"<-
It's on the back of the block, kind of near the oil filter. The plug requires a big ass hex key to get it off. If you have the socket type then it will be fairly easy to get off. It probably has never been off and there is thread lock on there. I had a hell of a time cracking mine. If you take it out clean the threads and reapply a bit of threadlock when you put it back. Also don't just drain and fill. Do a little flush action. If you use a chemical make sure it's ok for aluminum.
Fill with HONDA coolant. Oddly enough I bought the pre-mixed and one container was green fluid (red lid) the other was blue fluid (blue lid). The containers were otherwise identical, and the dealership said it was cool. Blue antifreeze... stupid.
for a moment I though I was pouring winter winsheild fluid in my rad.
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Any idea what size hex it is?Comment
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Sorry, no. I would guess close to 10 or 11 mm.Originally posted by RustBucket93Comment
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That plug is either a 17 or 19mm socket. It's very big and very difficult to get out. It is on the rear of the block back in there next to the filter. It's hard to see too. You should replace the washer when you have it out btw. If you live in the north, you should swap an engine block heater in its place. They're only like 20 bucks from the dealer and you plug it in at night. Keeps your block warm so when you start it up in the AM, you have normal temp VERY quickly.
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that is good way, but you just change change it by puting the completely new coolant. You still get 50% clean and 50% dirty coolant. The best way is to completely flush the engine.
go to an auto parts store and buy a coolant flush kit and/or just a cleaner. put the cleaner it let it run for 15 minutes (instructions), on my budys car we ran it for 1 week. You have to cut the radiator hose that goes to the engine, put a "T" joint ( it has a cap on the 3rd outlet so you can leave it in there for every coolant flush u do) in there. Then empty ur coolant, but keep the drain plug open and connect the water hose to the "T" joint. Turn on the water and let it flush the engine and radiator from old coolant and cleaner, wait couple minutes and turn your engine on for 2 secs, but my teacher told me that i can run it longer, and unscrew coolant drain plug on the block at the block. Let it run till the liquid thats exiting the drain hole becomes water, completely clear. Close the drain plug and start putting the coolant 50/50,or what ever you like. Also add rust preventer (optional). Keep your engine on so you know if you have to add more coolant. let all the air go away so there are no air bubles. Fill up the radiator to a needed level. Run your engine for 2 minutes. complete.
Dont mind me i am high.Last edited by accord"R"; 10-02-2005, 11:31 PM.Comment
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hm ya. that seems like a lot of work for a coolant flush. If you remove the plug from the radiator AND the block, you pretty much drain 90-95% of the coolant from the system. The block plug drains all the coolant from the pockets of the engine, but his was is a VERY thourogh way to flush everything.Comment
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what I did was, drain all the coolant via radiator drain plug, and then flush a few times with water.
"You've done more threatening prescription drugs..."
"the character of a man can be judged by how he takes his criticism"
"Quoting yourself is like, masturbation" -StarchlandComment
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I didn't want to hassle with that, so I just went the easy way. I don't justify doing all the hassle work and humbug work on FLUID change (except maybe w/ the brakes).
I did mostly a drain/refill thing as mentioned by some. I just parked at a slight slant, but anyhow. I drained and refilled with distilled water, heated car up to normal temp and let fans kick in, then i CAREFULLY drained.
(repeat as needed). Then I just mixed like a 50/50 and poured in, and bled. Been doing it like this forevers on almost all my cars. No problems...
Just make sure DISTILLED WATER, and if can get low silicate/borate formula. Again, if your anal, just get the honda blue.. 0 borates, 0 silicates.
Just make sure u keep up with changes and u should be good to go.hahahahahComment
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