I need to change the coolant and brake fluid in my MY00.

I don't want to switch to type II. I can't find any Honda coolant that ISN'T Type II. Any suggestions on where I can buy it, or some place locally?

Finally, manual says DOT 3, but I saw DOT 4 a few times when I searched. I think you can mix, but I'd prefer to stay with what you all suggest. Is that DOT 3, or 4? Any specific brands that are good? Where can I buy them reasonably?

Thanks!
Shumax

 

try under the hood, you will get more hits there. mod move this thread?

 

[QUOTE=shumax,Sep 15 2007, 06:34 PM] I don't want to switch to type II.

 

I do NOT want to switch to Type II coolant.

I just ordered some ATE Blue fluid, per Billman's suggestion in another post.

Thanks!

 

why dont you want to switch to type 2?

 

brakes:
i used RBF600 Motul, 500ml covered the task, inc flushing the old fluid. look around as the price varies x3.

get speed bleeders, the ap1 may not be in their catalog directly, need to email them.

some of my oem fastners were bonded on tight (the car was from NJ) so get the right tools, the wrench that wraps 66% around the fastener, crawfoot? wrench from sears. i replaced the lines at the same time.

i did not let the system go dry, on the 1st brake, the furtherest distance (look in service manual, not obvious which side) i emptied all but 10% of the reservoir fluid, replaced w/ the Motul and re did a few times. did the rest of the brakes. the speed bleeders make it a one person job with little spillage.

get some steel brake lines too, might make a dif as the oem lines get old.

 

I don't want to deal with trying to get every drop of the old out. I'd prefer to just use what's in there. I'm told that if I don't get every drop out the old out and then switch to the new, it will eventually gum up that radiator. Not interested in that -- assuming it's true?

Thanks!

 

DOT4 fluid is NOT reccomended for street use (Motul 600, ATE Superblue, Castrol RBF, etc.)

Brake fluid is rated, in part, on what tempurature they will boil at. Brake fluid is naturally hydroscopic (it will absorb water.) Absorbing water will lower the boiling point.

DOT4 fluid has a higer boiling point WHEN IT IS FRESH than DOT3 fluid. However it is MORE hydroscopic, so it will "spoil" faster.

Here is the scale:

Fresh DOT4 fluid
.
Fresh DOT3 fluid
"Wet" DOT3 fluid
.
.
.
.
"Wet" DOT4 fluid

On the street, the higher boiling point will do you no good. However, the compromised boiling point on the DOT4 could be a problem. If you are going to run DOT4 you will need to flush it more often. This typically isn't a problem for track guys, since they tend to bleed their brakes a LOT.

Cliff notes: Run ANY good DOT3 fluid for your brakes, AND the clutch.

 

Dot 3 -- ok. I was at Autozone and noticed they have Valvoline Synpower in DOT 3 format. Good?

What about the coolant? I'm hesitant about buying "prestone," or the like.

 

I have used the Valvoline brake fluid. It works well.

As for coolant, any "green" colored fluid should be fine as it will mix with what you currently have. I have used the Napa brand, but I cannot speak to longevity as I have just gone to it this year.