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Coolant change help please - Printable Version

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Coolant change help please - spencer_foxwell - 13-12-13

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.  :eek

Thanks for any help Smile

Re: Coolant change help please - andybesy - 13-12-13

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




Re: Coolant change help please - spencer_foxwell - 13-12-13

Fantastic thanks mate!

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

Thanks for the links too I'll check those out Smile


Re: Coolant change help please - darrsi - 13-12-13

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!

Re: Coolant change help please - spencer_foxwell - 13-12-13

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

Re: Coolant change help please - darrsi - 13-12-13

(13-12-13, 05:27 PM)spencer_foxwell link Wrote: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

Re: Coolant change help please - fazersharp - 13-12-13

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

Re: Coolant change help please - darrsi - 13-12-13

(13-12-13, 05:39 PM)fazersharp link Wrote:And all of this one
http://foc-u.co.uk/index.php/topic,10671.0.html

Oh yeah, that one  :lol

Re: Coolant change help please - fazersharp - 13-12-13

8)

Re: Coolant change help please - darrsi - 13-12-13

(13-12-13, 05:27 PM)spencer_foxwell link Wrote: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.

Re: Coolant change help please - spencer_foxwell - 13-12-13

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?

Re: Coolant change help please - fazersharp - 13-12-13

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

Re: Coolant change help please - Ianboydsnr - 13-12-13

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 Big Grin

Re: Coolant change help please - spencer_foxwell - 13-12-13

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 Big Grin


Re: Coolant change help please - darrsi - 13-12-13

(13-12-13, 09:02 PM)spencer_foxwell link Wrote: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 Big Grin


Starting to sound like Triggers broom. :lol

Re: Coolant change help please - spencer_foxwell - 13-12-13

Haha wish me luck! :crazy

Re: Coolant change help please - fazersharp - 14-12-13

(13-12-13, 08:26 PM)Ianboydsnr link Wrote: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. 

Re: Coolant change help please - Ebme Geek - 14-12-13

(13-12-13, 08:26 PM)Ianboydsnr link Wrote:Oh and use pink coolant, pink makes your finger stink, no really use the pink Big Grin

I thought it was the brown that made fingers stink    :\  :eek

Re: Coolant change help please - darrsi - 14-12-13

(14-12-13, 12:38 PM)fazersharp link Wrote:[quote author=Ianboydsnr link=topic=11001.msg116911#msg116911 date=1386962815]
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.
[/quote]


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.

Re: Coolant change help please - Ianboydsnr - 14-12-13

(14-12-13, 12:38 PM)fazersharp link Wrote:[quote author=Ianboydsnr link=topic=11001.msg116911#msg116911 date=1386962815]
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.
[/quote]


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