> I've been following the thread on Honda brand antifreeze, > and I noticed the comments about Prestone not belonging in [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > from a friend recently. What potential hazards am I > dealing with? Premature water pump failure. Saw it on my 91 Civic after a few years of using the Prestone and similar stuff. One cannot definitely blame the coolant, of course, but other reports here tend to support the theory. The net may have more.
I have used the orange Havoline anti-freeze in my Civic since about 2002, with no problems. The water pump was new in 2001. Technically, it's due for replacement, but that's another thread.
> What's the best way to get it all out if I'm going to > replace it? Part of the directions for replacing the coolant say to remove the drain bolt on the engine block. It can be hard to remove, but you really do want to remove it, since doing so ensures a good drain and fill. The first time I did this on my 91 Civic around 1993 it was very difficult to loosen. But I did not have a deep socket, nor breaker bar yada, and was not as handy then. Now I find it easy to remove and have done so with little problems for the last several changes over some eight years or so.
With the engine block drain bolt removed, you can really flush the system pretty well, in my estimation, with a garden hose placed in the radiator mouth, the radiator drain plug shut, and with the water running out the engine block drain bolt hole. For the early flushes, catch the coolant that comes out with the water, since you don't want it poisoning animals.
A bit of water will remain in the engine block when you are done. You can do the persnickety calculations to account for it and compensate with a slightly higher concentration of anti-freeze, assuming you are using orange Havoline and not OEM pre-mix. Or you might be fine blowing off the small amount that stays in the block.
You will want some non-hardening high temperature sealant for the engine block drain bolt threads. One of the Permatex sealants says on its packaging it is good for the drain bolt on the engine block. The sealant is per the maintenance instructions. You will also need a new gasket for the drain bolt.
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