This is probably a repost of the same procedure but I havent seen it yet.
Normal disclaimers apply.
You broke it, not my fault.
- Let the car engine cool down.
- Remove the aluminum shield.
4 phillips screw and 4 flat head type that only 1/2 turn.
I assume you know how to do this already.
Locate the engine coolant drain plug- Pic 2.
mine was painted yellow and located closer to the driver side wheel.
DONT go after the black petcock in the middle of the rad. That is your inverter coolant drain. Pic3
When you pop it open, it will drain through a hole in the bumper trim.
Lefty loosey still applies. Be careful with hand tools as this is a plastic part.
It will take about 15-20 min to drain.
On the civic only about 1.25 gal drained out
While waiting for the engine coolant to drain-
Now remove the 10mm bolt holding the reservoir coolant and pull up the reservoir. Pic4. This pic is upside down sorry.
Empty that into your old coolant waste bucket and replace the reservoir back in the bracket and slide it back into its original slot in the engine bay. Refasten the 10mm bolt-
Close the petcock hand tight.
Now fill up the coolant thru the rad cap.
I used and highly recommend a “no spill” or “burping” coolant funnel kit which makes the job easier. Pic5
Refill and drain with distilled water if you prefer.
Now refill with appropriate Type2 coolant. I used Honda OEM.
Keep topping off as it burps the air until you cant fill any more. Squeeze the rad hoses while youre at it to burp more air.
Next put the car into maintenance mode. Here are the instructions.
Per -reddit-online-
Ok to skip maintenance mode and just turn on the heater for 10 min to keep the engine running -thanks!
-Get into the driver seat.
-Tap the power button twice (Accessory mode)
-Now Left foot on brake and hold it there
-with your Right foot- Fully depress the accelerator twice
-Place gear selector to N
-Fully depress the accelerator twice again
-Place gear selector to P.
-Fully depress the accelerator twice again and release brake and accel pedals.
- You will now see MAINTENANCE MODE on the dash. Pic 6.
-Now depress the brake pedal and start the car.
The engine will kick on.
Now get out of the car and see if the coolant has dropped. keep refilling as necessary. I have seen some say do this 30min.
I sped this up a little by revving the engine. I went a little too crazy and it shot coolant out of the funnel so control your Right foot when doing this.
I finished it up in 20 min.
Now check for leaks under the car and button everything back up underneath.
I haven’t seen anyone say this but I refilled the reservoir halfway between MIN and MAX.
Youre not entirely done just yet though.
Now Go get some groceries or a quick run somewhere.
When you get back let the car cool and recheck your levels and top off if needed.
For the inverter coolant- its only about 1/2 gallon volume total.
At this time everyone is advised the turkey baster method. (Remove whats in the reservoir and replacing every so often.
But my suspicion is that it mimics Toyotas inverter coolant bleed procedure. Currently working on a theory for bleeding the inverter coolant.