2006 Civic Sedan EX, Engine Block Heater Installation

I just got the engine block heater for the 2006 civic and decided to install it myself. To install the heater I need to remove the coolant. I wonder if it'd be a good idea to recycle the coolant into the car, since the car is very new, instead of having to buy coolant from honda. I am getting mixed signals regarding this, Honda says that I should add new Honda antifreeze coolant in a 50/50 mixture, but other people have told me it shouldn't do me any damage to recycle the coolant. Should I listen to the corporate machine or to my peers?

Reply to
JJB
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do you also "recycle" brake fluid and motor oil? bottom line, there's no "clean" way of capturing the coolant without getting crud in it. besides, with the labor charges you're saving by doing this work yourself, you can afford to do the right thing - replace the coolant, don't recycle. and only use distilled water as a dilutant.

Reply to
jim beam

How much money do you think you'll save? A bottle of coolant isn't all that expensive, and it is far cheaper than the headaches you'll encounter if you end up with crud in the system.

Reply to
Joe LaVigne

I agree totally. Fresh coolant is the only way to go. I do have one question, however. If the op's temperatures reach the level where an engine block heater is required, I don't believe that a 50/50 mix will suffice. All of our vehicles run about 60/40 or 65/35 or whatever mix it takes to get the protection down to -60F or -65F.

DaveD

Reply to
Dave and Trudy

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They sell Honda Premix in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba. It gets to

-40 sometimes (without windchill) so it must be good enough. It also avoids the GRAVE DANGER of adding tap water, which is called HONDACIDE.

'Curly'

Reply to
motsco_

That is fine but is the Premix 50/50? As I recall, that proportion is good down to around -20F or thereabouts. Here in interior Alaska, we regularly see -50F and -60F (Yes, only during the winter). I don't think that a 50/50 mix is going to hack it. So a further question, does Honda make an "arctic" premix? I'll have to check around home here. Agreed also that adding tap water is a definite bad thing!

DaveD

Reply to
Dave and Trudy

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