Coolant change question

[phred]

I've read gadgets instructions on changing coolant, but one thing is not clear to me. Using the bleeder valve, do I just open it and the system expels air on its own, or do I need to do something to force the air out? I'm just a little confused here, any help is greatly appreciated.

[macmac]

When the system appears full, crack that bleeder cold... Expect a few bubbles and a little spill, so have a good cotton rag on hand to clean up the drips quickly.

I suggest after you run the bike to ride it a short distance, and let it cool, keeping an eye on the overflow bottle level which should be noted cold, hot, which the bottle doesn't become, and then cold again, over the next several days.

measuring what goes in will be a bennie too. Not all the cooling is done by coolant either. No 2.5 qts will cool any 1500/1600 engine. The fins are real and will cool the oil as well as the coolant.

(I know your bike is a 1500)

There is a newer 1 gallon coolant out not for cars.. It is called Turbo something or another. It is Silica, Borate and something else FREE, and the stuff is orange. It should be as good or better than Honda Cool, for far less $$$.

I got a few jugs if you want better detail.

[mattbren]

also when filling slightly loosen the top left bolt of the water pump housing, tighten when there is no more bubbles

[ndbigfish]

Personally I have never used the bleeder. I just use the other method that is mentioned; tap the neck of the fill. No spills that way. The replacement process just sounds harder than it is.

[phred]

Originally Posted by ndbigfish

Personally I have never used the bleeder. I just use the other method that is mentioned; tap the neck of the fill. No spills that way. The replacement process just sounds harder than it is.

While the engine is running, with the radiator cap off, right?

[ndbigfish]

I leave the cap off and run the engine until the fan comes on. You will see bubbles come up in the radiator filler neck after the thermostat opens. After the fan shuts off, shut off the engine and top the radiator off. Tap the neck to release any bubbles. Put the cap back on and fill up the over flow. Keep an eye on the overflow as part of your pre-ride inspection.