Changing engine coolant

Recommended engine coolant fluid

See: Engine coolant fluid recommendations

Normal operating temperatures

According to the workshop manual the operating temperature is when the radiator fans are running. This happens at 91C-95C (196F-203F).

Real life results show that in normal weather conditions the engine coolant temperature operates between 82C-90C (180F-194F).

At 78C (172F) the thermostat will start to open and will be fully opened at 90C (194F).

Required tools and fluids

• LHD: 6,5L / 6,87qts engine coolant fluid (or a little more if you would like to "flush" the engine)
• RHD: 6,4L / 6,77qts engine coolant fluid (or a little more if you would like to "flush" the engine)
• 12mm wrench
• Oil/Fluid catch pan
• Floor jack + 2 jack stands
• Kapton tape
• Cable ties
• Clear plastic hose (optional)

How to change the engine coolant fluid

Pre-conditions and jacking up the car

• Make sure that the engine is cold. Never open the cooling system when the engine is hot.
• Put the car in the first gear and set the parking brake.
• Turn on the ignition and set the temperature of the A/C to maximum heat. Make sure the A/C button is off (green LED not active).
• Wait 10 seconds and then turn off the ignition.
• Jack up the car on the front by using the central jacking point near the engine.
• There are two front-jacking-points on each side. Place one jack stand on each side at the jacking-point that is the furthest away from the front wheel.
• Lower and remove your floor jack (or keep it in place for extra safety)
• You want to make sure that the front of your S2000 is elevated.

Draining the engine coolant fluid

• The white colored engine coolant fluid draining bolt is located at the bottom left side of the radiator.
• Place your oil/fluid catch pan below the engine coolant fluid drain bolt.
• Remove the radiator cap on the top of the radiator. The engine has to be cold!
• Slightly screw open the bleeding valve near the throttle body.
• Remove the rubber cap from the bleeding port near the firewall (only applicable to LHD models).
• Remove the engine coolant fluid drain bolt.
• The old engine coolant fluid will now drain into the oil catch pan and you might need to re-adjust your oil catch pan.
• Draining the radiator completely can take up to 2 hours.
• In the meantime unscrew and remove the cap of the coolant overflow reservoir
• Remove the coolant overflow reservoir by simply pulling it upwards.
• Empty the reservoir and clean/flush it with water. Use tap water, not distilled water (Distilled water).
• If possible: Once no more fluid is coming out of the radiator, lower the front of you car and elevate the back of your car. When no more fluid is draining out of the radiator, lower the back of your car and elevate the front again.
• At this point there will still be engine coolant fluid inside your engine and some hoses.
• If you want to get it out you will need to remove the thermostat. See "tbc".
• Now only very little engine coolant fluid is left in your system.
• If you also want to get the last bit out of your system you can use compressed air to push it out of the engine and hoses.

• Once all the fluid has been drained I like to fill fresh engine coolant fluid into the radiator to "rinse or flush" it.
• Wait until no engine coolant fluid (either old or new from "rinsing") comes out of the radiator.

Adding new engine coolant fluid

• Make sure your thermostat and all hoses are connected again.
• Install the coolant overflow reservoir.
• The bleeding valve on the throttle body and on the draining port on the firewall should still be opened.
• Hand tighten the engine coolant fluid draining bolt on the bottom left side of the radiator.
• Put a funnel inside the filling port on the top of the radiator.
• Optional: Put a clear plastic hose on the bleeding port near the firewall as well as on the bleeding valve near the throttle body.
• Slowly pour in engine coolant fluid until it starts to leak out of the bleeding port near the firewall.
• Close the bleeding port with the rubber cap.
• Continue to slowly pour engine coolant fluid until it starts leaking out of the bleeding valve near the throttle body.
• Close the bleeding valve.
• Continue filling the radiator until coolant stays in your funnel.
• Pour engine coolant fluid in your funnel until it is half full.
• Make sure your care is in neutral gearing.
• Start the engine and let it run for 30 seconds. Turn off the engine.
• Add engine coolant fluid in your funnel until it is half full.

Bleeding the engine coolant system

• Make sure the engine is cold.
• Use kapton tape and cable ties (or anything else) to block the hose inside the cap of the coolant overflow reservoir. As we bleed the system it might flow through the bypass into the coolant overflow reservoir causing it to overflow.
• Place a funnel on the top of the radiators filling port and seal the connection of radiator to funnel with kaptop tape.