My owner's manuel suggests taking my bike to the dealer to change the coolant, unless i have the proper tools. However, it does not tell me what they are. Is this really a big deal? I can change the oil, why not the coolant? Any experience out there want to help me out? Thanks.
d'lo

Can't imagine it being that hard...Steve? :D

Video on the way.

Oh man, it's way too hard! Better pay your dealer to do it! :?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gkBf30lXPY

Be sure your bike is level. Either with a swing arm stand or have a buddy sit on the bike as you work. I highly recommend a stand though.

This should be done every two years.

SSS you got one with changing your oil... ??? and Alex might as well make a whole video library section with your stuff on it... man, i appreciate all your tips.

SSS you got one with changing your oil... ??? and Alex might as well make a whole video library section with your stuff on it... man, i appreciate all your tips.
Wonderful idea, I'll call it "Super Sneaky Steve's Garage: A Video Library" or something to that effect.

Steve, PM me all the separate links to the videos and their titles and I'll create a stiky thread for you in the Maintenance Section.

Awsome. I'm glad you guys are getting something out of it.

check coolant level after you ride it after the bikes reaches full operating temperature and there is pressure in the cooling system when the bike cooles the pressure turns to vacuum and sucks coolant out of the reservoir to fill the void


kewl vid steve lol I thought you where actually gonna do it I was thinking "Damn hes gonna have the best serviced bike in the world from people asking him to make these vids" :lol:

When it actually needs it I'll make a video of it.

I mean, I'll take it to the dealer so they can use their "special tools" :lol:

yeh the only special tool they could mean is if they hook it up to a coolant flush machine

Steve... god bless u man!... very good vid!

I bought the bike a couple of months back with about 800 miles on it.. I know it for a fact that before I got the bike it was thoroughly serviced (usual servicing; carburetor tuned etc.) at a Honda dealership since I got the receipt for the work. I’m assuming the coolant level was topped off etc (I doubt it was flushed).
I now have about 1500 miles on it and I was generally exploring the fluid levels etc and noticed that the reservoir for the coolant needs to be filled since the level is low…. I decided to open the cap of the radiator and noticed that the color of the liquid around the cap was rust.. I mean I dabbed the cap on a paper-towel and it definitely was rusty… I dipped a corner of the paper-towel in the radiator (the level of the fluid was near the top) to check and the color of the fluid was not so bad.. .any ideas though… ??

Should I flush it? (The bike was bought late 2005, but has only about 1500MI as of today)

Is draining good enough?

Any recommendations for coolant brand? (Steve’s video showed Murray’s 50/50 pre-diluted coolant.)

Really appreciate all responses!

*** This is an awesome site for a newbie like me … thanks guys! ***

Go to the auto parts store and get one of those big syringes with the floating balls in it. It's to test the acid levels of your coolant. That will tell you if it's good or not.

When you checked the level in the overflow bottle, was your bike level? If not you will get a false reading. It can't be on the side stand.

If you have any doubt about it I would just change the fluid. No need to flush it, just let it drain out then refill.

Hey Steve or anyone.. I tried to look at that video of changing the coolant but it says it was removed by the user. Any chance someone can point me in the write direction on how to do it? I got my bike in 07 it was a year old and i have not drained the coolant.. hope i did not mess anything up.

Daniel

I am having trouble finding the right nut to drain the coolant. The manual I bought does not show an accurate picture. My bike is a 2006. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

I am having trouble finding the right nut to drain the coolant. The manual I bought does not show an accurate picture. My bike is a 2006. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

Search around a bit and you should find a downloadable service manual.

IIRC it's one bolt up from the bottom bolt of the coolant cover thingy, at least on my 04.

Changing the coolant is pretty easy. Just be really careful to make sure the bike has cooled down before you remove the cap cause it's under pressure.

Off the top of my head I can't remember which side the bolt is on, but there aren't many options other than the oil drain bolt :)

Drain it, fill the bike back up, put the cap back on and let the bike run until the fan comes on. That will drop the coolant. Then let the bike cool, open the cap and add more coolant to ensure it's good and full.

Coolant smells nasty.

Be careful when you tighten the drain bolt back in. I put a little too much force and stripped the housing. Had to retap it.

Do you have to do anything with the reserve tank during the coolant change?

Do you have to do anything with the reserve tank during the coolant change?

I think the manual says to drain it from its return hose, but I just flipped open the lid before draining and most of it came out.

I am about to do the coolant change, but would like to have a new brass washer on hand. Does anyone know the size of the washer?