Tools you need for coolant flush on a 2013-2017 Honda Accord

This is one of the friendliest jobs on the 9th-gen Accord. Everything you touch is at the lower driver's side of the radiator, the drain is a plastic thumb-turn cock with no tool needed, and the only real fasteners are the 10 mm bolts and push clips in the plastic engine undercover. Budget an hour, most of which is idling the car to burp air out.

The part people get wrong is coolant choice and bleeding. Honda Type 2 blue is not optional here - the silicate-free phosphate chemistry is what keeps the aluminum block, radiator and water pump seal happy, and topping with green coolant is a common reason these cars need a water pump early. Second, a straight drain and fill only swaps about 60% of the total coolant, so if the old fluid is brown or rusty, do the drain and fill twice a few hundred miles apart rather than chasing a full flush.

Complete tool and parts list

Differences within the 2013-2017 generation

Tool sizes are identical between the 2.4L K24W and 3.5L J35Y - 10 mm undercover bolts, hand-turn plastic radiator drain, same Type 2 coolant. The difference is volume: the 2.4L system holds roughly 5.3 quarts total and takes about 3 to 3.5 quarts on a drain and fill, while the V6 holds around 7 to 8 quarts total and takes roughly 4.5 to 5 quarts. The V6 also has a longer coolant path and takes more idle time to fully bleed.

Torque specs

How the job goes

1. Work on a cold engine. Park level, chock the rear wheels, and let the engine sit until the upper radiator hose is cool to the touch.
2. Raise the front of the car with the floor jack and set it on jack stands at the factory front lift points.
3. Remove the plastic engine undercover: 10 mm bolts around the perimeter plus several push-pin clips. Keep the fasteners sorted, the clips break easily.
4. Position the drain pan under the lower driver's side corner of the radiator.
5. Remove the radiator cap first (system must be vented to drain), then loosen the plastic drain cock by hand a few turns until coolant flows. Some cars have a short drain tube; aim it into the pan.
6. Let it drain completely, then also empty the coolant reservoir. The easiest way is to pull the reservoir off its bracket and tip it out, or siphon it with a turkey baster. Wipe out any sludge.
7. Close the drain cock hand tight. Reinstall the reservoir and fill it to the MAX line with Honda Type 2 blue premix.
8. Install the spill-free funnel on the radiator neck and fill the radiator to the top with premixed Type 2. Expect about 3 to 3.5 quarts on the 2.4L and roughly 4.5 to 5 quarts on the 3.5L V6 for a plain drain and fill.
9. If your engine has an air bleeder bolt on the thermostat housing area, loosen it while filling and close it as soon as coolant runs out clean with no bubbles.
10. Leave the funnel about half full, start the engine, and set the heater to full hot with the fan on low. Let it idle and watch for the level to drop as air burps out; keep the funnel topped off.
11. Run until the thermostat opens and both radiator fans cycle on at least twice. The upper hose should be hot and the level in the funnel should stop dropping.
12. Shut the engine off, remove the funnel plug, drain the leftover coolant out of the funnel, and install the radiator cap fully.
13. Top the reservoir to MAX. Lower the car and reinstall the undercover.
14. Drive the car, let it cool overnight, then recheck the reservoir level and top up. Repeat after a few days of driving; the level often drops once as the last air pockets clear.
15. Take the old coolant to a recycling center. Do not leave it where pets can reach it.

Watch out

The 10 mm undercover hardware, plastic hand-turn radiator drain and Honda Type 2 requirement are well established for the 2013-2017 Accord; confirm the exact fill quantity and whether your specific engine has a bleeder bolt against the factory service manual for your VIN.

Other jobs on the 2013-2017 Honda Accord

Coolant Flush on other vehicles