Coolant on Tenere
 

Hi guys, due to the crap nature of the coolant reservoir and the fact that its pretty much impossible to actually see the level, i got a bit paranoid and topped up the coolant a little.

Went out on the bike for 20 mins and came back and when i put side stand down and came off, coolant came p***ing out of the bottom, out through the plastic skid plate until it stopped bar a few drips.

Obviously i`ve overfilled it slightly(I can now just see the level bobbing about about 2 cms above max level - and also strangely around the filler cap depending on the angle of the bike, both on the x and y axis).

Is this a cause for concern? Should i try and remove some of the excess coolant from the filler cap? And if so, whats the easiest way?Siphon etc?

Or can I relax and assume that any excess coolant will keep p***ing out the bottom until the max level has been reached? ie nothing is going to go "Boom" if i leave it as is?

Any info will be appreciated.

**Also, whats the best way to clean the parts that are now starting to rust due to bad winter(and being covered and not being used for long periods). Basically the front area of the bike, where the horn and radiator are located, and also the side stand spring etc. Are there any tips to clean this up and maintain it properly?


Ryben

You could siphon/syringe the excess coolant out if you're fussy, but it'll be OK to leave it, the excess will just be forced out when the engine's hot from the vent hose you mention. Checking the level in the dark while shining a torch or inspection lamp on the reservoir is the easiest way to get it right.

As for cleaning, use Muc-off or something similar and wash with fresh water, then coat everything liberally in ACF-50. I wouldn't use a pressure washer in the area you talk about because of the proximity of electrical gear, particularly the rectifier.

might just leave it, as it maybe tricky and fussy to try and syringe it out to get it to the max level mark. As long as its OK to leave until the bike gets rid of the excess thats fine, although just had a thought....coolant isn't corrosive or anything? IE its OK to have it dribbling out the base of the bike short term until i get used to reading the levels etc and topping up only when required?

I`ll try your Muc off and ACF-50 tips this weekend. I`m not too keen on pressure washers due to tales of wet rectifiers and washed away cush drive bearings and prefer to do it with old fashioned elbow grease.

***Also any tips for the spokes as surprisingly a few are starting to rust a bit?

Same, ACF-50. Put it on a rag and rub up and down the spokes, they won't look shiny, but they won't go rusty!

Coolant at the concentration in the Z shouldn't cause any corrosion problems, but I'd rinse off any painted parts just to be sure. More of a worry might be if it dribbles out while your at some lights and leaves a slippy patch on the road just in front of your back tyre!

Be careful, its deadly to animals and humans if drunk and has a somewhat sweet taste. A cat or dog would lick it up.

Not really a problem for your bike but won't do paint on frame any good over time. Best to remove the panal, pop the top off and put a corner of a clean rag in the bottle. Leave it to soak the liquid up and it will become saturated with coolant by capillary action. That's the alternative to sucking or syringing. then clean the area with a good rinse in clean water. Another easy way is use a washing up liquid bottle empty of course. put a tube over the end. squash some of the air out of bottle and hold it squashed. Pop the other end of tube in the reservoir, let go of the bottle and hey presto, sucky suck suck.

Actually this process isn't really sucking, its making use of atmospheric pressure to push the liquid into the bottle to replace the vaccuum.

Happy sucking

Al.



Al.

To take fluid out use a turkey Baster, cheap as chips from any supermarket.

:boozer: Just in case anyone's takes a straw to there coolant reservoir on a hot day I'll cover my arse by giving some medical advice...

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/e...cle/002751.htm

Apparently a teaspoon full can kill a cat!?

damn and it looks so tasty....like a melted raspberry slushie... :)

but thankyou for all the tips.Might try the clean rag or baster(syringe), as I dont think it would take much to reduce the level to correct amounts.

You should really only check the cooling system levels when the engine is ice cold.