1. 4 Stroke Husqvarna Motorcycles Made In Italy - About 1989 to 2014
    TE = 4st Enduro & TC = 4st Cross

2014 TE449 - Radiator Cap - Coolant - Coolant recovery tank

Discussion in '4 Stroke' started by Jason Magee, Jun 16, 2016.

  1. Jason Magee Husqvarna

    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    2014 TE449
    Hi guys,

    I'm new to the forum and recently purchased my first TE449. I bought it used with 350 miles. It has the common upgrades such as the oil recirculation kit, breather vent, power commander (running race maps 2 not sure if that is best or not?), FMF muffler, and a few other small things.

    I have a few questions regarding something that happened. I went for a local ride and noticed coolant coming out the drain tube. Fan comes on, flow is good etc. I have read that it can possibly the cap.

    Is this a common problem that TE449 owners experience?

    If it is the cap, is there a cap ya'll recommend replacing it with?

    And what are your thoughts on a coolant recovery tank? Has anyone built one for their TE449? If so, would you mind sharing pics and how to do it? Its something that I'd like to build and put on my bike.

    I plan on flushing the coolant and running XF2 once I figure out the issue. Is that the recommend coolant?

    I appreciate any help/answers and look forward to learning about these bikes.
  2. GFJ Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Location:
    Wales, UK
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    Te449, TE630
    Other Motorcycles:
    G650 xChallenge (x2), R1200RT, C90
    Sounds bizarre, but try putting a smear of grease on both the seals in the cap. Mine would lose some until I did this (at the suggestion of the supplying dealer). No problems since. (Apparently it helps them seat and seal better).

    Next I would try a different cap.
    Trenchcoat85 likes this.
  3. Trenchcoat85 Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    Northern NorCal
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    '14 TE 310R
    Other Motorcycles:
    '85 shovel, '75 DT400, '97 XR400
    along these same lines: ensure both surfaces (radiator & rubber plunger) are clean/junk free... also make sure the little metal vacuum relief valve in the bottom center is clean and debris-free too.
  4. Huskynoobee CH Sponsor ZipTy Racing

    Location:
    Castaic, CA
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    2011 TE449 2006 WR250
    Other Motorcycles:
    HDUltra Classic IT200 YZ250 SV650s
    Check the cap, and switch to the xf2 waterless coolant. It doesn't boil over like water mixed coolant. It could be that it just got hot enough to boil and burp coolant from the cap as designed.
  5. daddyrat Husqvarna
    B Class

    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    2013 te449
    reading his post the coolant is not coming from the cap. It comes from th eoverflow/drain. This happens when the radiators are full to the brim and the thing gets hot while riding single trail/ slow / low speed trails. It does happen to mine. All you have to do is fill it up again. Core just visible as per hand book. No biggy in my opinion. If you come up with a good design for reservoir please post it. I'll install one too. ;-)
  6. Huskynoobee CH Sponsor ZipTy Racing

    Location:
    Castaic, CA
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    2011 TE449 2006 WR250
    Other Motorcycles:
    HDUltra Classic IT200 YZ250 SV650s

    Well, the coolant doesn't come from the cap, but the cap does regulate the pressure in the tank. As the temp and pressure builds, it opens to allow the coolant to escape via the overflow hose. So just to be clear, the cap is still a potential problem. But, as you mentioned, an overfilled system will burp the excess coolant. However switching to a waterless coolant is the ultimate way to prevent temp and pressure induced coolant loss associated with conventional glycol and water formulations. And you won't need to add weight and plumbing by installing a reservoir.
  7. Trenchcoat85 Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    Northern NorCal
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    '14 TE 310R
    Other Motorcycles:
    '85 shovel, '75 DT400, '97 XR400
    it ain't a 449 but it could be:

    coolant tank location.jpg

    2oz/60ml syringe; adds about 1oz to the bike & about 3 more fluid ounces of coolant. just the right size for a small cooling system. I took my broken fan off about 1-1/2 years ago (and put the overflow on about 9 months ago) and haven't looked back. Older TE's used to have a fairly large overflow tank.

    BTW, if you're doing the fill/release/fill/release (ad nauseam) thing, flush your system at least once a year. That's the reason there was so many radiator shops around before 1975- not many overflow tanks and lotsa clogged cores.
    daddyrat likes this.
  8. Dangermouse449 Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    Sunshine Coast QLD Australia
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    2011 TE449
    Other Motorcycles:
    2009 CRF450R 2000 YZ125
    The coolant should be about 10mm or so (1/2") from the filler neck when cold, otherwise as it expands it will dribble a little coolant out.
    Totally normal operation.

    If it starts from that lower point & continues to leak, then look for a problem with the cap.
  9. Jason Magee Husqvarna

    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    2014 TE449
    I just got back in and will be getting into these suggestions this wk. I really appreciate all the great replies and will keep you posted.

    Thanks again guys!