Honda Type 2 blue coolant is an excellent product, they probably over-engineered it, truthfully - lucky us. But then again, that's why it's $20+ per bottle.

My 10 year old coolant was very clean when I had work done on my head. It could have gone a lot longerr.

 

How can you tell whether a fluid is "clean" or not? What does coolant fluid which is not "clean" look like?

 

When it's dirty it starts rusting, it will turn orange, or get an orange tinge, before that the coolant will go through electrolysis, you can test it with a voltmeter, if your coolant gives over .3 volts DC your coolant is becoming acidic and will start doing nasty stuff to your engine. That said, you shouldn't wait until your coolant starts going through electrolysis, you should use the right coolant and change every 5 comfortable years.

 

dirty coolant is a bad thing- something is happening if its dirty. fluids like coolant should- in my fastidious maintenance schedule- look the same coming out as they do going in. Just change it based on time- 10 years from new, then every 5 years thereafter with HONDA coolant. pay up and be happy.

to answer your question, i've pulled "dirty" coolant from the neon- which had a leaking head gasket- which had oil in it. I've seen coolant with much brownness in it- brown is bad. dirty coolant also tastes funny- I'm kidding- DON'T EVER TASTE COOLANT.

Your '08 won't need a coolant change until 2018. "listen to me now and believe me later."

darcy

 

great advice; thanks guys!