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How often do you add radiator coolant?

BobPS

BobPS

Husqvarna
A Class
Hi guys,

In another thread I asked about how to check radiator for leak cause I have to refill my radiator with coolant several times already. Well, last week I took my bike to the dealership and ask the mechanic there to check if there's any leak on the radiator.

The next day when I picked it up, the mechanic told me that he couldn't find any leak on the radiator body or on the hoses.

Now, I have a question for you guys, TE630 owner: How often do you have to refill/topping up or add coolant to the radiator of your TE630 if you ride the bike every day? Do you have to top it up every other day or every weeks or...how often?

I commute on my bike everyday. I live in the tropics where it is hot and humid (average temp is between 27-30 Celcius). I ride in heavy stop-and-go traffic, to give you an idea, my office is about 11 km away from home, and most of the time it takes me 30-40 minutes to home.
In the morning, leaving for the office, it's usually better. Takes me about 20-30 minutes, cause I usually leave after rush hour.

I'm planning to check the coolant level everyday before I ride, and if I must refill/add coolant, I will measure how much coolant I really need to add to the radiator.

I will report back in about a week, mean while can you tell me how often do you guys add coolant into the radiator?

Thanks in advance guys.
Bob
 
Zero, and I check it at fairly regularly.
Unless I have a noticeable leak (had a few cracked radiators...) I've not lost any noticeable amount of coolant in 16k miles. I've replaced it a few times, but never lost any.

This of course doesn't count the overflow/reservoir tank in back, it's useless and there's no way to keep it full.

Have you tried replacing the cap? do you ever get coolant or steam from the overflow tank?
 
Yeah- another here who never has to add....and I'm sure we're speaking for pretty much everyone so, sad to say, I suspect there's something amiss w/ your bike.

I'm with Timberline- it's gotta be going someplace. How does your oil look? Any smoke/steam coming from the exhaust?
 
None of my bike lose coolant. Sorry. Might have an issue. Head gasket can either pressurize the system and slowly fill up the overflow, OR consume it in the cylinder head. Cam.

ps. if the mechanic did a pressure test I would think that a head gasket lead would show up. If he just did a visual then he owes you beer for being lazy.
 
Thanks very much guys.

RDTCU: Thank you. I will look for a radiator cap and see if it helps. Hopefully the dealer has it in stock, I doubt it though...:)
There's never any steam from the reservoir, but it's always empty. I mean I fill it up to the mark then several days later it's empty.
I often smell what smells like coolant, usually when I'm stopping at the traffic light, but it doesn't happen every time I stop.

Timberline, EricV, KXcam22, thank you.
Crossing my fingers that it's not the head gasket. Anyway, I never see any smoke or steam coming out of the exhaust.

KXCam22...hmmm I'm beginning to suspect that the mechanic owes me a beer. :D
Thanks,

Bob
 
Bob,

Try this before you go looking for another radiator cap. With the engine stone cold, start it up and let it idle for 10-20 seconds, then shut it off. Open the radiator cap. If it goes "psssh" releasing pressure I'd bet your head gasket has a slow leak.
 
Timberline, I tried what you suggested in the post above..several times..and fortunately I didn't hear any hissing sound. So hopefully it's just the cap or maybe there's a leak somewhere along the hose. I plan to look at the hose tomorrow, especially the one running under the gas tank to the exp tube.

Timberline, can you please enlighten me on how the method works?
 
A small leak in the head gasket can push exhaust gases past the head gasket into the cooling jacket and taking it back into the radiator. By running the engine for such a short time, the thermostat hasn't opened yet so the cooling system isn't pressurized yet. If you open the radiator cap before it should be pressurized, but it evidences the pssh release of pressure from opening the cap - then it's probably getting pressurized from a leaking head gasket.

Since yours isn't doing that, I hope it is something as simple as a rad cap.

Something else to look into: I've never done this myself, but some auto parts shops sell an additive that you can add to your coolant that's illuminated by UV light. The idea is you put it in, run the engine to get it fully circulated, and then use a UV light to look for evidence of where the leaks are coming from as indicated by the additive.
 
Thanks Timberline.
An update: I leave the bike in my garage these past several days, and yesterday (this morning too) I noticed there's a small puddle of coolant on the floor. It's under the left side radiator. It's somehow good to know that the cause is a leak on the radiator though I haven't been able to locate it yet.
Thanks guys.

edit: Forgot to ask. Is this part (radiator) easily available, or is it something that is hard to find?
I'm going to try to fix it first, but I need Plan B in case fixing it doesn't work and I need to buy replacement part.
 
BobPS said:
edit: Forgot to ask. Is this part (radiator) easily available, or is it something that is hard to find?
I'm going to try to fix it first, but I need Plan B in case fixing it doesn't work and I need to buy replacement part.
Click to expand...


I've bought my OEM replacements from Motoxotica, Hall's should be able to get them as well. They're not cheap...
I got a set of the thicker GPI replacements from ebay for ~$120, that's what's on there now.

You can have the factory one repaired, which usually means cutting off the endcaps, welding up the inside tube and welding the end caps back on, that's the only "real" fix. Anything else is a band-aid.
Google "dirt bike radiator repair" and see if there's anything close. I sent mine to a guy in Rock Hill, SC, but I'm having trouble digging up his contact info.

I'm good on the TIG, I just need a few grand for a good tig for the shop :thinking:
 
It sounds strange to say, but I'm "glad" it's the radiator rather than the head gasket. At least the stock radiator leak is a common/known issue - I'm holding my breath until mine does the same.

From what I've been told by my mechanic, the GPI replacement via eBay is far superior (and cheaper) than the OEM unit. RDTCU's comment about welding up the OEM may be easier/cheaper (ultimately) for you; I can't say.
 
Timberline said:
It sounds strange to say, but I'm "glad" it's the radiator rather than the head gasket. At least the stock radiator leak is a common/known issue - I'm holding my breath until mine does the same.

From what I've been told by my mechanic, the GPI replacement via eBay is far superior (and cheaper) than the OEM unit. RDTCU's comment about welding up the OEM may be easier/cheaper (ultimately) for you; I can't say.
Click to expand...


A new factory Alexon radiator from MotoXotica ran me around $220.
The GPI radiators were about $120 a set when I bought them.
Having one of my originals welded ran me $60.

The only downside to the GPI's is that you have to fab up a new fan bracket and work with the hoses and wiring a bit. They are thicker and a touch wider, so everything is a bit more snug. the top hoses rub the front of the fuel tank in my case, but it doesn't seem to be an issue.
 
From another thread:

RDTCU said:
Modified fan bracket, tweaked the top crossover nipples to clear the coil, had to tweak the front guard mount tabs, seems these rads are a touch wider as well, but the tank does fit. The thicker rads are tight on the hoses to the thermostat, who here has ditched the thermostat/bypass and run straight from the water pump to the Y?
Click to expand...

RDTCU said:
Success for now, fan comes on when it's hot as it should, no leaks. Everything is just a little more snug.



Click to expand...
 
I've had 3 fail now, and on every one, it's been right in the middle of the innermost tube, closest to the frame.
 
RDTCU said:
I've had 3 fail now, and on every one, it's been right in the middle of the innermost tube, closest to the frame.
Click to expand...


Very helpful to know- thanks. I've had one fail and it's just sitting in my basement...so I may go ahead and take it to a radiator repair place to see what they can do and also learn where the leak originated.
 
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