Coolant Question

[donaldcc]

  I changed coolant ('97 Tourer, almost 19K) yesterday.  Routine, no problems with overheating. I emptied on lift so vertical position and drained every last drop.  Reserve tank off and emptied completely.  Replaced with Pro Honda HP 50/50 mix.

   Honda manual lists radiator and engine capacity at 3.75 liters/3.9 qt and reserve tank as 1 liter/1.1 qt. (so 5 qts.) Reserve tank took about 350 - 400 ml up to upper level mark and radiator took almost 3 qts (~2.8 liters).  I "burped" radiator by running a few minutes (burped a couple oz onto garage floor and splashed some on radiator etc. so washed bike), then rode around for 30 miles and came back to let it cool.  No overheating with infrared thermometer and I don't think fan even came on (fan normally cycles on properly in heat).

   This morning, no leaks, and added another 100-150 ml to reserve to upper mark and about 10-15 ml to radiator to fill it. 
 
   So my question is - - Why do I still have about 1.5 qt/liter of coolant left from the 5 qts. I got to do the coolant change?  ???

[BigMac (SoCal)]

As you stated it holds only 3.9 qts and you have 5 qts. I'm afraid I don't understand your question? I believe that includes the resevore as well. Also you don't fill it up all the way to have room for any overflow in case it over heats.

Dave

[9Ball]

Welcome to the club...

Having changed my coolant at least 5 times now, it has never taken more than about 3 1/2 quarts to refill, including the reserve bottle.

The capacity in the shop manual must be based on a complete drain, as in disassembly of the engine.  I think the normal drain and fill process always leaves about 1/2 quart residual that can't be drained, even with the bike vertical or leaned to the right.

You did good....and will have no problems.

[Hoser]

Welcome to the club...

Having changed my coolant at least 5 times now, it has never taken more than about 3 1/2 quarts to refill, including the reserve bottle.

The capacity in the shop manual must be based on a complete drain, as in disassembly of the engine.  I think the normal drain and fill process always leaves about 1/2 quart residual that can't be drained, even with the bike vertical or leaned to the right.

You did good....and will have no problems.

except that you have too much in the overflow tank.  hoser

[9Ball]

didn't catch that.....should take care of itself, right?

[donaldcc]

Welcome to the club...

Having changed my coolant at least 5 times now, it has never taken more than about 3 1/2 quarts to refill, including the reserve bottle.

The capacity in the shop manual must be based on a complete drain, as in disassembly of the engine.  I think the normal drain and fill process always leaves about 1/2 quart residual that can't be drained, even with the bike vertical or leaned to the right.

You did good....and will have no problems.

except that you have too much in the overflow tank.  hoser

    i checked out reserve coolant tank after taking a couple of rides and it was OK, just below the upper level mark.  That mark is only a little over 1/2 way up the tank, so it seems like there is plenty of room for extra coolant that may go up from radiator.

[Trynt]

Welcome to the club...

Having changed my coolant at least 5 times now, it has never taken more than about 3 1/2 quarts to refill, including the reserve bottle.

The capacity in the shop manual must be based on a complete drain, as in disassembly of the engine.  I think the normal drain and fill process always leaves about 1/2 quart residual that can't be drained, even with the bike vertical or leaned to the right.

You did good....and will have no problems.

+1