Doing a swap of all fluids on this 7K 2014 Terra. Going by the shop manual I opened the drain screw below the water pump and a teaspoon dribbled out. Made sure the reservoir tank cap was open as well. Weird, the tank looks empty (?). Backed off the radiator cap with no change except...coolant seeped out of the radiator cap. huh... The bike is vertical on my lift. The manual says it should be on the sidestand. Maybe that's why it's not draining? If this is a real PITA then I may just top it up and call it good. The PO swapped out the coolant for ICE the first month he bought the bike (new). Thoughts?
So, you backed out the screw on the water pump and nothing came out? As I remember, you will want to remove the radiator cap completely, and then pull that screw on the water pump. It should pour out. You might put it on the side stand? Also, I always syphon any remaining coolant out to the overflow tank and put fresh stuff in everywhere. Only done this once on this bike, but this is what my fuzzy memory remembers. When you fill it, you put it on the side stand (so the radiator is on the high side) and burp it for a LONG time to get all the air out. I leave the radiator cap off, let the bike come up to temp, and let it burp until no more air comes out. You might have a little coolant push out as the temp rises, but better than a bubble in the system.
Yes finally got it figures Caps off Screw removed In the sidestand Took about 20 minutes to drain out Thanks for the burpage info Manual sez to run it til fan comes on then top up the tank Should I burp it first?
For the fill up: Keep it on the side stand and put the screw back in. Then add coolant until it's "full". Keep the cap off and start the bike. It will bubble (burp) and you will have to top it off. Then every now and then you might rock it a bit to try to get air out. Eventually, it will stop bubbling and will really start coming out the top (usually about the time the fan comes on). Cap it off. Check the overflow tank level and be sure it's at an acceptable (viewfinder helps) level. Ride it and watch the temps. You might still have a bubble or two, repeat the cap off "burping procedure" above if your temps start to creep too high.
practice putting the cap on while engine is cold and not running. It's not that easy and you need to be quick. Also squeeze the coolant hoses to push out air. I wouldn't wait until the fan comes on to put the cap back on (risk of overheating). I find it easier to check the level in the radiator for a few days after having changed the coolant when the engine is cold and fill it up through the overflow tank by holding the bike vertical for a moment. Top up the overflow tank if needed.
Took it for a 20 minute test ride with the bodywork off (much easier to get the radiator cap off/on) after checking the res was at to the right level. I didn't see any puking or bad temps on the gauge. I have to assume I'm good to go...
