Here is my write up for the installation of the Mizu Cooling System provided to me by Sparkplugs.com. It is for use in 5th Generation Preludes with a manual transmission. This write up is also available in PDF format, attached to this post.
Please read the whole post first before starting so you know what is involved and what to expect. This is also a good opportunity to clean up some of your brackets and such to make your engine bay look nicer. Also, please bear in mind your personal safety and that of others while doing things like working underneath a car, and dispose of any drained coolant properly.
Now on to the install.
Tools required:
Jack
2 x Axle stands
10mm socket + ratchet or a wrench
4mm allen key
Bucket
Pliers or screwdriver for hose clamps
Antifreeze and water
Diagonal cutters
Wire stripper
Crimper
Electrical tape/heat shrink
Parts required:
Mizu radiator
Mizu fan shroud
4 x screws (supplied with fan shroud)
4 x washers (supplied with fan shroud)
4 x lock washers (supplied with fan shroud)
2 x male 14-16 gauge bullet connectors
2 x female 14-16 gauge bullet connectors
First, disconnect the negative battery terminal, jack up the car and support it on axle stands.
Then, remove the splash shield beneath the car.
Figure 1 - Location of bolts to remove splash shield.
Next, grab a bucket and drain the radiator using the drain plug on the bottom of the radiator.
Figure 2 - Location of drain plug on bottom of radiator.
Once the radiator is drained, disconnect the two fan plugs.
Figure 3 - View from top, drivers side looking down.
Figure 4 - View from underneath, passenger side looking up.
Now you can remove the upper and lower radiator hoses and the reservoir hose.
Next, remove the radiator upper brackets and AC line support. These are held on with 10mm bolts.
Figure 5 - Remove the two bolts holding on the radiator upper brackets.
You should now be able to lift the radiator out of the car. Once out, remove the two radiator cushions from the bottom.
Now its time to assemble the Mizu radiator.
Hold the fan shroud up to the radiator and attach it using the supplied hardware. The washer should be up against the fan shroud, with the lock washer between the regular washer and the screw. The screw is tightened with a 4mm allen wrench. Attach the old radiator cushions.
Figure 6 - Attach the fan shroud to the radiator.
The supplied fan connectors do not work with the factory connector in the car, so you have a few options. You can either remove the plugs from the factory fans and the connectors from the Mizu fan wires and attach the factory plug to the Mizu fan wires -or- remove the plugs from the car and attach new connectors that will work with the Mizu fans. I chose the second option. Autozone sells bullet connectors that fit the connectors on the Mizu fans. You need the 14-16 gauge male and female bullet connectors.
Figure 7 - Bullet connectors.
Cut the factory fan connectors off and crimp on the new ones. The female bullet connector should go on the blue wire with a yellow stripe, and the male bullet connector should go on the ground (black) wire. Be sure to check that the wiring on your fans was the same as mine before proceeding. I put heat shrink over my connections to ensure a weather tight seal.
Figure 8 - New connectors on fan wires.
Lower the new radiator into the car, being careful not to damage the fins. The radiator cushions should fit into the radiator support in the car.
Figure 9 - Mizu radiator installed. View from underneath the car.
Now plug in both the fans and reconnect the upper, lower, and reservoir radiator hoses.
Figure 10 - Fans and hoses connected.
Now reattach the upper radiator brackets, AC line support, and the battery.
Figure 11 - Upper radiator brackets and AC line support installed.
Now its time to fill the radiator. Loosen the air bleed bolt in the thermostat housing. This is located near the intake manifold on the passenger side of the engine.
Figure 12 - Coolant bleed bolt.
Fill the radiator to the top of the filler neck with a 50/50 mix of antifreeze and water. Tighten the air bleed bolt as soon as a steady flow of coolant free of bubbles comes out.
The factory manual says to run the car with the cap off until the fans come on, and add more coolant if necessary. When the fans came on on my car the coolant came out of the filler neck, so I just ran the car with the cap on until it was warm, let the car cool, and then checked to see if the system required more coolant.
If it all works, youre done!
Enjoy your new Mizu cooling system!
Please let me know if all the pictures work and if the format is ok. What looks good on my laptop may not necessarily work for everyone else.
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