Is it wise to change coolant myself ?

[valleyboy]

Right, my Kwak is (was!) due its major service (2000 miles ago!), and as its an expensive bugger, Im going to do bits of it myself before taking it to the garage for them to do the rest of it....

oil change and filter change wont bother me, generaly greasing anything that moves, oil cables etc.. check fuel pipes... only part that worries me is changing the coolant....

any suggestions on how to go about that one?? would like to do it myself, as the resevoir is rather dirty as well, plus would like to clean behind the radiator by taking the bugger off....

just any tips on putting coolant back in, would be greatful :)

cheers!

[SVeeedy Gonzales]

Generally you need to get on the bike and rock the bike side to side after you've added some coolant, to clear any air trapped in there. Then you can add more. Finally the recommendation (when you think you've got rid of all the air and it's topped up with coolant) is to run the engine for a bit and then check it again in case any more air bubbles have come out. The technique is covered in the SV manual on here - can't see it being much different for any other type of cooling/radiator system.

[wheelnut]

If you take a bike in for a scheduled service that states coolant must be changed, gigglepins should be discarded and tyres blown up to 75psi, that is what they will do. You cannot do half a service and let them do the rest, because even dealers have to make money.

I think if you change the coolant, that is a bigger waste of money as they will just throw the new coolant away

[valleyboy]

they already know Im going to do parts of it.... Ive already talked with them about it, they just asked, tell us what you have done, and we'll do the rest so as not to waste time
it needs the valve clearance checking.. which is why I want to save money on other parts! and as I will be buying most of the stuff off them to do it anyway... they'll still make money off me! :lol:


whats a gigglepin? :oops:

some of it, I may end up not doing, the coolant I'd rather do, as I can clean the engine behind the radiator then...

[Scoobs]

whats a gigglepin? :oops:

Very similar to a minge gimlet, but nothing like a flange rotator.

HTH

[rictus01]

PM "jambo" he's just finished checking and changing his valve shims on his ZX6, it'll be the same on yours, no special tools needed.

As to the coolant change, drain, flush, re-fill, run, re-fill, seal system, run to temp (opens thermostat), allow to cool :!: , check level, adjust as needed.

Job done.

Cheers Mark.

[Dicky Ticker]

Obviously it will change between garages/dealers but in general the more you can do yourself,even the simple bits like removing lowers,changing oil and filters,coolant and basics like chain adjustment saves you money I have found the general concensus being if you tell them what has been done they will see that it is fresh oil in the optic,new clean filtrs etc. and as all main dealerships seem to be very busy it reduces their workload and they are perfectly willing to carry out the remainder of the service and stamp your service book

All I would say is ask them first as not all will,but many many will

[Warren]

my dealer says to me . . .

if i want to do a service myself, do it, they will then check it quickly and stamp my book for me :)