Hi all...
My first posting-hope I'm doing it right. Can you tell me the radiator drain and refill capacity for my 2004 Accord 2.4? Can't find it in the manual. Also, any tricks to bleeding the system afterwards-or have they solved that since I had my 87 Accord? Thanks!
The Duffmeister

 

There's a hole in the underbody cover for access to the drain plug. Turn plug CCW to loosen until fluid starts to drain. Capacity is about 1.3 gallons of mixed coolant which includes filling reserve tank to max line. Allow engine to warm w/ radiator cap loose (fan comes on twice), the install cap and you're done.

Manual recommends Honda Long Life Coolant Type 2 at 50:50 antifreeze:water mix ratio.

good luck

 

The whole system has 1.4 US gallons. Now if you only drain the radiator, there will still be coolant in the engine block. There is a block drain bolt too, but I am not sure where that is on the newer accord.

If you are only draining the radiator, then you can measure how much you collect from the radiator, and you will know how much is left in the system. I am also not sure if there is an air bleed valve on the thermostat housing like on my accord.

You might want to pick up a Haynes manual for doing the routine maintenance and repairs. It is worth the $15 or $20.

 

The radiator is the high point, so there's no need for an air-bleed bolt. Air collects at the radiator cap where you can remove it easily.

I don't think there's a block drain bolt - never found on on our 2003.

But un-do the clip on the thermostat housing (between radiator & engine) & more will drain out there. Opening the T-stat is SO MUCH EASIER on the K-engine compared to the F-engine.

Even so, there's still antifreeze left in the system. Specs say 5.4qt to change, total 7.6qt for a dry-fill. If you rinse multiple times to remove all the old stuff, then you have to worry about diluting the new stuff with the 1/2gal that remains.

I rinsed with distilled water, then added almost 1gal of straight antifreeze to result in overall 50/50 mix.

 

The engine block drain plug is on the back of the engine. If people have the Honda accessory: engine block heater installed, the drain plug is removed and replaced with it.

hondaautomotiveparts dot com/auto/jsp/mws/sppdf/05%20ACCORD%202%20AND%204%20DOOR%20ENGINE%20BLOCK% 20HEATER%20%28L4%29.pdf

 

if you are just going to drain and refill the radiator , i would not be concerned how much coolant it takes exactly,, just fill the radiator till full ,,,,just make sure to mix 50-50 coolant and water as advised an earlier post...
by 1 gallon of unmixed coolant at auto zone ,, that will make 2 gallons once you mix it, you will have plenty left over ..

 

Are you also supposed to turn the heat up all the way, to open some valve? I remember reading that in the owner's manual when I changed my coolant.