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1Back to top Go down   Newbie Coolant Change Question Empty Newbie Coolant Change Question Tue Aug 27, 2013 5:27 pm

klamityboy

klamityboy
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I have never changed the coolant in my K75 myself. I have a bad pdf of a Haynes manual (waiting for a Clymer to arrive). Recently, I have experienced more than normal heat on short rides. I suspect that the thermostat might not be opening. In any case a flush of the coolant seems to be in order. My first dumb question is, which is the coolant sensor that needs to be removed to drain the coolant? A or B?

Newbie Coolant Change Question Photo_11



Thanks



Last edited by klamityboy on Tue Aug 27, 2013 5:46 pm; edited 2 times in total (Reason for editing : spelling mistake)

    

2Back to top Go down   Newbie Coolant Change Question Empty Re: Newbie Coolant Change Question Tue Aug 27, 2013 7:54 pm

bolts

bolts
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It's A. The one that is closer to the ground.
A lot of k bikes do not have a water temp guage and thus a sensor here (at A), they just have a drain plug.

You say your bike is running hot. Is that according to your temp guage or your feeling? K bikes engines do generate a lot of heat that is normal.


__________________________________________________
1985 K100RT, VIN 0029031
1985 K100RS, VIN 0083583
1973 Honda CB750
1948 AJS 500
All on club plates
    

3Back to top Go down   Newbie Coolant Change Question Empty Re: Newbie Coolant Change Question Tue Aug 27, 2013 7:59 pm

klamityboy

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It is subjectively significantly hotter. Not sure the temp sensor is working properly as the needle will drop to the cold end of the gauge every so often, even though the bike is hot. It is time for a coolant change anyway so I thought I would try to tackle it myself. Thanks for the help identifying the correct thing to remove.

I am thinking that the thermostat is not opening thus the coolant temp gauge is not showing a very high reading but the engine is throwing off a significant amount of heat. I guess I should review the instructions on testing the opening temp of the thermostat.

    

4Back to top Go down   Newbie Coolant Change Question Empty Re: Newbie Coolant Change Question Wed Aug 28, 2013 4:31 am

MikeP

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It's just as well to remove the water pump cover to drain the coolant, it has the added bonus of letting you see what sort of state the impeller is in.

    

5Back to top Go down   Newbie Coolant Change Question Empty Re: Newbie Coolant Change Question Wed Aug 28, 2013 4:52 am

92KK 84WW Olaf

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Not sure the temp sensor is working properly as the needle will drop to the cold end of the gauge every so often, even though the bike is hot.

Sounds a bit like a sticking thermostat. They are cheap and probably wise to flush the system and change it.

If your fuel lines are old replace them with longer ones and move the tank earth back- when you go to top up the coolant after a few miles as one should you can simply lift the tank and pull it back to access the coolant cap above the radiator instead of having to disconnect the fuel lines. Also means you can access the relay box more easily by lifting the rear of the tank and propping it, again without disconnecting the fuel lines. You will only have to disconnect the electrical connections as they are not long enough.


__________________________________________________
1992 K100LT 0193214 Bertha Blue 101,000 miles
1984 K100RT 0022575 Brutus Baja Red 578 bought 36,000 now 89,150 miles
1997 K1100LT 0188024 Wotan Mystic Red 689 58,645 now 106,950 miles Deceased.
1983 K100RS 0011157 Fricka 606 Alaska Blue 29,495 miles Damn K Pox Its a Bat outta Hell Now 58,200 miles. 
1996 K1100LT 0233004 Lohengrin Mystic Red 38,000 miles currently 51,800 miles.
1983 K100RS 0004449 Odette R100 colours 58,000 miles. Sprint fairing now 63,390 miles

Past:
1968 Yamaha 80 YG1
1971 Yamaha 125 YAS-1
1968 Honda 125 SS
1970 Honda CD 175
1973 Honda CB500-4
Honda CX 500
    

6Back to top Go down   Newbie Coolant Change Question Empty IS???? Wed Aug 28, 2013 10:22 am

ibjman

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Is the cooling fan coming on when warm?

    

7Back to top Go down   Newbie Coolant Change Question Empty Re: Newbie Coolant Change Question Wed Aug 28, 2013 12:36 pm

klamityboy

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I just replaced the fuel lines a couple of month ago. Luckily my cheapness prevented me from buying the pre-formed BMW fuel lines. I purchased straight fuel lines and made them a bit long.

The fan is not coming on, although it will. I looked at the coolant path diagram in the BMW Repair Manual and it would seem to indicate that the water pump and thus the coolant temperature sensor are on the radiator side of the thermostatic valve. It is hard to tell as the arrows are faint in the manual. If that is the case then the temperature sensor would not be showing an excessively high temperature. Is this correct?

Are there any alternatives to the BMW thermostatic valve? It is about $60 and two weeks delivery time to my local BMW dealer.

    

8Back to top Go down   Newbie Coolant Change Question Empty Re: Newbie Coolant Change Question Wed Aug 28, 2013 12:49 pm

club_c

club_c
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K-boy, have you checked for the valve at Shail's in Langley?  Google for the number, they will ship quickly.


__________________________________________________
"There's never enough time to do it right, but there's always time to do it over."

1988 K100RS SE VIN 01477554
    

9Back to top Go down   Newbie Coolant Change Question Empty Re: Newbie Coolant Change Question Wed Aug 28, 2013 12:57 pm

klamityboy

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Good point. I had not considered Shail's. I will give them a call. Thanks for the reminder.

    

10Back to top Go down   Newbie Coolant Change Question Empty Re: Newbie Coolant Change Question Wed Aug 28, 2013 1:24 pm

klamityboy

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While I am at it, is there anything else that should be refreshed? I am thinking gaskets on the rad filler cap, temp sensor, o-ring on thermostat cover, hose to overflow bottle. Anything else?

The bike is my daily ride so having it off the road for a few weeks is not an option. My boss has this unreasonable idea that I should be at work Monday to Friday! lol!

Also, as I have an RT, even moving the tank to the side to access the rad filler is a minor PITA as fairing bits get in the way. So I would like to do this once and then not again until next year. Smile

    

11Back to top Go down   Newbie Coolant Change Question Empty If the fan Wed Aug 28, 2013 5:14 pm

ibjman

ibjman
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If the fan cycles on & off normally when fully up to temperature, then the thermostat & the remainder of the system are thought to be working correctly. Suggest you find and correct the intermittent failure of the dash temperature gauge (probable broken wire or poor connection) before diving in & fixing stuff that may not be defective. (Hence the possibility of creating new problems where there were none before).
 Coolant changes are seldom necessary very often, Maybe every 5 years or 60,000 miles at the most.
Regards, Ibjman

    

12Back to top Go down   Newbie Coolant Change Question Empty Re: Newbie Coolant Change Question Wed Aug 28, 2013 5:50 pm

klamityboy

klamityboy
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The last time the coolant was changed was about 4.5 years ago so it is time. Two weeks ago the bike was warm when riding to an from work. Now the bike is extremely hot and the outside temperature has drop from 25 degree C to around 20 degrees C. The temp gauge appears to be working but the top part of the engine is noticeably very hot.

I have ordered a new thermostat, temp sensor, hose to expansion chamber and various gaskets for CDN $110. The parts should be in next week. Just need to get some coolant. Some people swear by the BMW stuff. Others say anything that is for aluminum blocks is good. Thoughts? Recommendations?

I will trace the gauge fault although electrical troubleshooting is definitely not my strong suit. To be fair, I have no experience with it. Hints on the basics would be greatly appreciated.

    

13Back to top Go down   Newbie Coolant Change Question Empty Re: Newbie Coolant Change Question Wed Aug 28, 2013 7:22 pm

92KK 84WW Olaf

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klamityboy wrote:While I am at it, is there anything else that should be refreshed? I am thinking gaskets on the rad filler cap, temp sensor, o-ring on thermostat cover, hose to overflow bottle. Anything else?

The bike is my daily ride so having it off the road for a few weeks is not an option. My boss has this unreasonable idea that I should be at work Monday to Friday! lol!

Also, as I have an RT, even moving the tank to the side to access the rad filler is a minor PITA as fairing bits get in the way. So I would like to do this once and then not again until next year. Smile
Have a look at my post no 5 above. I agree, its a PITA but I was able to do the LT in less than 15 minutes with the modification. Use butterfly nuts for the storage boxes....But on the LT I could lift the fuel tank clear without taking off the fairing bits. However you do need them off on the right hand side to remove the baffles to access the filler cap.


__________________________________________________
1992 K100LT 0193214 Bertha Blue 101,000 miles
1984 K100RT 0022575 Brutus Baja Red 578 bought 36,000 now 89,150 miles
1997 K1100LT 0188024 Wotan Mystic Red 689 58,645 now 106,950 miles Deceased.
1983 K100RS 0011157 Fricka 606 Alaska Blue 29,495 miles Damn K Pox Its a Bat outta Hell Now 58,200 miles. 
1996 K1100LT 0233004 Lohengrin Mystic Red 38,000 miles currently 51,800 miles.
1983 K100RS 0004449 Odette R100 colours 58,000 miles. Sprint fairing now 63,390 miles

Past:
1968 Yamaha 80 YG1
1971 Yamaha 125 YAS-1
1968 Honda 125 SS
1970 Honda CD 175
1973 Honda CB500-4
Honda CX 500
    

14Back to top Go down   Newbie Coolant Change Question Empty Re: Newbie Coolant Change Question Wed Aug 28, 2013 7:29 pm

klamityboy

klamityboy
Gold member
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92KK K100LT 193214 wrote:
klamityboy wrote:While I am at it, is there anything else that should be refreshed? I am thinking gaskets on the rad filler cap, temp sensor, o-ring on thermostat cover, hose to overflow bottle. Anything else?

The bike is my daily ride so having it off the road for a few weeks is not an option. My boss has this unreasonable idea that I should be at work Monday to Friday! lol!

Also, as I have an RT, even moving the tank to the side to access the rad filler is a minor PITA as fairing bits get in the way. So I would like to do this once and then not again until next year. Smile
Have a look at my post no 5 above. I agree, its a PITA but I was able to do the LT in less than 15 minutes with the modification. Use butterfly nuts for the storage boxes....But on the LT I could lift the fuel tank clear without taking off the fairing bits. However you do need them off on the right hand side to remove the baffles to access the filler cap.
I added about  2-3 cm extra when I replaced the fuel lines. Adding more than that seemed like it would cause issues. Hopefully I added enough that I can just move the tank aside. Once the parts come in, I guess I will find out!!!Shocked

    

15Back to top Go down   Newbie Coolant Change Question Empty Re: Newbie Coolant Change Question Tue Sep 03, 2013 6:58 am

92KK 84WW Olaf

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Done my coolant overflow pipe, new clips, flushed out and cleaned off inside the radiator cap. All seems fine but for one niggling question. I used orange coolant as in extended life......is this ok to use? All looks good....I can see the level very clearly in my shiny new clear plastic sight tube [thanks for the tube 88KE, it was cut to the exact length, millimetre perfect!!].


__________________________________________________
1992 K100LT 0193214 Bertha Blue 101,000 miles
1984 K100RT 0022575 Brutus Baja Red 578 bought 36,000 now 89,150 miles
1997 K1100LT 0188024 Wotan Mystic Red 689 58,645 now 106,950 miles Deceased.
1983 K100RS 0011157 Fricka 606 Alaska Blue 29,495 miles Damn K Pox Its a Bat outta Hell Now 58,200 miles. 
1996 K1100LT 0233004 Lohengrin Mystic Red 38,000 miles currently 51,800 miles.
1983 K100RS 0004449 Odette R100 colours 58,000 miles. Sprint fairing now 63,390 miles

Past:
1968 Yamaha 80 YG1
1971 Yamaha 125 YAS-1
1968 Honda 125 SS
1970 Honda CD 175
1973 Honda CB500-4
Honda CX 500
    

16Back to top Go down   Newbie Coolant Change Question Empty Re: Newbie Coolant Change Question Tue Sep 03, 2013 7:36 am

Rick G

Rick G
admin
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I wouldn't be advertising that you are using orange coolant there in the south maybe it would be better left for those in the six counties.


__________________________________________________
"Man sacrifices his health in order to make money.
Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health.
And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present or the future; he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived."   Dalai Lama


Bikes 1999 K1100 LT with a Big Block 1200
    

17Back to top Go down   Newbie Coolant Change Question Empty Re: Newbie Coolant Change Question Sat Sep 07, 2013 4:01 am

Rabidchiwawa007

Rabidchiwawa007
Platinum member
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You can also drain the system just by removing the big hose that connects to the water pump.  Make sure it's not pressurized though.  If it is, just be careful.

Regarding the heat issue, it's very very easy to flush the system a bit, and replace the thermostat.  You can find a thermostat at any auto parts store, as there are quite a few from cars that are compatible.  It's about a $5-10 USD purchase.

To flush the system: disconnect all radiator hoses from the radiator, and remove the water pump cover.  Turn a hose on full blast, and shoot water in to every possible opening, including the radiator.  You can also get a flushing solution for the next coolant fill (right after flushing).  Reconnect all the hoses, fill the system with the solution and water / anti-freeze (if in a cold area.. not needed if not, as you'll be flushing it again in a day or two).

Two days later: flush again, fill with coolant.

When I did this, lots of crystallized coolant came out.  I also put an 85 deg C thermostat in it as I live in San Diego where it gets in the 100s during summer.  Stock is 88 deg C.  I haven't gotten close to overheating since flushing and replacing my thermostat.


__________________________________________________
1968 BSA Lightning
1991 BMW K100RS 16v with K1100LT fairing
    

18Back to top Go down   Newbie Coolant Change Question Empty Re: Newbie Coolant Change Question Sat Sep 07, 2013 4:28 am

92KK 84WW Olaf

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RicK G wrote:I wouldn't be advertising that you are using orange coolant there in the south maybe it would be better left for those in the six counties.
Ha funny. Our friends in the six counties are the best we have and we wouldn't be without them. History is funny. I spent 12th July 1981 in Belfast in what was at the time a very hot political climate, in the comapny of an America backpacker who had been warned off Ireland. He was really openminded and we met some interesting people who wished July 12th was a family day out like Patricks Day down south where everyone went into festival mode and like it had been in very early years. It will happen again like that, where it is a family day out. There are always two sides to a story but it can be best when one can turn to a new page while respecting the old one.

Our 'Norn Iron' outing is one of our favourites of the year and if you took away 'orange' you would take away Dunlop tyres, Bushmills Whiskey, the Mourne Drive not to mention aeons of wonderful history.

My grandfathers family all came from there and it is one of the most scenic places.

One of our lads had an off up there last year and the hospitality was incredible, from minding his bike for a month, to offers of dinner from a family just sitting down to eat, to offers of a bed for a night or two. All from complete strangers and from Comberjohn. All of this was with no questions asked from anyone and at the same time there was no doubting where we had come from.

Our own Comberjohn is a great personality that we would not be without and his humour and wit is enjoyed by all of us.

If you come to visit, to skip the 'orange' is like going to see the Grand Canyon in the dark.

And so my orange coolant will be staying in. Might make some green with envy. Or white with shock. Others might go red at the thought, or white in the face bit hopefully not blue under the collar!!

I love this forum.


__________________________________________________
1992 K100LT 0193214 Bertha Blue 101,000 miles
1984 K100RT 0022575 Brutus Baja Red 578 bought 36,000 now 89,150 miles
1997 K1100LT 0188024 Wotan Mystic Red 689 58,645 now 106,950 miles Deceased.
1983 K100RS 0011157 Fricka 606 Alaska Blue 29,495 miles Damn K Pox Its a Bat outta Hell Now 58,200 miles. 
1996 K1100LT 0233004 Lohengrin Mystic Red 38,000 miles currently 51,800 miles.
1983 K100RS 0004449 Odette R100 colours 58,000 miles. Sprint fairing now 63,390 miles

Past:
1968 Yamaha 80 YG1
1971 Yamaha 125 YAS-1
1968 Honda 125 SS
1970 Honda CD 175
1973 Honda CB500-4
Honda CX 500
    

19Back to top Go down   Newbie Coolant Change Question Empty Re: Newbie Coolant Change Question Sat Sep 07, 2013 5:34 am

Crazy Frog

Crazy Frog
admin
admin
klamityboy wrote:Recently, I have experienced more than normal heat on short rides. 
Can you grill your toasts on the engine?
Last week end, "friends" were having fun with the heat generated by the K100 (Nice to have your toasts ready when you wake up):

Newbie Coolant Change Question Toast10

and...  sizing a sheep skin for my seat Smile
Newbie Coolant Change Question 20130910


__________________________________________________
Newbie Coolant Change Question Frog15Newbie Coolant Change Question Logo2101986 k75, 1985 K100rt, 1985 K100rt/EML GT2 sidecar, 1999 K1200lt/Hannigan Astro Sport sidecar.
    

20Back to top Go down   Newbie Coolant Change Question Empty Re: Newbie Coolant Change Question Sat Sep 07, 2013 9:00 am

Rick G

Rick G
admin
admin
92KK K100LT 193214 wrote:
RicK G wrote:I wouldn't be advertising that you are using orange coolant there in the south maybe it would be better left for those in the six counties.
Ha funny. Our friends in the six counties are the best we have and we wouldn't be without them. History is funny. I spent 12th July 1981 in Belfast in what was at the time a very hot political climate, in the comapny of an America backpacker who had been warned off Ireland. He was really openminded and we met some interesting people who wished July 12th was a family day out like Patricks Day down south where everyone went into festival mode and like it had been in very early years. It will happen again like that, where it is a family day out. There are always two sides to a story but it can be best when one can turn to a new page while respecting the old one.

Our 'Norn Iron' outing is one of our favourites of the year and if you took away 'orange' you would take away Dunlop tyres, Bushmills Whiskey, the Mourne Drive not to mention aeons of wonderful history.

My grandfathers family all came from there and it is one of the most scenic places.

One of our lads had an off up there last year and the hospitality was incredible, from minding his bike for a month, to offers of dinner from a family just sitting down to eat, to offers of a bed for a night or two. All from complete strangers and from Comberjohn. All of this was with no questions asked from anyone and at the same time there was no doubting where we had come from.

Our own Comberjohn is a great personality that we would not be without and his humour and wit is enjoyed by all of us.

If you come to visit, to skip the 'orange' is like going to see the Grand Canyon in the dark.

And so my orange coolant will be staying in. Might make some green with envy. Or white with shock. Others might go red at the thought, or white in the face bit hopefully not blue under the collar!!

I love this forum.

My father in law was a staunch republican Irish but not so blind that he couldn't see all 4 sides of the north- south problems. I realize that it isn't any where near as clear cut as many in the media would have you believe. 
He used to call the six counties the occupied territory.


__________________________________________________
"Man sacrifices his health in order to make money.
Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health.
And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present or the future; he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived."   Dalai Lama


Bikes 1999 K1100 LT with a Big Block 1200
    

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