Hey AZ! I got my 06 TL recently (4-ish months ago), so I'm still learning how to properly maintain the car. Currently sitting at 104K miles from when I got it at 100K so I should really start paying attention to some problems & fixes. I've done a couple major and minor fixes already, but haven't touched the radiator yet mostly because I haven't found much info on it.. haha.


Now I noticed when I received the car, the Coolant was topped off at the 'Max' line. No more, no less. But over the months of driving this car, my coolant has dropped to 'Mid' level. I'm obviously still a newbie at this and was wondering two things..


1. How often should you be refilling/flushing your Coolant/Radiator Fluid?


2. When should you/When is it recommended that you change/replace your Radiator?


Please give me your ! Thanks in advance guys!

 

There's no 'interval' for replacing the radiator- it should be a lifetime part unless it has a leak or is broken

As for changing the coolant, I didn't touch mine until I had the timing belt service done (I did mine early at 95K miles), and since the shop had to drain the radiator as well as take off the water pump, I got new coolant at that time (I had my thermostat replaced as well, so they would have had to drain the radiator).

 

Technically your car will tell you. Read your owners manual... "Maintenance Minder".

Google "TL0606OM.PDF" for Honda owners manual.

Replace coolant up to 7 years or less. Use OEM coolant only.

Replace rad when it leaks. Of course you can do it anytime as preventive maintenance.

 

BTW your timing belt service is due now if it's not be done yet (most important).

The service interval for the T belt under severe condition is 60K miles. No mileage recommendation for normal conditions. However, historically it's been 105K miles by Honda.

When replacing the T belt one should also replace the water pump (the water pump is behind the T belt), thermostat, rad cap, and of course coolant.

Before doing anything you should try and find out if the T belt was replaced or not by checking the following.

1. Look for a T belt service sticker on the front shock towers.

2. Look for a service notation in the owners manual.

3. Have a dealership run your vin for the service history.

4. Ask the previous owner.

5. Carfax.

Note, this is not all inclusive.

 

Thanks for chiming in guys!

@01acls, the timing belt and water pump were the first things I replaced once I got the car since the previous owner never replaced it.. Definitely would not have ignored that. I also replaced the spark plugs and did a 3x3 transmission flush around the same time. However, now that erdoc mentioned the thermostat and rad cap, I'll need to replace those soon too.

Okay, so I just got back from my day's errands and I checked my coolant reservoir again. This time I noticed that there is no coolant in there at all.. I don't happen to see any blue liquid.. Keep in mind the last time I checked was 3 days ago and it was mid level at that point. I don't happen to see any leaks under my car or inside my engine bay..

What should my next course of action be?

I apologize for these constant concerns! haha.

 

^ The lowering of the reservoir tank is a signal that something is not right. When the system is working right the coolant level will stay constant for months.

So I would take your lost of coolant at face value. Meaning you have a leak. Since it is not leaking as a liquid then it must be leaking as a vapor. Replace the radiator cap. Top off your coolant and keep an eye on the temperature gauge and the reservoir level.

On a side note. Did you bleed all the air out of the coolant system by opening the heater valve when you changed the water pump?

 

I mentioned that I changed my thermostat, not because I had to, but I figured since the TL was near 100K miles, it was good practice. As for you coolant reservoir loss, check the following:

The reservoir itself (may have a minor leak)
Check your oil (to make sure it's not a head gasket issue)- if there's mixing of the oil and coolant, it'll look creamy brown, like a brown mayonnaise. It won't be clear brown like honey color.
Check your radiator cap as said above since it may not be holding pressure like it did in the past, allowing for water vapor to escape.
Check your radiator and heater hoses for leaks (I never changed mine because they were in decent shape and should last at least 150K miles). Check the hose clamps as well.
Lastly make sure the radiator isn't the source.

Who did your TB? Normally, if done via a mechanic, they should have 'burped' the cooling system. If it wasn't burped, you might have an air pocket in the system and the reservoir will be empty because the system is tring to take in the extra coolant of the reservoir (but that should stop after a fill or 2 of the reservoir).

How is the coolant level in the radiator neck (checked when cool of course)?