Author Topic: DIY Replace Coolant?  (Read 11515 times)

SuperCNJ

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DIY Replace Coolant?
« on: June 06, 2015, 04:01:01 PM »
Our Jazz has been making a sort of rattling/running water sound when revving the engine and when we took it in for its annual service the honda said it was air in the antifreeze/coolant system causing the gurgling sound. However they wanted 2hrs labour to flush the system and replace the antifreeze at £115/hr+VAT making it £280 total. I'm wonderihg if this is something I can easily do myself at home or does this need special tools/equipment?

Thanks :)

madasafish

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Re: DIY Replace Coolant?
« Reply #1 on: June 06, 2015, 07:21:46 PM »
http://hondakarma.com/threads/jazz-2007-a-severe-service-gd1.768/

shows how to do it on a Mark 1 - I would imagine very similar..

(scroll down  - lots to read)

culzean

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Re: DIY Replace Coolant?
« Reply #2 on: June 06, 2015, 08:42:06 PM »
http://clubjazz.org/forum/index.php?topic=6965.msg31098#msg31098

system holds just less than 5 litres,  buy a 5 litre 50% premixed OAT or HOAT silicate free coolant from Halfords or wherever at about £20 (I have used Halfords in my cars and motorbikes no problem) .

when you use the premixed you know it is 50% and is mixed using distilled water - both important points.  When the % of antifreeze (ethylene glycol) goes below or ABOVE 50% the freezing point of mixture is raised, so 50% gives best protection. The ethylene glycol antifreeze does not wear out, it is the anti-corrosion chemicals (OAT - organic acid technology) that get used up as the coolant ages so although the radiator wont freeze, the coolant system will corrode,

As far as changing coolant goes I learned my lesson years ago when I went to town and drained the system dry, flushed it and poured new coolant in,  it took weeks and a few red liners on temperature gauge to get system and heater working properly again, now I do a shortcut method which is a lot less hassle - see below

when I did my last Jazz I just undid the radiator cap and the drain screw on bottom of radiator, drained what wanted to come out into a plastic bowl and when it had stopped flowing measured what came out with my wifes kitchen measuring jug,  made sure same went back in that came out (about 2 to 2.5 litres from memory).  Drove the car as normal for a week and did the same again with remaining coolant, reckoned I had changed about 70% of coolant this way but didn't have any problems with airlocks and stuff.
Some people will only consider you an expert if they agree with your point of view or advice,  when you give them advice they don't like they consider you an idiot

monkeydave

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Re: DIY Replace Coolant?
« Reply #3 on: June 07, 2015, 02:02:08 AM »
i def would use honda origional ready mixed coolant it is only £6 per litre

degzi

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Re: DIY Replace Coolant?
« Reply #4 on: June 08, 2015, 08:13:04 PM »
I haven't really looked at my jazz's cooling setup, but you should usually get airlocks at the top of somewhere, usually in modern cars it occurs where the hot water pipe feeds into the heater matrix inside the cabin.

Have you checked the expansion tank water level.? I'm.sure air bubbles should get rid of themselfs in there, if it is too low it could suck air back in the system. The other method is just to undo radiator cap and run engine until the air bubbles dissipate, but as mentioned they tend to collect at the highest point which is nearly always going into cabin.

Good luck and don't pay honda at least attempt d.i.y  :D

SuperCNJ

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Re: DIY Replace Coolant?
« Reply #5 on: June 09, 2015, 02:50:41 PM »
I haven't really looked at my jazz's cooling setup, but you should usually get airlocks at the top of somewhere, usually in modern cars it occurs where the hot water pipe feeds into the heater matrix inside the cabin.

Have you checked the expansion tank water level.? I'm.sure air bubbles should get rid of themselfs in there, if it is too low it could suck air back in the system. The other method is just to undo radiator cap and run engine until the air bubbles dissipate, but as mentioned they tend to collect at the highest point which is nearly always going into cabin.

Good luck and don't pay honda at least attempt d.i.y  :D

I don't know how the system works (regarding pipe running into heater matrix) but intuitively I would have thought that if it is air in the system, it will find its way to the highest point somehow and so providing I can let it out somewhere, I don't see why I need to bleed/flush the whole system out.

This is just my thinking, I've probably talking rubbish. But I like your idea of taking the radiator cap off and running the engine. I haven't tried that, will give that a go first!

I'm all for DIY, especially on a small car like the jazz but I'm limited to what I can do as I live in a flat and have to do everything in the car park.

madasafish

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Re: DIY Replace Coolant?
« Reply #6 on: June 10, 2015, 06:22:06 PM »
With modern engines, you really need to bleed bubbles out.


Refill with coolant.

1.Run engine until coolant is warm. Open Heater FULL on.  With a gloved hand and CARE, squeeze top hose and bottom hose alternately to dislodge any bubbles..  with engine running (So care to avoid fan which may suddenly switch on - and exhaust which will be hot as will top hose.

Switch off engine and leave 10 minutes to cool. Check coolant level. Squeeze hoses again.

Top up with coolant if level has fallen.


2.Drive 2-4 miles until engine is fully warm.

Repeat 1. again. And 2.

  Drive again 3-5 miles.

Reapeat 1 -2 again.

Then you should have beld most air bubbles out.

Check again after 2-3 days of driving.. and repeat.

It's a PIA but works.. ( I've not done a Jazz but Yarises and Fords and Peugeots)

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