Acura RSX DIY Radiator flush & Samco hose replacement

Acura RSX DIY Radiator flush & Samco hose replacement

Samco radiator hose replacement & radiator flush

After purchasing the Samco radiator hose kit from Options Auto, I decided to flush out the radiator at the same time.

Here is the list of the items you will need:
Samco silicon DC5 type-r hose kit
Samco stainless clamp kit (optional)
Antifreeze (I used Prestone since I will be doing radiator flushes every other year, the FSM states if you don’t use Honda fluid, the radiator could corrode/rust)
Water - distilled would be preferred, but I went with tap water since I will be doing this every other year.

Here is the tools you will need:
Floor jack
4 jack stands
Pliers - angled needlenose & regular square ended
Screwdrivers - flathead & Phillips
7mm wrench
10mm wrench
(3) 1 gallon milk containers

Step 1- jack up the car and put it up on jackstands on the jack points.

Step 2 – Remove the front bumper using the screwdrivers to pull the various screws and clips out. Next remove the lower splash guard

Step 3 – open the radiator valve on the bottom portion of the radiator by turning the knob counterclockwise. Radiator fluid is toxic, so catch as much as you can in a container for proper disposal (2) 1 gallon milk containers should be sufficient. Its optional to take off the dimple from the reservoir (left side of radiator) to drain that, the angled needlenose pliers works best.

Step 4 – close up the valve and fill the radiator with water from the garden hose. Start the car and let the water circulate through the system. Turning on the heater will help out even more. Drain the radiator again.

Step 5 – loosen up the 5 10 mm bolts holding the radiator support on the top and one 10 mm bolt on the bottom. Use the pliers to squeeze the clamps off the upper radiator hose from both the radiator and from the engine.

Step 6 – Slip the clamps on the Samco upper radiator hose and tighten the clamps on both. For the radiator hose aim the screw for the clamp so you can tighten it by inserting the screwdriver into the hole on the radiator support – this will make things easier. Use caution tightening the clamps, as most of the inlets are plastic and could be damaged with overtightening. Reinstall the 10mm bolts from the radiator support at the top and bottom.

Step 7 – remove the lower radiator hose clamps. This will be a major PITA removing the clamp from the water outlet on the engine. There is VERY limited access to this area, unless you want to remove the intake manifold or the radiator & condenser. I was able to reach my hand in barely and use the square end pliers to get to this. I spent about 60 minutes on the removal of this hose alone.

Step 8 – Put the clamps on the radiator hose and slip the hose on the inlet first and then on the radiator second. Be careful to put the clamp on so you can tighten with the 7mm wrench, as access is very limited.

Step 9 – Once you have both hoses on and all 4 clamps tightened, mix 50/50 ratio of antifreeze to water. Shake up the container and fill up the radiator. Re-install the radiator cap. Start the car and make sure you have no leaks.

Step 10 – Reinstall the splash guards and front bumper. Remove the jack stands from under the car, and you are done.