Cooland change?

[DragonDan]

No manual, save for the one that came with the bike. I've searched the forums, but haven't found any topics.

I remember reading something about using an air bleed screw to let out the remaining air from the system. Other than that, it seems to be a fairly straightforward operation.
Any tips?

[firemanjim]

Bleed screw is right by radiator fill cap at neck and is necessary to refill.There is a drain bolt in l/s of engine cylinder block also.

[unummyu]

Dan,
What Jim said. On the 2003, the bleed screw is on the opposite side of the radiator from the filler, still on top. I pulled the bottom hose, drained the old fluid into a conntainer and set a hose to low flow and let her run through for 5 minutes or so.
Be careful with coolant, I understand dogs (and cats) love it, and it is fatal for them.

[DragonDan]

Thanks,
Didn't know about the draining plug in the engine block. I just pulled the lowest hose. Ran distilled water through, trying to get as much of the old stuff out as possible. Found the air bleed screw, which amazingly enough, made filling it up much easier!!!
Refilled with Engine Ice. I had a gift certificiate, so only cost me $20.00.
What is the coolant capacity? I only put in a little over a half gallon (approx. 2 liters).

[rodneybrown]

The drain in the side is to get the most coolant out of the block itself. As far as capacity goes, I don't subscribe to the measure an exact quantity method. Before I put her clothes back on I just run it and let it sit at operating temp for a bit. Then I go back in and top it off. The expansion tank will take care of it from that point on.

I know this is a bit late, but I recommend doing some homework on the web on the engine ice and similar products. They don't do any harm but then again it's not clear that they do anything at all. Probably the best coolant is plain water, the rest is just anti-freeze and corrosion inhibitors. I think if you really wanted to find out if it did any good, you could run two bikes (one with and one without engine ice) and use a laser thermometer to measure engine temp under similar conditions right through the air vents in the fairing. From what I have read you aren't going to see much difference.

[12magnum]

I flushed mine them put in zerex Go5 coolant 50/50 mix. this is the same stuff i run in my aluminum block european cars. the only problem I have found using zerex G05 on my sprint is that the coolant is clear, so it makes it hard to see how much is in the overflow reservior.

[Ron_F_D]

just my $ .02.
Be sure not to overtighten the bleed screw. If I recall it sits in a brass fitting that is in turn inbedded in plastic. If you overtighten you might strip that fitting right out.

[Jim_in_Calgary]

If you want the blue g48 gystantin, you can get it at a bmw dealership.

It's about $20 a gallon in concentrated form.