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flushing cooling system out

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stinkwheel
Bovine Proctologist



Joined: 12 Jul 2004
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PostPosted: 23:51 - 18 Jun 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote

Water, from a hosepipe.

Park the bike near a drain. Leave the drain plug(s) out. Put the hose in the top, turn it on at a steady trickle, go have a cup of tea.
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I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.
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stinkwheel
Bovine Proctologist



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PostPosted: 00:53 - 19 Jun 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote

I suppose the two questions you need to ask yourself are:

1) Does something make you thing your cooling system is operating below optimum? Does it actually need to be flushed out at all?

2) What exactly is it you are trying to flush out? In an aluminium engine which has had a modern, corrosion inhibiting coolant in it, I'd have said there is somewhere between little and nothing to flush out of there. At worst the last vestiges of the old coolant.

I've never found significant deposits of anything much in the cooling system on a modern bike engine. Even if you go into the waterpump/thermostat chamber where sludge and grot would collect.

On a cast iron diesel engine, yes, you can get all sorts of rusty yuck in there with high mileages (like 100k +).

If you'd had a leaky mechanical seal in the waterpump or a blowing head gasket, there could be oil contamination and possibly mayonaise in there that would probably be better rinsed out.

Collect the old coolant in a bucket, see if there is any sludge/detritus in it. If there is, maybe worth giving it a flush out. If there isn't, why bother?
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.
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Serendipity
World Chat Champion



Joined: 07 Jun 2006
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PostPosted: 09:47 - 19 Jun 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote

I had a seal fail in the oil cooler of my CBR600 that dumped a load of oil into the cooling system. The CBR600F oil cooler lives in a little water jacket at the front of the motor.

After I replaced the seal I flushed the system with absurd amounts of fresh water. I’d already had the radiator off and flushed that separately, but once that was refitted I ran loads of water through from a hose pipe. Once that was all running clear I went through a process of filling the system with fresh water and warming the engine to running temp, then draining and repeating. I spent an entire afternoon filling, warming and draining steaming hot water.

Sort of like a very expensive kettle. Smile
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Pete.
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PostPosted: 10:08 - 19 Jun 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote

You should have mixed up a strong mix of hot water and detergent (fairy liquid) and put that in, then run the bike for a few seconds to break down the oil emulsion. Would only have needed one fresh-water flush then.
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Serendipity
World Chat Champion



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PostPosted: 10:58 - 19 Jun 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote

That too. Smile

Yes I did run a cocktail of Fairy through, hence the excessive rinsing. Dunno about you, but I'd rather not leave highly corrosive substances in the cooling system.
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Pete.
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PostPosted: 11:14 - 19 Jun 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote

Like tap water you mean? Very Happy
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ms51ves3
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PostPosted: 11:23 - 19 Jun 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote

Pete. wrote:
Like tap water you mean? Very Happy


Does it not depend where you live? My tap water is bottle standard Wink
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Kickstart
The Oracle



Joined: 04 Feb 2002
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PostPosted: 12:42 - 19 Jun 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi

To flush a radiator I tend to disconnect the pipes from it to the engine, and connect a hose pipe the blast it through (normally in reverse of the normal direction first).

All the best

Keith
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puremagic72
Brolly Dolly



Joined: 15 Nov 2005
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PostPosted: 18:18 - 19 Jun 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote

50% white vinegar and 50% distilled water, run your bike for a few minutes with it in, then empty, and flush it all out with a hose for a while, then refill with coolant!

Best way to get any crap out.

Baz. Thumbs Up
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