I have a 2003 Honda Accord, 4 cyl, manual xmission, 141,000 miles. I'm in the process of changing the engine coolant. To facilitate the process, I bought an epauto brand spillproof funnel kit but its adapter didn't fit my radiator opening so I was compelled to use the old fashioned method. For reference, the normal operating position on my temp gauge is slightly below the half way mark between C and H (see picture). I drained the coolant and added new coolant into the radiator and started the engine with heater on. I placed the cap on the radiator opening loosely without tightening it. When the temp gauge went above normal (but much below redline), I stopped the engine and added more coolant. I went through this process a few times. Even when the temp gauge is much below redline, I noticed the coolant smoking from the radiator. Is this to be expected? Also, I am supposed to watch the fan go on at least twice. During this whole sequence, the fan has not gone on even once. During the last sequence, the temp gauge showed the normal reading (see pic) and didn't go any higher. Through this process I have added roughly the same amount of new coolant that I drained at the beginning of the procedure. Does it mean I'm done? Should I be concerned about coolant smoking (the coolant was not under pressure) and the fact that the fan didn't come on?

 

The only thing you should be worried about is the upper and lower hose getting hot. The fan will come on only when needed. Process:

-Drain
-Fill (keep cap off)
-Turn car on with heat on high
-Pinch the top house off and on to help the air
come out
-refill and repeat last step
- fill reservoir
- close cap and take it for a drive with heat on to check if it's working.
- come back fan should be cycling top reservoir and you're done.

Refill process should take 15-20 mins to try and get as much air out as possible. No need to cut car off during process. Unless you have a bad pump you are good. The pump will cycle the coolant through. As long as you're temps are normal don't worry about the smoking. That should be from spilled coolant or hot coolant. If your heat is working normal then you are done. Your fan cycles when the temps can't be controlled by the pump. If you sit for about 30 mins it should start cycling but take it for a drive to hurry the process.

 

Seanjordan, thanks for your response. I now realize that I was actually done with the fill process yesterday. With some trepidation, I took the car out on the roads, first the neighborhood roads. After engine warm-up the temp gauge showed normal reading and stayed there. Then I went on the highway and the gauge stayed firm. Turning on the a/c was fine too. When I arrived home, I took a look at the fans. Both of them were running. I also didn't see any smoke emanating. So I'm considering this job complete. Again, thanks for your advice.

I had written about the EPAuto spill-proof funnel. One of the adapters could sit on the radiator opening (meaning it was the correct diameter) but it was not possible to screw it on. The reason being that the lip of the adapter did not have enough clearance to engage the mating surface on the radiator neck. Without the funnel it turned out to be somewhat long drawn torturous process. For the future - has anyone on this forum successfully tried a spill proof funnel from another manufacturer?