Coolant Question--2 Part

[whozyer]

Went to ck coolant level today for the 1st time(one month owner)(1100 ace) could not see a fluid line between the marks--idled for 5 min. before cking--so i took a 60 mile ride --came home --leveled the scoot and still could not see a fluid line between the marks--so i added a little bit of Honda coolant and it came out the overflow tube---So evidently IT IS FULL. Does this hurt anything? 2nd ? is--can I take off the radiator cap and ck with an antifreeze tester(the ball floating type) to see if it is ready for winter? thanks for any input

[Cbjr]

Sure, but it should be changed every two years, or 24k miles what ever comes first- easy easy job, compared to changing the water pump.

[whozyer]

Ok Thanks but what about it being overfull--Will it hurt anything as it does with oil--I don't know --I'm just trying to learn thongs here--THONGS?? Wow I mean things--HA

[Cbjr]

Originally Posted by whozyer

Ok Thanks but what about it being overfull--Will it hurt anything as it does with oil--I don't know --I'm just trying to learn thongs here--THONGS?? Wow I mean things--HA

No it won't hurt anything, it will just piss out the overflow like you have experienced- The radiator is kept plumb full by the overflow tank, it sucks the fluid back into the radiator when it cools, so over fill isn't a bad thing unless your dog or cat laps up the spill (it's kind of sweet and very poisonous).

[SHADOW 1100T]

You can check the coolent by removing the cap when COOL but you have to take the tank off to access the back push screw on the black valence cover by the sterring stem on the right side.

[adlowe]

When I check mine, the only way I can see the marks is by holding a samll flashlight under the bike and shining it into the bottom of the reservoir bottle; with just the right angle, the marks are easy to read. PITA, though.

[SHADOW 1100T]

"If" the return hose is in good condition, and quite often it isn't because it will crack just behind where it's connected to the Rad. and/or overflow tank, and the tank is over full it will discharge the excess and regulate it's self to a working fluid level,,,,the fill line is irrelevant.

[whozyer]

Thanks for the info guys---but what does PITA mean?

[SHADOW 1100T]

P*ain I*n T*he A*ss

[SHADOW 1100T]

When pulling the tank there's a vent hose that's located at the lower back RH side of the tank that needs to be taken off, it gets awkward as Heck if you don't, it won't leak even though it located at the bottom, it's just a tank air vent also Make sure you have a stable place to put the $1200 tank when you take it off. Wrap a rag around the main gas line, it will spill a little when it pulled or you can shut it off and run the bike a bit to drop the gas level in the hose.