How do you go about getting all the coolant out of the system?
Pulled the drain plug at the water pump and took off the radiator cap..........got about 1/2 the amount out of the system I should (.75Qts total should be 1.4 Qts).

Looking at it I don't see how the left radiator can drain by just pulling the plug......the hose linking the two is at the top of the radiator.

Any ideas?

Thanks...

 

Isn't there a plug on bottom of the left radiator?

 

Nope....no other drain that I know of.

I ended up loosening the lower hose clamp on the left side and she let loose and the remaining coolant came pouring out the water pump drain hole.
An air lock maybe??

Anyway, got her done. Looks like it took about the 1.4 Qts to refill.

 

I knew there was something...probably did the same thing myself.

Speaking of coolants, I was reading up over the weekend and some guys say we should use non-silicate coolant in our bikes due to the small seals in the water pump getting eroded with silicate coolant. Don't know if there's much too it, but though I'd throw it out.

 

Yup...thanks.

This was a big problem a few years ago with Goldwing water pumps failing......it was traced to the silicate coolants that some owners were using. It is a real issue...
I make sure I only use silicate-free coolant.

 

I have flushed all of my regular coolant out and replaced it with Engine Ice before my trip to Colorado. Higher elevation drops the boiling point.

 

Our bikes come with silicate free cooling right?
I'm reading if you add silicate free to even the residue of silicate coolant left in the system during a coolant change; it could plug up the works, as the two are non-compatible and will gel...

Just wanna make sure I'm performing safe maintenance lol

 

Mixing coolants will not gel. I have tried it. It will decrease the life of the coolant and it may not be the best for the inside of the engine.

 

I'm only as good as the knowledge I have.

Thanks

 

I call BS on alot of stuff.... if something just doesnt sound right to me i do alot of research and check it out. I also worked at an oil change shop and my dad has been a master auto mechanic his entire life. So i have some pretty good resources. If you put the old green coolant in a newer car that has dexcool or whatever "new" is to that make. It wont gel, the newer coolants are designed for alot of internal aluminum parts, the old green coolant was when most stuff inside was cast iron. I put engine ice in both my bikes, it helps them run cooler= better HP.
Engine Ice - Welcome