May 7th, 2013, 06:39 PM | #1 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Al
Location: MI, metro detroit area
Join Date: Apr 2012 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250r Posts: 228
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Coolant
As I was installing my AreaP system i noticed that the coolant is almost below the Low line in the tank. I had a few questions.
I would appreciate any feedback on the subject matter. edit: pg 94-99 in my manual part no. 99987-1691 for reference
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May 7th, 2013, 06:49 PM | #2 |
dirty boy
Name: Joe
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i noticed the same thing the other week i had my bike apart. I plan on just topping it off whether or not this is the best idea.
I just bought some pre mixed bike coolant when i was at the bike store browsing the other day. My original plan was to buy coolant and mix myself but sometimes im a sucker for easy i'm sure i way overpaid. interested in seeing what others chime in and say |
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May 7th, 2013, 06:51 PM | #3 |
Board Member
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Location: WI
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Yes
No Any antifreeze. I like lp coolants. Only need to flush if changing coolant type. Again..you can just top off...match colors and run 50/50. |
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May 7th, 2013, 07:14 PM | #4 | |
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Quote:
http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/Cooling_system http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/How_do_...ling_system%3F Never use non-distilled water for anything related to the cooling system of your bike. Any new coolant most be rated "safe for aluminum radiators".
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May 7th, 2013, 07:46 PM | #5 |
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If it's still above the low line, I wouldn't worry about it. If I did worry about it, I'd put in a small amount of distilled water until it was more in the middle between the lines.
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May 7th, 2013, 08:02 PM | #6 |
Long Time Rider
Name: Blue
Location: Charlotte, NC
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Can I just purchase some coolant and fill up the reservoir? Yes If the above is acceptable, is their a specific bike coolant? There are bike specific coolants, but you don't need it at this point. Regular antifreeze (the green stuff) will work fine. Just make sure it is safe for aluminum. It will mix fine with the OEM coolant. Do i have to do a flush I am almost at 4k miles? No, only if you are changing the coolant. I guess my main concern too is if i have to do a flush with the reserve tank being so low. You should not have to do a flush with so little miles. Just check to make sure the coolant in the reservoir has not oxidized and has sediment in the bottom. Then top it off correctly and check the radiator too Good info here. http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showp...09&postcount=7 http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showp...postcount=2720 |
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May 8th, 2013, 04:37 PM | #7 | ||||||
ninjette.org member
Name: Al
Location: MI, metro detroit area
Join Date: Apr 2012 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250r Posts: 228
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I attached image, It is not as low as i thought, i checked at it when it was on side stand so it appeared lower than it was. When i held it as steady as i could with one hand to snap the photo it looks like im just above the Low line.
Quote:
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I am about to go to an O Reillys Auto parts (used to be Murrays if anyone in area) - like an autozone to go pick some up. Any particular brand that matches up with the stock to top it off? one of the articles said: Quote:
Edit: When i fill it do i fill it to match the H line, ride around for a bit then check to top it off? Or do i do it in between the H and L a lil below the H?
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May 8th, 2013, 04:40 PM | #8 |
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Most supermarkets should have some. If not, hardware stores. The advantage to distilled water is that it isn't going to react with anything. There's a (small) chance that whatever antifreeze you add may not play nice with the aging antifreeze that you have in the bike already. It's not a great idea to mix different types, although the risk is small. If you're just topping it up a smidge, adding a little bit of distilled water has zero risk.
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May 8th, 2013, 05:19 PM | #10 | |
ninjette.org member
Name: Al
Location: MI, metro detroit area
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Quote:
If i add some distilled, how much should i add either until i top it off or flush? It seems like i am just over the L line (3-4mm), had my dad hold it up straight for me while i took a peek. You can really tell just from the outside? Damn. Here is another pic from what i was able to grab from inside, it still looked like kawi green. If you guys recommend i do the flush i can probably do it this weekend. It doesn't seem to bad of a job. Would have just avoided it for another year if it wasn't necessary. I do not see no formations of buildup sediments or crystallization of any sort.
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May 8th, 2013, 05:22 PM | #11 |
wat
Name: wat
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keep in mind in a correctly working cooling system, the overflow is not used. check the actual radiator cap for fluid levels and coolant condition
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May 8th, 2013, 05:44 PM | #12 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Al
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Here's with cap off, looks good but those floaties. What do you recommend?
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May 8th, 2013, 06:11 PM | #13 |
wat
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a full fluids flush with an oil test to make sure your engine is healthy never hurt. your coolant looks disgusting btw. and if i saw that kind of shiny particles floating around i would assume part of the water pump was going out or something
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May 8th, 2013, 06:17 PM | #14 | |
ninjette.org member
Name: Al
Location: MI, metro detroit area
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Quote:
How do i determine the water pump is bad? Is that an easy swap out or is that a B.. Also should i keep it how it is for now then, a little above the L or should i go run and find some distilled water?
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May 8th, 2013, 06:39 PM | #15 | |
Long Time Rider
Name: Blue
Location: Charlotte, NC
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Quote:
I'd be more concerned if you had some yellow/ brown/ greenish sludge around the neck or bottom of the cap. My OEM coolant was the same cooler as yours, when I replaced it. |
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May 8th, 2013, 06:42 PM | #16 | |
ninjette.org member
Name: Al
Location: MI, metro detroit area
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Quote:
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May 11th, 2013, 12:15 PM | #17 | |
ninjette.org member
Name: Al
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I just bought some engine ice. And want to make sure before I do the change. To do the flush I can use tap / hose water to run it clean like the wiki says?
Quote:
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May 11th, 2013, 12:47 PM | #18 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Jesse
Location: Ann arbor mi
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make sure the coolant you put in is silicate free. I use pro honda hp coolant.
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May 11th, 2013, 02:06 PM | #19 |
Board Member
Name: ...
Location: WI
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I flush with distilled water. You never get what u put in all out and this prevents issues.
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May 11th, 2013, 03:33 PM | #20 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Al
Location: MI, metro detroit area
Join Date: Apr 2012 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250r Posts: 228
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How much do I need to buy of the coolant and distilled water? I could not find the volume of liquid needed. I purchase one container of the 1/2 gal Engine Ice. Is that enough? I was waiting for a response - will have to do flush tomorrow.
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May 11th, 2013, 03:38 PM | #21 |
Board Member
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Buy 3 gal of water. Its $3. Do the pure water flush as mentioned.
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May 11th, 2013, 03:59 PM | #22 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Joe
Location: Florida
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1.5L (1.6 US qt) of coolant according to the service manual. Two or three gallons of distilled water should be plenty to thoroughly flush the system.
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May 11th, 2013, 05:04 PM | #23 | ||
ninjette.org member
Name: Al
Location: MI, metro detroit area
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Quote:
Quote:
It does not say silcate free, but it does say phosphate free. It also does not say that it is or isnt safe for aluminum engines. I believe it is safe from all of the reccommendations: (ninjette, the guys at local shop, and STG.com). I attached pics for anyone interested. It says a non toxic environmentally friendly propylene glycol formula premixed with de-ionized water.
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May 11th, 2013, 05:34 PM | #24 |
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Keep flushing until it starts to look like it's coming out nearly as clear as when it went in. It sometimes takes a while, but you should have more than enough water.
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May 11th, 2013, 05:46 PM | #25 |
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If it were me I would run a hose from the house and leave that in to flush it for as long as I liked if you believe you have a lot of crud in there.
Now you don't want to run the system with tap water, but it won't harm the system at all just being used to just flush the gunk out, just make sure you then rinse it with with deionised water a couple times after the tap water rinse. The problem being the ions in the water will cause the aluminium to corrode or they will deposit on the aluminium like limescale in a tea kettle, but this happens over time and under heat, so ten minutes in a cold engine is ok if it's flushed. |
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May 11th, 2013, 05:49 PM | #26 |
ninjette.org dude
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Yup. I've done that in the past as well.
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May 11th, 2013, 06:56 PM | #27 | |
ninjette.org member
Name: Al
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Just picked up the distilled water in prep for tommorrow.
Quote:
Then run distilled water for final run through with turning on the bike and riding it for 5 min then draining that then goes the coolant + airbubble removal correct?
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May 11th, 2013, 07:18 PM | #28 |
ninjette.org dude
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Yup - the problem with the hose is that you will start to create quite a bit of waste water, and will need enough buckets to hold it. The drained coolant and that wastewater shouldn't be just flushed down the drain, and needs to be dropped off somewhere, which makes it somewhat cumbersome.
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May 13th, 2013, 03:59 PM | #29 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Al
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I flushed it out with a gallon of distiller till it ran clear. Then about another half filled a let it run. Going to do one more run with riding around before I fill with the coolant. I only had minimal spillage - on exhaust and a bit on engine underneath the header drain. How can I clean that up safety so nothing gets too hot and burns? Safe with the small amount I dripped on floor?
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May 13th, 2013, 05:18 PM | #30 |
Board Member
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It should just be water. ..you'll be fine
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May 13th, 2013, 06:45 PM | #31 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Al
Location: MI, metro detroit area
Join Date: Apr 2012 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250r Posts: 228
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Ok ok - last one. I filled and checked for air bubbles and drove around for awhile a refilled. My dad checked how much was at the cap and said it was good. And that it needs to be able breathe and fluctuate. Its right at the bottom of the second opening, see pic.
Is that good or should I top it off a bit?
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May 14th, 2013, 06:22 PM | #32 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Will
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According to the service manual, you're a bit low
Last futzed with by dailowill; May 15th, 2013 at 12:56 PM. Reason: Changing attachment to jpg. Hopefully that will preview... |
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May 16th, 2013, 04:47 PM | #33 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Al
Location: MI, metro detroit area
Join Date: Apr 2012 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250r Posts: 228
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Thanks!
Edit: And thanks to everyone who commented and helped - I could not have done it without everyones feedback and suggestions.
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May 17th, 2013, 05:46 AM | #34 |
Daily Ninjette rider
Name: Hernan
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You are welcome
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