Coolant replacement.

Discussion in '8th Generation 2014-Present' started by chutta, Jul 21, 2023.

  1. chutta

    chutta New Member

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    Completed my coolant replacement project this morning along with oil/filter while I was in there.
    Broke job down to disassembly last night, completion today. Glad I did it myself. Can't imagine what it would have cost at the dealership. Even with their expertise, how many techs have torn down VFR 8 gens?
    Waiting on new Roadsmart for the front, the Sportmax only delivering apx 3300 miles and the middle is pretty thin.
     


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  2. squirrelman

    squirrelman Member

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    be sure to recheck coolant level under the rad cap after your first ride [cold engine] and top up as necessary.
     


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  3. chutta

    chutta New Member

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    tearing off both cowlings again? It was full after 3+ minutes of idling and "burbing the air bubbles out
     


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  4. squirrelman

    squirrelman Member

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    sometimes im over-cautious, yes o_O
     


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  5. Grum

    Grum New Member

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    Why go to the trouble of pulling off the fairings again, no need to?

    Just keep an eye on the Coolant Reserve Tank quantity under the seat and make sure this is topped up. The radiator will draw what it needs from the Reserve Tank and then settle down to a consistent level.
    Keep a close eye on the level of the Reserve Tank for the next few rides then all should be OK.

    Just curious - What coolant did you use for your 8gen.?
     
    Last edited: Jul 22, 2023


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  6. 34468 Randy

    34468 Randy Secret Insider

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    [QUOTE="Grum, post: 643344, member: 38848

    Just curious - What coolant did you use for your 8gen.?[/QUOTE] A little tid bit I learned. If you stick with OEM, you can't be wrong. But OEM Honda Motorcycle coolant is expensive. A friend of mine who works for a Honda Car dealership, and used to work at the motorcycle dealership, told me that both coolants are the exact same product, with different labels. And the stuff you buy for the car is far cheaper than for the motorcycle.
     


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  7. Vulcanator

    Vulcanator New Member

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    A little tid bit I learned. If you stick with OEM, you can't be wrong. But OEM Honda Motorcycle coolant is expensive. A friend of mine who works for a Honda Car dealership, and used to work at the motorcycle dealership, told me that both coolants are the exact same product, with different labels. And the stuff you buy for the car is far cheaper than for the motorcycle.[/QUOTE]

    I buy the Type 2 car coolant, it's specs are pretty much identical and I've never had any issues.
     


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  8. Vulcanator

    Vulcanator New Member

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    Personally, I'd take the bike out for a short ride sans fairing, then check it. Before my recent road trip I took off the lower and right side fairings only to check my coolant level under the rad cap.
     


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  9. squirrelman

    squirrelman Member

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    ^^ checking under the rad cap rather than the overflow bottle is better cuz there are a couple of reasons why the level in overflow might not be a correct example of coolant level.

    [crack in line from rad to bottle or kink in line]
     


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  10. Grum

    Grum New Member

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    Yeah OK I guess anything is possible, but we are talking about an 8gen, a fairly recent model, unless it's an absolute bastard case of a bike there shouldn't be any issue with the reserve tank and its function. Simply topping up the reserve tank and keeping an eye on it over a few rides is really all he needs to do.
    With my four vfr's I've owned I've only ever needed to access the radiator cap for coolant flush and fill, and as the Service Manual states coolant top up is done via the reserve tank, unless of course if you have cooling problems or suspect a faulty radiator cap. Same goes for all modern day cars.
     

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    Last edited: Jul 22, 2023


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