How to check coolant level

[masterdave]

How do you check this?

[Kev L]

Coolant tank is between the Vee on the right. Hold bike upright and check the level is between the max & min lines.

[masterdave]

Oh i thought that was just the overflow/expansion tank, simpler than i thought

[Steve6088]

Oh i thought that was just the overflow/expansion tank, simpler than i thought

It is, but if the coolant in the system is low, coolant is taken out of the reservoir and vice versa if there is too much coolant in the system

[lloydie]

I thought that was the reserve petrol tank ha ha
Or for when you need to go badly in a city Centure :-)

[bazza696]

Oh i thought that was just the overflow/expansion tank, simpler than i thought

It is, but if the coolant in the system is low, coolant is taken out of the reservoir and vice versa if there is too much coolant in the system

when I had the bike to pieces there is no return to the radiator system, one pipe in for overflow from the pressure cap and one pipe out as overflow for the tank.

Because it is a pressurised cooling system the overflow would have to be like a cars, a pressure relief cap.

[VTRDark]

when I had the bike to pieces there is no return to the radiator system, one pipe in for overflow from the pressure cap and one pipe out as overflow for the tank.

That sounds about right.

If I was filling my cooling system, say after draining it all or being very low for some other reason. I would first top at the radiator cap. Start the bike up and let it build up to running temperature and squeeze the coolant hoses in and out to get rid of any airlocks that may be in the system, then top up, put the cap back on and then top up to the appropriate level in the expansion bottle. Let the bike warm up again so the thermostat opens and check levels again.

(:-})

[bazza696]

when I had the bike to pieces there is no return to the radiator system, one pipe in for overflow from the pressure cap and one pipe out as overflow for the tank.

That sounds about right.

If I was filling my cooling system, say after draining it all or being very low for some other reason. I would first top at the radiator cap. Start the bike up and let it build up to running temperature and squeeze the coolant hoses in and out to get rid of any airlocks that may be in the system, then top up, put the cap back on and then top up to the appropriate level in the expansion bottle. Let the bike warm up again so the thermostat opens and check levels again.

(:-})

Perfect

[masterdave]

so when checking the coolant level on my bike, am i checking it from the expansion bottle or not? sorry to be stupid but am unsure of this and i guess its pretty important

[bazza696]

so when checking the coolant level on my bike, am i checking it from the expansion bottle or not? sorry to be stupid but am unsure of this and i guess its pretty important

Unfortunately you need to check the level by removing the cap on the radiator, so the fairing needs removing. I have not tried it but you may be able to undo one side and flex it enough to access the rad cap.

[Kev L]

Just checked the Honda w/s manual and the level is checked at the reserve tank (between the V on the right). The Haynes manual states the same thing. The only time the rad cap needs to come off is if the system has been drained or leaking.
Hope this helps mate.

[VTRDark]

Since when do we listen to Honda

If you have removed coolant hoses, drained any of the system, then start with the rad cap. If it's just a general top up use the expansion bottle.

(:-})