Coolant Change

[jmdaniel]

Open the drain valve, remove the radiator cap. When it drains out, re-fill it.
Put the engine through a heat cycle then top-up as necessary.

Done!

Okay, what's the absolute least amount of tupperware to take off to get to the radiator cap? And yes, I did a search, and this was the best thread I could find... The service manual has me turning into a nekkid bike, and that can't be either good or true...

 

[Twigg]

Open the drain valve, remove the radiator cap. When it drains out, re-fill it.
Put the engine through a heat cycle then top-up as necessary.

Done!

Okay, what's the absolute least amount of tupperware to take off to get to the radiator cap? And yes, I did a search, and this was the best thread I could find... The service manual has me turning into a nekkid bike, and that can't be either good or true...

With a Gen 1, if you have already discarded that silly bit of plastic covering the coolant cap on the expansion tank ....

The "A" panel.

 

[jmdaniel]

Gen 2 here...

 

[RossKean]

To fill or top-up?

The easiest way for a top-up is to add via the expansion tank. For a fill, you can remove the dash panels and get to it (with some difficulty).

 

[jmdaniel]

I'm looking to change, without doing the BJ option. From reading here on the forum, that can be done with a drain, fill, run, check expansion tank, etc... I was assuming the fill part is best done through the cap.

 

[RaYzerman19]

Just remove the left side A panel, and part of the cap is exposed. Prying out the fairing panel can be done, but I'd say take off the adjustable side panel and the two screws underneath that hold the side fairing. You can pry it out much easier than. Fill real slow and you'll trap less air.

 

[jmdaniel]

Thanks. I'll give it a shot...

 

[radiummadman]

I can't figure out how come it takes me longer to add coolant than it does to change oil & filter. **** them small handed yomamaha engineers !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[wheatonFJR]

I can't figure out how come it takes me longer to add coolant than it does to change oil & filter. **** them small handed yomamaha engineers !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Make sure you give it the full locked lips ********!

 

[jmdaniel]

I can't figure out how come it takes me longer to add coolant than it does to change oil & filter. **** them small handed yomamaha engineers !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm with ya. Whenever I'm working on mine, (and cursing), my wife will waddle out and say, "Well, if you didn't have those stubby child molester fingers...". Lovely, ain't she?

 

[MrZappo]

<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote'data-author="jmdaniel" data-cid="1229685" data-time="1431539027"><p>

I'm looking to change, without doing the BJ option. From reading here on the forum, that can be done with a drain, fill, run, check expansion tank, etc... I was assuming the fill part is best done through the cap.</p></blockquote>

I bought a big 200cc syringe with a tube attached to it.

Drain all you can. Than drop the tube into the radiator as far as possible. I got a lot more coolant out like this.

I did the BJ and still got a lot more out this way.

Worked great.

 

[Constant Mesh]

What are looking for MrZappo, gold nuggets in the bottom of the radiator?

Taking something exceedingly simple and making it absurd.

 

[MrZappo]

What are looking for MrZappo, gold nuggets in the bottom of the radiator?
Taking something exceedingly simple and making it absurd.

Well, actually no. Not looking for gold and certainly not absurd ... I work in an industry where we do things exact and happen to have sryinges of this size for a lot of stuff at work ...

In any event, I read the considerably complex and over the top "********" procedure that everyone who has an FJR has come across (and many follow) and was looking to get more coolant out a simpler way.

So, being the considerably intelligent and resourceful person that I am (and damn good looking as well so the ladies say) I took 5 minutes to drop the tube down the radiator and (to my surprise), got a ton more old coolant out .... Which is a good thing ...

It would probably save a lot of time and work over the "********" that a lot of people do since it eliminates the need to start and warm up the bike over and over ....

Discovering this, I posted my results to this forum to as I thought it might save the OP some time as he was trying to avoid the removal of the cowling ...

So, what seems absurd to you might actually help someone which is the purpose of this forum ... In that spirit, Ill continue to share my experiences here weather or not you find it absurd ... Your response seemed a bit mocking in its nature which is not appropriate IMHO.

Try it, you might like it ...

 

[Constant Mesh]

The point is there's no valid reason for trying to get every last drop of the coolant out. You're replenishing the corrosion inhibitors -- the reason for new coolant.

The "********" was always an absurdity. Someone taking something that's easy and making it far too complicated. It was a stage performance for the masses.

 

[MrZappo]

Well we definitely agree on that ....... Keep in mind, every minute spend in my garage tinkering on the FJR is a minute not spent on other (less important) things like lawn/cleaning/laundry so it is in the interest of my health to expand bike work to fill available time ....

The "********" is ridiculous in that it is excessive definitely ... If you want to get more coolant out without wasting 2 extra hours, the sryinge thing works and is easy to do ...

Does it make much difference, probably not just like oil, grease, final drive oil etc etc etc .....

Either way ride safe ...

 

[jmdaniel]

I just want to say this is probably a world record for the largest number of guys opining that a ******** is worthless.

 

[audiowize]

You Gen3 owners have noticed the coolant is now blue whereas the earlier Yamaha coolants were green. Is there any difference other than color? Any idea which supplier packages this stuff for Yamaha? The stealers charge a ridiculous price.

Blue coolant is a Honda thing, it should be easy enough to get at your nearest Honda dealership. (Powersports or otherwise)

 

[Niehart]

One of the locals that I trust suggested this: Zerex 675130 Asian Vehicle Anitfreeze

At $18.00 for gallon, it's a lot better buy than the Honda Pro HP Coolant 50/50 blend that I was paying $8.00 for a 1 quart.

 

[jmdaniel]

I took the advice of someone upstream, and bought the Peak 50/50, $12.99 at Advanced Auto. It ain't rocket science...

 

[jmdaniel]

Just wrapped it up, or I should say, I changed the coolant and ran it until hot. Waiting for the cool down, and will check. Thanks for the help, fellas. One thing I will mention that worked pretty slick for me is this:

https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/flotool-measu-funnel-10704/89011616-P

$5, and with the on/off valve at the bottom of the funnel, allowed me to fill the funnel with coolant, place the end of the hose securely, then open the valve slowly, to (hopefully) minimize air in the system. The on/off valve also helps to avoid overfill. Pretty useful for $5.