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Coolant (again, I know)

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ginllfixit
Nova Slayer



Joined: 24 Apr 2009
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PostPosted: 13:57 - 01 Apr 2010    Post subject: Coolant (again, I know) Reply with quote
Hi all,

My '02 Hornet 600 has been overheating slightly recently, and I remembered the guy I bought it from mentioned to keep an eye on the coolant levels.

I'm a complete novice when it comes to any kind of maintenance work on my bike, but would like to think I'd be able to top up the coolant.

I've had a search through the forum but every post deals with things that I don't know anything about, ideally I need an idiot's guide!

Is there any specific kind of coolant that I need to get? Does it just need to be topped-up, or flushed and replaced completely?

The only coolant take I'm aware of is under the seat - gotta get down on my hands and knees to look up under it. Is there another one?

Am I right in thinking that it goes in the radiator cap to the right of the bike, parallel to the fuel cap?

Apologies for the complete lack of knowledge, and thanks for any advice you have. Cheers!
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chris-red
Have you considered a TDM?



Joined: 21 Sep 2005
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PostPosted: 14:01 - 01 Apr 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote
Does the hornet have a coolent overflow bottle? should be under the seat off to ones side a clearish bottle containing blue liquid?


Don't open the rad cap after running the bike or hot coolant will go everywhere.
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ginllfixit
Nova Slayer



Joined: 24 Apr 2009
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PostPosted: 14:06 - 01 Apr 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote
chris-red wrote:
Does the hornet have a coolent overflow bottle? should be under the seat off to ones side a clearish bottle containing blue liquid?


I'm not sure, would that have come as standard? I don't think it does, but it might. (I know that's not much help!)

chris-red wrote:
Don't open the rad cap after running the bike or hot coolant will go everywhere.


Yeah, that's the only thing I managed to pick up so far, cheers!
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jay12329
Dr. Evil



Joined: 02 May 2003
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PostPosted: 14:14 - 01 Apr 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote
The hornet has an overflow bottle under the seat. If you look up from by the side of the wheel you will see it just by the shock.
It has low and high marks on it. Check that. if its low top it up under the seat.
When you say its over heating what is it doing? The hornet runs quite hot and the fan doesn't kick in until it is very hot.
HTH
J
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The Artist
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Joined: 06 Jan 2008
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PostPosted: 14:19 - 01 Apr 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote
Coolant can be bought in 2 forms. Pre mixed or just anti freeze.

Pre mixed you just pour in the rad till it is full.

Anti-freeze you mix 50:50 with water then it is effectively pre mixed and just pour that in. Always best to put a little more anti freeze than water in or if it only needs topping up a little just put put pure anti freeze in.
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ginllfixit
Nova Slayer



Joined: 24 Apr 2009
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PostPosted: 14:24 - 01 Apr 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote
jay12329 wrote:
The hornet has an overflow bottle under the seat. If you look up from by the side of the wheel you will see it just by the shock.
It has low and high marks on it. Check that. if its low top it up under the seat.
When you say its over heating what is it doing? The hornet runs quite hot and the fan doesn't kick in until it is very hot.
HTH
J


Cheers, I think that's what I've been checking. The level is slightly below the minimum line.

Do I top it up with any coolant or is there anything special I need to get? I was just going to go into Halfords on my way home…

I've just noticed it getting slightly hotter, slightly quicker on my normal commute. The temperature gauge seems to be over half much more often than it used to.

Is there a difference between radiator coolant and engine coolant?

Thanks for your help Thumbs Up
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The Artist
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Joined: 06 Jan 2008
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PostPosted: 14:28 - 01 Apr 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote
ginllfixit wrote:


Is there a difference between radiator coolant and engine coolant?

Thanks for your help Thumbs Up


No. Radiator coolant goes into the engine and back to the radiator. You can buy it from any petrol station, halfords etc. Just ask for anti freeze.
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jay12329
Dr. Evil



Joined: 02 May 2003
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PostPosted: 14:33 - 01 Apr 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote
Just grab a bottle of pre mixed anti-freeze. If your not sure, ask in halfords. You will only need little bit to bring it up to the middle point between low and high.
I thought I had a similar problem on my hornet. But it seams a small change in air temp effects the normal running temp quite a bit.
HTH
J
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ginllfixit
Nova Slayer



Joined: 24 Apr 2009
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PostPosted: 14:40 - 01 Apr 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote
allymoss wrote:

No. Radiator coolant goes into the engine and back to the radiator. You can buy it from any petrol station, halfords etc. Just ask for anti freeze.


Thanks! Will do.

jay12329 wrote:

Just grab a bottle of pre mixed anti-freeze. If your not sure, ask in halfords. You will only need little bit to bring it up to the middle point between low and high.
I thought I had a similar problem on my hornet. But it seams a small change in air temp effects the normal running temp quite a bit.
HTH
J


Excellent, I'll nip in on my way home and get some. I suspected that the air temperature increase might've affected it, but yesterday it was bloody freezing again and didn't seem to make any difference.

Thanks again.
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Old Thread Alert!

The last post was made 15 years, 343 days ago. Instead of replying here, would creating a new thread be more useful?
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