Radiator Level

[Aidan]

Hi,

I've just flushed the rad and changed the coolant on my SV650 SK3. After the first run I've let the bike cool down and on checking the radiator I've noticed that the level is about 1 inch below the cap. The overflow bottle is still at max. Are my pipes or radiator leaking - or is that just the expansion to be expected as the coolant warms and cools?

[riktherider]

did you bleep the system properly when you filled it up?? if not then it is probably just air escaping from lower in the system. best way to do it is to fill it up, run for a bit with the cap off so you can see it circulate when the thermostat opens, then you should see the level lower, top up accordingly then it should be fine. i leave my expansion tank about 1/2 full most of the time.

[Aidan]

I've just tried that quickly and looks like that could be the fix. Thanks. I'll have a better go this evening after it's had a chance to cool down from my commute home.