coolant change gone wrong! : Kawasaki ZX Forums: Kawasaki Ninja Forum

kawi-x3 · 03-29-2009, 03:49 PM

how to fill coolant back once empty?

Hammerhead · 03-29-2009, 04:39 PM

I was reading up on this recently since I'm going to change mine soon. Once the drain plug is back in, pour coolant into the radiator cap, start the motor and keep adding coolant until the motor's warm and it comes up to the recommended level. When coolant is circulating and the filler will take no more, shut off the motor and fill the overflow tank to the prescribed level. Adding after the thermostat opens and coolant circulates helps evacuate all the air from the system. If you just fill it up and cap it off, air can become trapped in the passages and the motor will overheat from lack of cooling efficiency. When you drain the old coolant, you can pull the hose off the water pump to get the last bit out and be sure to pull the overflow tank off and drain it to get all the old stuff out before you start refilling.

**Shifty1** · 03-29-2009, 08:48 PM

Morgan · 03-30-2009, 04:43 AM

I've always found that giving the bike a tiny shake while doing the fill helps the air bubble up as well.

kawi-x3 · 03-30-2009, 03:47 PM

thanks guys. i don't have the repair manual yet but....how much bodywork do i need to take off to get to the rad cap on a 99 zx6r? cause it looks like i need to take off the whole front end and air induction..

Hammerhead · 03-30-2009, 06:33 PM

Get the book before you start. On my bike, the cap is under the right inner fairing panel and not on the radiator itself.

BULLDOG · 03-31-2009, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hammerhead

I was reading up on this recently since I'm going to change mine soon. Once the drain plug is back in, pour coolant into the radiator cap, start the motor and keep adding coolant until the motor's warm and it comes up to the recommended level. When coolant is circulating and the filler will take no more, shut off the motor and fill the overflow tank to the prescribed level. Adding after the thermostat opens and coolant circulates helps evacuate all the air from the system. If you just fill it up and cap it off, air can become trapped in the passages and the motor will overheat from lack of cooling efficiency. When you drain the old coolant, you can pull the hose off the water pump to get the last bit out and be sure to pull the overflow tank off and drain it to get all the old stuff out before you start refilling.

Yep pretty much in a nutshell.

JKL1960 · 03-31-2009, 09:02 AM

Pssst, try this link.