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Coolant change

Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2014 7:12 am
by 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

Re: Coolant change

Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2014 3:44 pm
by gn2
Make sure you get the correct coolant....

Re: Coolant change

Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2014 10:26 am
by woodenman
sure, but where am I meant to drain it from?

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

Re: Coolant change

Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2014 11:20 am
by gn2
Never assume.
Use only what the service manual stipulates.

Re: Coolant change

Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2014 3:57 pm
by dasshreddar
Here is the drain plug #17... just change it like you would any other coolant change. It's easy. ;)

Re: Coolant change

Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2014 6:43 pm
by 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.

Re: Coolant change

Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2014 9:24 am
by Slickvic
OriginalRocket wrote: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?

Re: Coolant change

Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2014 12:28 pm
by oldbiker
I think the header tank under the seat is the highest point.

Re: Coolant change

Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2014 11:39 am
by 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.

Re: Coolant change

Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2014 5:39 pm
by woodenman
Brilliant - cheers folks. One more thing I'm not going to need to bug the mechanic for!

Re: Coolant change

Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2014 10:48 am
by maddiedog
It's ridiculously easy to change the coolant. It's only one page in the service manual, and is basically self-explanatory. :)

Re: Coolant change

Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2014 5:26 pm
by 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.

Re: Coolant change

Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2014 1:38 pm
by 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.

Re: Coolant change

Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2014 10:53 am
by 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.

Re: Coolant change

Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2014 12:48 pm
by Alibally
Is the coolant pre mixed or did you make it 50/50 with water?

Re: Coolant change

Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2014 12:18 am
by logepoge1
What kind of coolant does it take? My coolant reserve is below the lower mark after wreck

Re: Coolant change

Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2014 10:50 pm
by 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.

Re: Coolant change

Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2014 10:57 pm
by logepoge1
Okay thanks. I used water but that is just too much water if it was already below low. I'll flush the system

Re: Coolant change

Posted: Sun Jul 06, 2014 9:55 am
by 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

Re: Coolant change

Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2014 4:19 pm
by maddiedog
The coolant reservoir at the top could have leaked. It's not outside the realm of possibility. :)