1996 ACURA RL KA9 engine

Engine Coolan t Refillin g an d Bleedin g
'96 -0 0 models :
CAUTION : Whe n pourin g engin e coolant , b e sur e t o
shu t th e rela y bo x li d an d no t t o le t coolan t spil l o n th e
electrica l part s o r th e paint . I f an y coolan t spills , rins e it
of f immediately .
NOTE:
Perfor m thi s procedur e whe n th e engin e is cool .
Befor e replacin g th e coolant , tur n th e ignitio n O N (II) ,
slowl y tur n th e climat e contro l temperatur e kno b t o
90° , an d tur n of f th e ignition . Thi s wil l allo w th e
coolan t i n th e heate r t o drai n ou t wit h th e res t o f th e
system .
Whe n th e radiato r i s cool , remov e th e radiato r cap .
Loose n th e drai n plug , an d drai n th e coolant .
DRAINPLUG
DRAI N CA P
2. Remov e th e drai n cap from th e coolan t drai n pip e
t o drai n th e block .
3 . Pu t th e drai n ca p bac k i n place , the n reinstal l th e
cli p o n th e drai n ca p securely .
4 . Tighte n th e radiato r drai n plu g securely .
5 . Remove , drai n an d reinstal l th e reservoir . Fil l th e
tan k halfwa y t o th e MA X mar k wit h water , the n u p
t o th e MA X mar k wit h antifreeze . 6
. Mi x th e recommende d antifreez e wit h a n equa l
amoun t o f wate r i n a clea n container .
NOTE:
Alway s us e onl y genuin e Hond a antifreeze /
coolant .
Fo r bes t corrosio n protection , th e coolan t con -
centratio n mus t b e maintaine d year-roun d a t
50 % minimum . Coolan t concentration s les s tha n
50% ma y no t provid e sufficien t protectio n
against corrosio n o r freezing .
Coolan t concentration s greate r tha n 60 % wil l
impai r coolin g efficienc y an d ar e no t recom -
mended .
CAUTION :
Do no t mi x differen t brand s o f antifreeze/coolants .
D o no t us e additiona l rus t inhibitor s o r anti-rus t
products ; the y ma y no t b e compatibl e wit h th e
coolant .
Engine Coolan t Refil l Capacit y [Includin g reservoi r
(0.65 (0.6 9 U S qt , 0.5 7 Im p qt))] :
6.1 (6. 4 US qt , 5. 4 Im p qt )
7. Remov e th e engin e cove r (se e pag e 5-3 ).
8 . Loose n th e ai r blee d bol t i n th e wate r passage , the n
fill th e radiato r to th e botto m of th e fille r nec k with
the coolan t mixture . Tighte n th e blee d bol t a s soo n
a s coolan t start s t o ru n ou t i n a stead y strea m with -
ou t bubbles .
9 . Wit h th e radiato r ca p off , star t th e engin e an d le t i t
ru n unti l i t i s warme d u p (radiato r fa n come s o n a t
leas t twice) . Then , i f necessary , ad d mor e coolan t mi x
t o brin g th e leve l bac k u p t o th e botto m o f th e fille r
neck .
10. Pu t th e radiato r ca p o n tightly , the n ru n th e engin e
agai n an d chec k fo r leaks .
BLEE D BOL T9.8 N- m (1. 0 kgf-m , 7. 2 Ibf-ft )
ProCarManuals.com

Radiator
Engine Coolan t Refillin g an d Bleedin g
'01 model :
CAUTION : Whe n pourin g engin e coolant , b e sur e t o
shu t th e rela y bo x li d an d no t t o le t coolan t spil l o n th e
electrica l part s o r th e paint . I f an y coolan t spills , rins e it
of f immediately .
NOTE:
Perfor m thi s procedur e whe n th e engin e is cool .
Befor e replacin g th e coolant , tur n th e ignitio n O N (II) ,
slowl y tur n th e climat e contro l temperatur e kno b t o
90° , an d tur n of f th e ignition . Thi s wil l allo w th e
coolan t i n th e heate r t o drai n ou t wit h th e res t o f th e
system .
Whe n th e radiato r i s cool , remov e th e radiato r cap .
Loose n th e drai n plug , an d drai n th e coolant .
DRAINPLUG
DRAI N CA P
2. Remov e th e drai n ca p fro m th e coolan t drai n pip e
t o drai n th e block .
3 . Pu t th e drai n ca p bac k i n place , the n reinstal l th e
cli p o n th e drai n ca p securely .
4 . Tighte n th e radiato r drai n plu g securely .
5 . Remove , drai n an d reinstal l th e coolan t reservoir .
Fil l th e tan k t o th e MA X mar k wit h Hond a Al l
Seaso n Antifreeze/Coolan t Typ e 2 .
6 . Remov e th e engine cover (se e pag e 5-3 ). 7
. Loose n th e ai r blee d bol t i n th e thermosta t housing ,
the n pou r Hond a Al l Seaso n Antifreeze/Coolan t
Typ e 2 int o th e radiato r t o th e botto m o f th e fille r
neck . D o no t le t coolan t spil l o n an y electrica l part s
o r th e paint . I f an y coolan t spills , rins e i t of f immedi -
ately .
NOTE :
Alway s us e Hond a Al l Seaso n Antifreeze/Coolan t
Typ e 2 . Usin g a non-Hond a coolan t ca n resul t i n
corrosion , causin g th e coolin g syste m to mal -
functio n o r fail .
Hond a Al l Seaso n Antifreeze/Coolan t Typ e 2 is a
mixtur e o f 50 % antifreez e an d 50 % water . Pre -
mixin g i s no t required .
8 . Tighte n th e blee d bol t a s soo n a s coolan t start s t o
ru n ou t i n a stead y stream .
9 . Wit h th e radiato r cap off, star t th e engin e an d le t i t
ru n unti l warme d u p (radiato r fa n come s o n a t leas t
twice) . Then , i f necessary , ad d mor e genuin e Hond a
Al l Seaso n Antifreeze/Coolan t Typ e 2 to brin g th e
leve l bac k u p t o th e botto m o f th e fille r neck .
10 . Pu t th e radiato r ca p o n tightly , the n ru n th e engin e
agai n an d chec k fo r leaks .
Engin
e Coolan t Refil l Capacit y [Includin g reservoi r
(0.65 (0.6 9 U S qt , 0.5 7 Im p qt))] :
6.1 (6. 4 US qt , 5. 4 Im p qt )
BLEE D BOL T9.8 N- m (1. 0 kgf-m , 7. 2 Ibf-ft )
ProCarManuals.com

Cap Testing
Testing

1. Remove the radiator cap, wet its seal with engine

coolant, then install it on the pressure tester.

RADIATOR

CAP

2. Apply a pressure of 93- 123 kPa (0.95- 1.25 kgf/cm2,

14-18 psi).

3. Check for a drop in pressure.

4. If the pressure drops, replace the cap.
1. Wait until the engine is cool, then carefully remove

the radiator cap and fill the radiator with engine

coolant to the top of the filler neck.

2. Attach the pressure tester to the radiator and apply

a pressure of 93-123 kPa (0.95 - 1.25 kgf/cm2, 14 -

18
psi).

RADIATOR PRESSURE

TESTER

(Commercially available)

3. Inspect for engine coolant leaks and a drop in pres-

sure.

4. Remove the tester and reinstall the radiator cap.

NOTE: Check for engine oil in the coolant and/or

coolant in the engine oil.
RADIATOR PRESSURE TESTER

(Commercially available)

SMALL ADAPTOR

(for 32 mm neck, low profile)
SMALL ADAPTOR

(for 32 mm neck, low profile)ProCarManuals.com

Thermostat

Replacement

NOTE: Use new O-rings when reassembling.

BLEED BOLT

9.8 N-m (1.0 kgf-m,

7.2 Ibf-ft)

ENGINE COOLANT

TEMPERATURE

(ECT) GAUGE

SENDING UNIT

9 N-m (0.9 kgf-m,

7 Ibf-ft)
ENGINE COOLANT

TEMPERATURE

(ECT) SENSOR

18 N-m (1.8 kgf-m, 13 Ibf-ft)

THERMOSTAT

COVER
O-RING

Replace.

THERMOSTAT

Install with pin up.

RUBBER SEAL

Replace.

6 x 1.0 mm

12 N-m (1.2 kgf-m,

8.7 Ibf-ft)ProCarManuals.com

Engine Coolan t Temperatur e (ECT ) Gaug e
Gauge Testin g
1. Chec k th e No . 2 0 (2 0 A ) fus e in th e under-das h fuse /
rela y bo x befor e testing .
2 . Remov e th e engin e cove r (se e pag e 5-3 ).
3 . Mak e sur e th e ignitio n switc h i s OFF , the n discon -
nec t th e YEL/GR N wir e fro m th e EC T sendin g unit ,
and groun d it wit h a jumpe r wire .
ECT SENDIN GUNIT
YEL/GR NWIRE
4. Tur n th e ignitio n switc h O N (II) . Chec k tha t th e
pointe r o f th e EC T gaug e start s movin g towar d th e
"H " mark .
CAUTION : Tur n th e ignitio n switc h OF F befor e th e
pointe r reache s "H " o n th e gaug e dial . Failur e to d o
s o ma y damag e th e gauge .
If th e pointe r o f th e gaug e doe s no t mov e a t all ,
chec k fo r a n ope n in th e YEL/GR N wire .
I f th e wire s ar e OK , replac e th e EC T gauge .
I f th e EC T gaug e works , tes t th e EC T sendin g
unit.
ECT Sendin g Uni t Testin g
1. Remov e th e engin e cove r (se e pag e 5-3 ).
2 . Disconnec t th e YEL/GR N wir e fro m th e EC T sendin g
unit.
YEL/GR N WIR E(Covere d wit hinsulation )POSITIVETERMINA L
ECT SENDIN GUNIT
3. Usin g a n ohmmeter , measur e th e chang e i n resis -
tanc e betwee n th e positiv e termina l an d th e engin e
(ground ) wit h th e engin e col d an d wit h th e engin e
a t operatin g temperature .
Temperature
Resistance ( )
122°F(50°C )
226
239°F(115°C )
26.4
4. I f th e obtaine d reading s ar e substantiall y differen t
fro m th e specification s above , inspec t th e coolan t
leve l an d th e coolin g system . I f th e coolin g syste m
i s OK , replac e th e sendin g unit .
ProCarManuals.com

Component Location s
Index
'96 - 9 9 models :
MANIFOL D ABSOLUT E
PRESSUR E (MAP )
SENSO R
EXHAUS T GA S RECIRCULATIO N (EGR )
VALV E an d LIF T SENSO R
CONTRO L BO X
pag e 11-1 1
RIGH T PRIMAR Y HEATE D
OXYGE N SENSO R (RIGH T
PRIMAR Y HO2S )
(BAN K 1 , SENSO R 1 )
SPARK PLUG VOLTAGE SENSOR(Buil t int o th e IGNITIO N COI LAssy. )
INTAK EAIRBYPAS S (IAB )HIGHCONTRO L
SOLENOI D
VALVETroubleshooting ,page 11-15 6 INTAK
E
AIRBYPAS S (IAB )LOWCONTRO L
SOLENOI D
VALVETroubleshooting ,page 11-15 8
SPAR K PLU G VOLTAG E
DETECTIO N MODUL E
ENGINEMOUN TCONTRO L SOLENOI DVALVETroubleshooting , se e sectio n 5
THROTTL EPOSITION (TP)
SENSO R
VEHICL E SPEE D SENSO R
(VSS)Troubleshooting , se e sectio n 1 4
IDL E AI R CONTRO L (IAC ) VALV E
RIGH T KNOC K SENSO R (RIGH T KS ) (BAN K 1 )
ENGIN
E COOLAN T TEMPERATUR E (ECT ) SENSO R
CRANKSHAF
T POSITION /
CYLINDE R POSITIO N
(CKP/CYP ) SENSO R
EVAPORATIV
E EMISSIO N
(EVAP)PURGE CONTRO L
SOLENOI D VALV E
LEF
T PRIMAR Y HEATE D
OXYGE N SENSO R
(LEF T PRIMAR Y HO2S )
(BAN K 2, SENSO R 1 )
POWE RSTEERIN GPRESSUR E(PSP)SWITC HTroubleshooting ,page 11-12 0
IGNITIO NCONTRO L
MODUL E
(ICM)Troubleshooting , se esectio n 4 EVAPORATIV
E EMISSIO N
(EVAP ) TW O WA Y VALV E
Testing , pag e 11-20 5
EVAPORATIV
E EMISSIO N
(EVAP ) BYPAS S SOLENOI D
VALVEReplacement , pag e 11-20 2
FUE
L TAN K PRESSUR E
SENSO R
LEF
T KNOC K SENSO R (LEF T KS ) (BAN K 2 )
INTAK
E AI R TEMPERATUR E (IAT ) SENSO R
For Troubleshooting of DTC related components, see chart on page 11-53.
ProCarManuals.com

Component Location s
Index (cont'd )
'00 - 0 4 models :
MANIFOL D ABSOLUT EPRESSURE (MAP )SENSO R INTAK
E MANIFOL D
RUNNE R CONTRO L
INTAK
E MANIFOL D
RUNNE R CONTRO L(IMRC)SOLENOI D
VALV E 2
Troubleshooting ,page 11-15 8
(IMRC )SOLENOI D
VALV E 1
Troubleshooting ,page 11-15 8
IGNITIO NCONTRO LMODULE(ICM)Troubleshooting , se esectio n 4
POWE RSTEERIN GPRESSUR E(PSP)SWITC HTroubleshooting ,page 11-12 0 ENGIN
E
MOUNTCONTRO L SOLENOI DVALVETroubleshooting , se e sectio n 5
SPAR K PLU G VOLTAG E SENSO R
(Buil t int o th e IGNITIO N COI L
Assy. )
LEFT PRIMAR Y HEATE D
OXYGE N SENSO R
(LEF T PRIMAR Y HO2S )
(BAN K 2, SENSO R 1 )
THROTTL EPOSITION (TP )
SENSO R EVAPORATIV
E EMISSIO N
(EVAP)CANISTE R PURG EVALVE
CRANKSHAF T POSITION /
CYLINDE R POSITIO N
(CKP/CYP ) SENSO R
ENGINE COOLAN T TEMPERATUR E (ECT ) SENSO R
IDL E AI R CONTRO L (IAC ) VALV E
RIGH T KNOC K SENSO R (BAN K 1 )
VEHICL E SPEE D SENSO R
(VSS)Troubleshooting , se e sectio n 1 4
LEF T KNOC K SENSO R (BAN K 2 )
INTAK
E AI R TEMPERATUR E (IAT ) SENSO R
SPAR K PLU G VOLTAG E
DETECTIO N MODUL E
RIGH
T PRIMAR Y HEATE D
OXYGE N SENSO R (RIGH T
PRIMAR Y HO2S )
(BAN K 1 , SENSO R 1 )
CONTRO
L BO X
pag e 11-1 1
EXHAUS
T GA S RECIRCULATIO N (EGR )
VALV E an d POSITIO N SENSO R
For Troubleshooting of DTC related components, see chart on page 11-53 ('00-'03 models ) 11-41 ('04 model).
ProCarManuals.com

System Descriptio n
Vacuum Connection s
'96 - 9 9 models :
CONTRO L BO X
pag e 11-11
EXHAUS T GA S RECIRCULATIO N
(EGR ) VALV E an d LIF T SENSO R INTAK
E AI R
BYPAS S (IAB )HIGH CONTRO L
SOLENOI D VALV E
MANIFOL DABSOLUT E
PRESSUR E (MAP )
SENSO R
INTAKEAIRBYPAS S (IAB )VACUU MTANK INTAK
E AI R
BYPAS S (IAB ) LO W
CONTRO L SOLENOI D VALV E
ENGINE MOUN TCONTRO L SOLENOI DVALVE
INTAK E AI R
BYPAS S (IAB )
CHEC K VALV E
FRONT O F
VEHICL E
EVAPORATIV EEMISSION(EVAP) CONTRO L
CANISTE R VEN T
SHU T VALV E
EVAPORATIV E EMISSIO N
(EVAP ) CONTRO L
CANISTE R
INTAKE AI R
BYPAS S (IAB ) LO W
CONTRO L DIAPHRAG M VALV E
Vacuu m hos e No .To RIGH TENGIN E MOUN TEVAPORATIV E EMISSIO N(EVAP)PURGE CONTRO L
SOLENOI D VALV E T
o LEF T
ENGIN EMOUN T
TANK
(CRUIS E
CONTROL )
ToVACUU M
FUELPRESSUR EREGULATO R
INTAKE AI R
BYPAS S (IAB ) HIG H
CONTRO L DIAPHRAG M VALV E
ProCarManuals.com