Coolant change

[woodenman]

Hi,

The owners manual says that coolant changes require technical specialism/tools etc. and should be done by a dealer.

I'm a bit suspicious that this may be nonsense, as draining some fluid out and putting new stuff in can't be that hard, but it does mean that the owners manual has nothing on how to do this. Is it tough? Do I need anything unusual? And if not, where do I find the bit to drain from? (Topping up again is covered in the manual)

Thanks

[gn2]

Make sure you get the correct coolant....

[woodenman]

sure, but where am I meant to drain it from?

I'm assuming any PEG-based Al-engine suitable coolant will do

[gn2]

Never assume.
Use only what the service manual stipulates.

[dasshreddar]

Here is the drain plug #17... just change it like you would any other coolant change. It's easy.

[OriginalRocket]

Check to see if the engine block has a coolant "burb" plug (gets all the air out from the top end.

Also, not just any coolant will do. Honda coolant green or blue (I'd go blue and forget about it for 5+ years). Honda engines and most Asian engines do not like silicate coolant. It will destroy the water pump.

[Slickvic]

Check to see if the engine block has a coolant "burb" plug (gets all the air out from the top end.

Burb plug? Wouldn't you just remove cap (#3 in diagram) as it is probably the highest part of the coolant system?

[oldbiker]

I think the header tank under the seat is the highest point.

[OriginalRocket]

I do not have my scooter back yet from its tire change. The plug I am talking about is on the engine block. It removes air from the block itself, air pocket= hot spot = bad.

The "header tank" is also called a fluid overflow tank. It simply gives coolant a place to go once it expands due to heat. This tank does not deal with circulated coolant.

I'm not sure if the PCX has one, but a lot of liquid cooled engines do.

I'll be doing a coolant change once I get my scooter back. And a final drive oil change.

[woodenman]

Brilliant - cheers folks. One more thing I'm not going to need to bug the mechanic for!

[maddiedog]

It's ridiculously easy to change the coolant. It's only one page in the service manual, and is basically self-explanatory.

[Renovatio]

Hi!
What color is the coolant when you bought a new scooter? I have bright green. But the Honda dealer recommends 08CLAG016S0, this is blue coolant. Probably better drain the cooling system. Then fill in blue, and then drain and fill the blue again.

[OriginalRocket]

Honda green is their traditional life coolant.

Honda blue, also known as Type II is their extended life coolant. In the cars, they spec a change interval of 7 years or more.

I'll be adding Honda Blue into my PCX.

Whatever coolant you go with, make sure it is silicate free, or it will destroy the cooling system.

[OriginalRocket]

*UPDATE*

I Changed my 2011 Honda PCX 125cc scooter coolant and final drive oil on Saturday 6/30/2014

I don't have a service manual yet, its on order now. But I looked over the engine block and did not find a burp plug. I did use Honda Type II coolant (Honda Blue). I did a flush first with the Blue Coolant, then refilled. Started it up with the radiator cap off, no air bubbles came out. I started it up, and let it run for 10 minutes. Shut off, let cool for 15 and then took the cap off. Their was a bit of air pressure when I released the cap. Topped it off, filled the overflow and called it done.

I'll change it again in 2 years... With the same Jug of coolant. I could only get it local in a gallon size.

[Alibally]

Is the coolant pre mixed or did you make it 50/50 with water?

[logepoge1]

What kind of coolant does it take? My coolant reserve is below the lower mark after wreck

[maddiedog]

Any silicate-free premix should be fine. I've used Prestone in the past on other Hondas with no issues. The Honda Kool-Aide they'll sell you at the dealers is the best though.

[logepoge1]

Okay thanks. I used water but that is just too much water if it was already below low. I'll flush the system

[logepoge1]

Is it possible that from the wreck that coolant can leak like that? I believe the cap might have come off the reservoir. Cause nothing in that area was in impact. It just slid on side

[maddiedog]

The coolant reservoir at the top could have leaked. It's not outside the realm of possibility.