ST1100 coolant change

PepperCrab

Joined
Dec 3, 2010
Messages
64
Location
Singapore
Bike
2002 ST1100
Going to do a coolant change for the first time. The manual says to remove the exhaust pipes in order to have enough room to remove the engine coolant drain screws (not the one on the radiator).

Does everyone do this, or is there an easier way? Removing the entire exhaust system requires a lot of work and replacement gaskets that I hope I can avoid.

Thanks!
 
Or you can assume the little bit of fluid that you don't get by pulling the block drain plugs will be fine mixed with all the other new coolant. If I recall when George and I did mine we pulled the lower rad hose and the rad plug to drain as much as possible then filled her back up. If you have really dirty coolant and need to get it all then you could probably fill it with distilled water and run for a minute or so then drain again before filling with the new coolant.

Oh and don't forget the overflow bottle.
 
What Schlep said. If ya BLOW into the radiator with the lower hose removed, it'll get most of the rest out of the block. A flush before refilling will get nearly all the old stuff. No need to EVAR remove the block drains.
 
+2...unless you have a major problem with crud,etc... you'll get a cup or two out extra. IMHO, not worth it if you change it every two years or so anyway.
 
Thanks everyone, great info. Is it safe to flush with tap water, or must distilled water be used for flushing also? (since it's going to stay in the system)

Btw, just out of curiosity, what is the difficulty in removing the engine drain bolt? Will a normal wrench be able to get to it? Is it a lack of clearance or...?

Thanks again
 
George said:
What Schlep said. If ya BLOW into the radiator with the lower hose removed, it'll get most of the rest out of the block. A flush before refilling will get nearly all the old stuff. No need to EVAR remove the block drains.
Click to expand...

That's the way I do it.
 
PepperCrab said:
Thanks everyone, great info. Is it safe to flush with tap water, or must distilled water be used for flushing also? (since it's going to stay in the system)

Thanks again
Click to expand...

Tom Mac 04a said:
If a flush, I 'd use distilled water... as yr gonna leave some in there.
Click to expand...

Question on this? The Haynes manual states, to flush the radiator out with a water hose, then fill with a flushing agent with normal tap water. Run engine, then drain.

When filling, put the required additive in with water.

Why is it best with distilled water?:confused:
 
There are mineral salts disolved in tap water.
Distilled water is just H20 no minerals.

Just a thought: Hose water is what I've always used on car engines when flushing...
 
I use a UVIEW Airlift system to evacuate the cooling system (creates a vacuum). It works like a charm for me.
 
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