Coolant change help please

[spencer_foxwell]

Hello, me again. I've gotta change the coolant on my 400 and am looking for tips basically. I've done it on cars in the past but never a bike. What's the procedure and where are the bits I wanna play with?

 Errr and which coolant do I wanna use? I've found the reservoir and frankly, it looks empty. 

Thanks for any help

[andybesy]

Hi,

It's not Fazer specific but I can highly recommend following Delboy's garage video which should give you a good overview of the process and a few specific hints and tips on technique:

Delboy's Garage, Suzuki Hayabusa, Coolant Change.

For Fazer specific stuff there were these discussions recently from the FZS 600 section:

http://foc-u.co.uk/index.php/topic,9291.0.html
http://foc-u.co.uk/index.php/topic,10671.0.html

I think there's a link in there to the right type of Halfords coolant to use. Or there's the Motul stuff shown in the video if you're ordering online.

Hope this helps! And let us know how you get on and any tips you learn.

Andy

[spencer_foxwell]

Fantastic thanks mate!

I should have looked for a video from Del he's very helpful

Thanks for the links too I'll check those out

[darrsi]

The fact you have an empty expansion tank either means the cooling system has simply been neglected or the coolant has been dumped out because your waterways maybe blocked.
Pop down Halfords and get yourself some Radflush for starters and give the system a good clean before refilling with coolant, otherwise you may find yourself having to do it all again in the near future!

[spencer_foxwell]

Radflush? How does that work? Does it dissolve any crap in the system?

[darrsi]

Radflush? How does that work? Does it dissolve any crap in the system?

 
Read all of this thread, i explain the basics the best i can:  http://foc-u.co.uk/index.php/topic,9291.msg100573.html#msg100573

[fazersharp]

And all of this one
http://foc-u.co.uk/index.php/topic,10671.0.html

[darrsi]

And all of this one
http://foc-u.co.uk/index.php/topic,10671.0.html

 
Oh yeah, that one 

[fazersharp]

 

[darrsi]

Radflush? How does that work? Does it dissolve any crap in the system?

Radflush is basically a descaler that will remove hard water deposits that build up on the walls of the waterways restricting the proper flow of coolant.
If the coolant can't flow properly it'll overheat and any excess coolant will get pushed back to the expansion tank.
If they're really blocked the expansion tank will pressurise with boiling fluid then just overflow onto the floor.
 
When everything's flowing and working correctly the level in your expansion tank should more or less stay the same level, with maybe the occasional very small top up every 6 months or so.
 
In that respect the expansion tank is a good guide as to whether you have any issues at all, either by a blocked system or by a leak.

[spencer_foxwell]

Thanks a lot for the links I've read them both fully and have a better understanding now. One question though, I will use the radflush stuff so do I just whack that in with the liquid that is in there now? Then run the engine to warm it through? Or should I drain everything in there and fill with water and radflush then run the engine, THEN empty it all out and refill with coolant?

[fazersharp]

should I drain everything in there and fill with water and radflush then run the engine, THEN empty it all out and refill with coolant?

YES and as I am me I rinced the old and rinced the flush out too

[Ianboydsnr]

Use one of those small bottles of dishwasher cleaner, they are the same stuff, as the rad flush, mix it with water and run the bike until its up to temp, then let it cool enough to drain!


Oh and use pink coolant, pink makes your finger stink, no really use the pink

[spencer_foxwell]

Thanks gents I've got everything I need. I just need some daylight and it not to piss down.

I'm also changing the clutch and springs, the oil and filters and exhaust. Some other bits n bobs too

[darrsi]

Thanks gents I've got everything I need. I just need some daylight and it not to piss down.

I'm also changing the clutch and springs, the oil and filters and exhaust. Some other bits n bobs too

Starting to sound like Triggers broom.

[spencer_foxwell]

Haha wish me luck!

[fazersharp]

Use one of those small bottles of dishwasher cleaner, they are the same stuff, as the rad flush,

Eh??? is it -----and if it is then, Radflush I dare say is cheeper.
On the rad flush front I used it but felt like it did nothing as I was expecting the water to come out murky at least, but it came out clean, so I think it didnt need it but on the other hand didnt do no harm. 

[Ebme Geek]

Oh and use pink coolant, pink makes your finger stink, no really use the pink

I thought it was the brown that made fingers stink     

[darrsi]

Use one of those small bottles of dishwasher cleaner, they are the same stuff, as the rad flush,

Eh??? is it -----and if it is then, Radflush I dare say is cheeper.
On the rad flush front I used it but felt like it did nothing as I was expecting the water to come out murky at least, but it came out clean, so I think it didnt need it but on the other hand didnt do no harm.

Also depends how you use it.
That's why i personally always wait for average weather, not too hot or cold, and leave it in the bike for 2 days to warm up and cool down a few times.
Obviously you don't wanna risk boiling the normal water in hot weather, or chance any risk of freezing it in cold weather, and i wouldn't recommend really long runs or thrashing it either.

[Ianboydsnr]

Use one of those small bottles of dishwasher cleaner, they are the same stuff, as the rad flush,

Eh??? is it -----and if it is then, Radflush I dare say is cheeper.
On the rad flush front I used it but felt like it did nothing as I was expecting the water to come out murky at least, but it came out clean, so I think it didnt need it but on the other hand didnt do no harm.

It's stronger than rad flush as its more concentrated,  and cheaper at Aldi!

[Ianboydsnr]

Oh and use pink coolant, pink makes your finger stink, no really use the pink

I thought it was the brown that made fingers stink   

Each to there own, I prefer pink to brown 

[Ebme Geek]

Each to there own, I prefer pink to brown 

I love pink, thoughts of great tasting prawns, but my coolant is green 

[spencer_foxwell]

Well, I did it

I also did the oil change and filter and clutch change with stronger springs which is fapping amazing!!!

Also new stainless exhaust system

I was gonna faff with the handle bars because I wanna fit clip ons but I don't have any yet.

Here she is, bit dirty though...



Thanks a lot for the help

[darrsi]

Sorted 

[fazersharp]

Im not a fan of "fairing off" fzs but yours I like, maybe its the chrome clocks and chrome headlight bracket and headlight trim all against the alloy and black bike, and whats with that infill above the rad and under the tank, ive never seen that done and it look great, I also see you have done what I have and taken of the grab rail ---looks much better.
I want to see more pictures of the front please