can I mix a type 2 Honda coolant with traditional green coolant?

I know people have talked about this and I tried to find
out by asking to saleman as Autozone and Pepboy. They all
said it's ok to mix a traditoin green coolant and type 2.
I'm not sure I'm quick to believe that. Those sale guys just
want to sell their stuff...I need to find out more.

 

Just my opinion, but I think you'll sleep better if you do a drain and
refill and put in either OEM coolant or Havoline Dexcool.

I don't find the Autozone and Pep Boy folks knowledgeable about the
idiosyncrasies of Hondas. The coolant, and how the wrong coolant can damage
water pumps, is one such idiosyncrasy.

 

I would not use dex-cool. Plenty of GM owners had big problems with the
stuff. You are right, Honda's are very sensitive about what fluids you use
in them. I thinks its best to just use the genuine products. Scott

 

Google for dexcool and Honda. Plenty of Honda owners have done fine with it.
I have been using dexcool for going on three years now (changed at 2.5
years) to no adverse effect.

Of course if one does not want to gamble, use the OEM.

 

Fine to mix it. Just don't put it in your Honda.

 

wrote in

Depends what you mean by "traditional green coolant". Do you mean SILICATED
green antifreeze, or "Long Life" green?

For the most part, you can mix the non-silicated ones, but your corrosion
protection is reduced to 2 years. In the worst-case scenario, the corrosion
inhibitors will react with each other and wreck your motor.

What specific brands/models of antifreeze are we talking about here?

 

I don't know silicated or long life in my radiator. The new gallon
I've bought at local Honda dealer
is pre-mixed dark orange Type 2 coolant. Since the color is not same, I
suspect they are not
same chemical. I've read other saying that don't mix a honda one with
other brand. Ok I will NOT
mix. I'm going to replace water pump and coolant anyway...do I need
an another gallon of
coolant for draining & flushing & refilling?

 

wrote in

No. All you need is to drain the rad, heater, *AND the block*. Make sure
your heater is turned to full hot!!

Stick a garden hose in the rad filler neck. Close rad drain, let water run
into rad and out of block drain until clear, then open the rad drain until
the rad runs clear.

Open al the drains again, and let it drain. Then close all drains and
refill with new antifreeze.Your Type 2 should be premixed, so you won't
even need a bottle of distilled water.

 

You have an 89 Civic, right? Depending on what specific model (automatic or
manual; Si or not; EX or not; hatchback or sedan) you own, you'll need 1.175
gallon to 1.3 gallon to refill the system. Chilton's gives the exact number
for a specific model.

 

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TeGGeR®

No. All you need is to drain the rad, heater, *AND the block*. Make
sure
your heater is turned to full hot!!

Stick a garden hose in the rad filler neck. Close rad drain, let water
run
into rad and out of block drain until clear, then open the rad drain
until
the rad runs clear.

Open al the drains again, and let it drain. Then close all drains and
refill with new antifreeze.Your Type 2 should be premixed, so you won't

even need a bottle of distilled water.
Also, don't forget to bleed the coolant.