Coolant level dropping...
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,867
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From: People's Republic of Boulder Colorado
Coolant level dropping...
I've got 1400 miles on my '15 Limited now and I've been seeing a very slow, yet constant, drop in the coolant level as the miles add up.
Now it's down about 5/16 to 3/8 of an inch from the full line. I've never added any coolant and can't find any leaks. The bike's been conservatively ridden at all times with trips up into the mountains and some riding in 100*+ temps with no overheating, pinging, detonation, or any other issues.
just for the heck of it, I called a dealership "tech" and he said that "they sometimes consume coolant" as if it's totally normal, so no help from the brain-dead section.
Anybody else notice this on their bikes and is it something I should be concerned about (yet)? I've seen the horror story threads about disappearing coolant, but it's usually a lot faster loss than I'm seeing. It seems like I remember seeing a couple of posts that said that their bikes used a little coolant at first, but that it eventually stopped.
Also, is there a source for smaller containers of H-D brand coolant for topping up the bottle? $22.00/gal. from a stealer seems a little pricy to get the ounce or so that I actually need.
Otherwise, the bike runs and performs perfectly, other than a one-time glitch with the clutch, which flushing and bleeding with fresh fluid seems to have fixed.
Any and all advice and info is VERY much appreciated and welcome!
Now it's down about 5/16 to 3/8 of an inch from the full line. I've never added any coolant and can't find any leaks. The bike's been conservatively ridden at all times with trips up into the mountains and some riding in 100*+ temps with no overheating, pinging, detonation, or any other issues.
just for the heck of it, I called a dealership "tech" and he said that "they sometimes consume coolant" as if it's totally normal, so no help from the brain-dead section.
Anybody else notice this on their bikes and is it something I should be concerned about (yet)? I've seen the horror story threads about disappearing coolant, but it's usually a lot faster loss than I'm seeing. It seems like I remember seeing a couple of posts that said that their bikes used a little coolant at first, but that it eventually stopped.
Also, is there a source for smaller containers of H-D brand coolant for topping up the bottle? $22.00/gal. from a stealer seems a little pricy to get the ounce or so that I actually need.
Otherwise, the bike runs and performs perfectly, other than a one-time glitch with the clutch, which flushing and bleeding with fresh fluid seems to have fixed.
Any and all advice and info is VERY much appreciated and welcome!
When I first got my '14 Limited, the coolant dropped off just like yours. I didn't have any leaks. I just took it to the dealer and let them top it off. No need to buy any. The coolant system is a real pain to get fully purged of air, so unless you have a leak it probably just purged a little bit of air.
In addition, the same thing happened after my 30K coolant flush & fill. My coolant bottle went completely empty while on a 5500 mile trip for the same thing. I just rode it until I got home and had no issues (at least 2K miles with an empty bottle, but the fans were kicking on as expected so I knew I had coolant). Dealership topped it off after I got home and it has been good since then. Next time I will have the coolant flush done at lease 5k miles before a long trip to give it a chance to finish purging the air.
In addition, the same thing happened after my 30K coolant flush & fill. My coolant bottle went completely empty while on a 5500 mile trip for the same thing. I just rode it until I got home and had no issues (at least 2K miles with an empty bottle, but the fans were kicking on as expected so I knew I had coolant). Dealership topped it off after I got home and it has been good since then. Next time I will have the coolant flush done at lease 5k miles before a long trip to give it a chance to finish purging the air.
Last edited by MilesOfTexas; Aug 3, 2015 at 08:03 AM.
Thread Starter
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,867
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From: People's Republic of Boulder Colorado
Thanks for the help and info!
When I first got my '14 Limited, the coolant dropped off just like yours. I didn't have any leaks. I just took it to the dealer and let them top it off. No need to buy any. The coolant system is a real pain to get fully purged of air, so unless you have a leak it probably just purged a little bit of air.
In addition, the same thing happened after my 30K coolant flush & fill. My coolant bottle went completely empty while on a 5500 mile trip for the same thing. I just rode it until I got home and had no issues (at least 2K miles with an empty bottle, but the fans were kicking on as expected so I knew I had coolant). Dealership topped it off after I got home and it has been good since then. Next time I will have the coolant flush done at lease 5k miles before a long trip to give it a chance to finish purging the air.
In addition, the same thing happened after my 30K coolant flush & fill. My coolant bottle went completely empty while on a 5500 mile trip for the same thing. I just rode it until I got home and had no issues (at least 2K miles with an empty bottle, but the fans were kicking on as expected so I knew I had coolant). Dealership topped it off after I got home and it has been good since then. Next time I will have the coolant flush done at lease 5k miles before a long trip to give it a chance to finish purging the air.
Ride safe and be well,
JP
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 2,198
Likes: 282
From: Long Island NY
Mine dropped a bit in the beginning too, I now have almost 10K miles and no more dropping for at least the last year. I used to carry around around a quart container of coolant, got rid of that a long time ago. And I believe PEAK makes the coolant for Harley, you can get a gallon of their's for around $12. You have to buy a certain one, don't remember which but do a search, I know there's been a few threads on the subject. Good luck and safe riding!
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 4,214
Likes: 661
From: Prior Lake, MN
Peak Global Lifetime coolant is what you want. I think I've had to add a couple ounces of coolant to my limited last season, I started this season topped up and I just checked yesterday after my ride and it's still holding at the same level after several thousand miles of riding. If you want, you can manually turn on your water pump and let it run for a while, that may help burp out any air that might still be in there.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,859
Likes: 2,507
From: Lake Orion, MI
Interesting - mine also dropped after the dealer did the initial recall for the neck.
I took it back in, they found no leaks and topped it off. Has not been dropping since.
Maybe the dealers will learn that tis is normal after any work is performed, etc -and top if off after riding for a short time. In my case, they spent a lot of time looking for a leak - when this practice is somewhat normal.
I took it back in, they found no leaks and topped it off. Has not been dropping since.
Maybe the dealers will learn that tis is normal after any work is performed, etc -and top if off after riding for a short time. In my case, they spent a lot of time looking for a leak - when this practice is somewhat normal.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,893
Likes: 552
From: NH
2015 LTD...coolant down about 1/4" after about 2.5k miles and holding steady, mileage at 4.7k miles...I didn't want to buy the gallon of coolant either...will just have the dealer top off at my "included" 5k service...
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Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 121
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From: magnolia texas
I Have 14 Limited CVO. Did the same thing about 1500 mikes. Took a whopping 1-1/2 oz. to fill up. Got 6k now no more loss.
I think they just need to fart when new.
I think they just need to fart when new.
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Thread Starter
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: People's Republic of Boulder Colorado
Wanted to send out a big thank you to all the folks who took the time to post their replies and experiences and assuage my fears about this.
I was hoping that it was just a little air working its way out, but I was a little paranoid after seeing some of the issues people have had with coolant loss.
Thanks again, and y'all ride safe!
JP
I was hoping that it was just a little air working its way out, but I was a little paranoid after seeing some of the issues people have had with coolant loss.
Thanks again, and y'all ride safe!
JP