Coolant Replacement Correct Procedue ?

[Nick JacksonMember]

The coolant in my 2006 crf450x is original and I would like to replace it. The online Honda manual says it should be done by Honda a specialist tools are needed. Is this right or can I do it myself ??

Thanks in advance

Nick

[GregMember]

No special tools required Nick. Drain the coolant, remove the hoses and I put the garden hose into the top of the radiators one at a time and flush them out. I then put the hose into the water pump inlet and run the engine with engine running watching the water out of the engine until it’s clear. I stop the bike, turn of the hose and remove it from the inlet. I then start the bike and give it a little rev to pump what water I can out of the system. (5 seconds tops of engine running) Inspect all your hoses and clamps and reconnect them. Fit a new thermostat if your bike has one(you need a thermostat to control coolant flow) and fit a new radiator cap if it’s over 4 years old its due. Fill with coolant to the coolant manufactures mix recommendation don’t run it straight if it is meant to be mixed with water. Fill it slowly and let it stand so the air has a chance to get out of the system. After about 10mins I start it and let it idle for about 5 mins with the cap off to bleed the air out. I top it up and take it for a 10 min ride, recheck it when it cools, top it up and ride it.

TB

[Nick JacksonMember]

Thanks mate , I’ll do both bikes as they will be due

Why does the cap need replacing , I’m assuming the pressure release becomes out of spec ??

Nick

[GregMember]

Nickj wrote:

Thanks mate , I’ll do both bikes as they will be due

Why does the cap need replacing , I’m assuming the pressure release becomes out of spec ??

Nick

The rubber perishes and its very important to keep it pressurised to increase the boiling point

TB

[Nick JacksonMember]

Trailboss wrote:

Nickj wrote:

Thanks mate , I’ll do both bikes as they will be due

Why does the cap need replacing , I’m assuming the pressure release becomes out of spec ??

Nick

The rubber perishes and its very important to keep it pressurised to increase the boiling point

TB

Like a hot water service then cheers now I get it

Nick

[Richard WMember]

Trailboss wrote:

No special tools required Nick. Drain the coolant, remove the hoses and I put the garden hose into the top of the radiators one at a time and flush them out. I then put the hose into the water pump inlet and run the engine with engine running watching the water out of the engine until it’s clear. I stop the bike, turn of the hose and remove it from the inlet. I then start the bike and give it a little rev to pump what water I can out of the system. (5 seconds tops of engine running) Inspect all your hoses and clamps and reconnect them. Fit a new thermostat if your bike has one(you need a thermostat to control coolant flow) and fit a new radiator cap if it’s over 4 years old its due. Fill with coolant to the coolant manufactures mix recommendation don’t run it straight if it is meant to be mixed with water. Fill it slowly and let it stand so the air has a chance to get out of the system. After about 10mins I start it and let it idle for about 5 mins with the cap off to bleed the air out. I top it up and take it for a 10 min ride, recheck it when it cools, top it up and ride it.

TB

I thought someone that goes to that much effort would change the copper washer on the drain bolt as well. 😆

[Nick JacksonMember]

Trailboss wrote:

No special tools required Nick. Drain the coolant, remove the hoses and I put the garden hose into the top of the radiators one at a time and flush them out. I then put the hose into the water pump inlet and run the engine with engine running watching the water out of the engine until it’s clear. I stop the bike, turn of the hose and remove it from the inlet. I then start the bike and give it a little rev to pump what water I can out of the system. (5 seconds tops of engine running) Inspect all your hoses and clamps and reconnect them. Fit a new thermostat if your bike has one(you need a thermostat to control coolant flow) and fit a new radiator cap if it’s over 4 years old its due. Fill with coolant to the coolant manufactures mix recommendation don’t run it straight if it is meant to be mixed with water. Fill it slowly and let it stand so the air has a chance to get out of the system. After about 10mins I start it and let it idle for about 5 mins with the cap off to bleed the air out. I top it up and take it for a 10 min ride, recheck it when it cools, top it up and ride it.

TB

Used this method on both 250x and 450x today and worked a treat , filled up with Engine Ice and ready to go

Thanks for the pointers TB !!

Nick

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