CHanging Coolant etc

[Rob1969in]

Tomorrow I am going to attempt to drain my bike of water/coolant and put new coolant and water in, I noticed today that my filler bottle was empty and it took nearly 1.5 litres to fill it, which doesn't sound right does it
So think a start would be too drain the system and top it up and then keep an eye on things, hope there isn't a blown head gasket on it's way
Could anyone please tell me the best mix of water n coolant or do you recommend all coolant? if some water is okay does it have to be distilled? I've looked on youtube for a helpful video as I have never done this procedure on a four stroke before, but the only likely vid, the bloke doing it was filming his arm most of the time ,so no help at all!

Cheers in advance,

Rob.

[M in KC]

Rob, any 50/50 antifreeze/water mixture will work. If you decide to drain out what you have left be mindful there are sealing crush washers behind some of the fittings that may leak if reused. As you start to refill the motor you will need to straddle the bike in the riding position to rock it side to side to "burp" the system free of air with the motor running. Check the online manuals for coolant quanties for the system as I don't recall them off the top of my head. And if you don't buy a pre-mixed 50/50 coolant I would encourage you to use distilled water to cut your full strength coolant with as it will have a lower likelihood of fouling your coolant passages in the rad. etc.

A blown, leaking or weeping head gasket will materialize most likely in the crank case oil just watch you oil level window for foam or what looks to be a vanilla milk shake/malt.

Changing your cooant is not a hard thing. If after you get everything done and your temp gauge still reads higher than you think it should you most likely still have air in the system. Let it cool back down and top it off again and rock the bike side to side again to "burp" it further.

[Rob1969in]

Brilliant advice many thanks indeed , I was going to do it today but its pissed with rain all day so will do it tomorrow , thanks again your advice is most helpful .