adding coolant ?
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 11,217
Likes: 3,046
From: St.Louis Mo.
adding coolant ?
how often are you guys adding coolant to top off your bikes ? i keep adding some to bring it up to the full line and after riding just a 100 miles it's below the line alittle. i changed the coolant 400 miles ago and thought maybe it was a air trapped in the system, but now i'm not so sure. seems after 400 miles any air would be worked out but then. thanks !
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,191
Likes: 233
From: North East, MD
I had similar symptoms on mine. Coolant was seeping from the large hose attached to the filler neck. I never had enough to see coolant in the bottom of the lower but there was an orange stain around the hose where it joined the filler neck. since I replaced all the crimp type hose clamps with lined worm drive style clamps about 10K miles ago I haven't had to add coolant. I also had a very slight leak from the temp sensor on the left side radiator. I carefully tightened it a bit more and that stopped also.
Thread Starter
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 11,217
Likes: 3,046
From: St.Louis Mo.
i did bleed the system for quite some time while filling and shaking the bike, rode and topped off. i'll give it some more time and miles. i don't see any signs of leakage anywhere, but i'll keep watching it. thanks !
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 3,490
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From: USA
On my 14 FLHTK, I've changed the coolant twice and I've also had the water pump replaced once after it failed. Each time the coolant system was drained & refilled, it took several weeks and up to 1000 miles for the coolant level to stop dropping. IMO it can take a while for all the air pockets to bled out of the system. After filling and bleeding the system during a coolant change, I would usually see a drop of 3/8-1/2" in the coolant level during the first few weeks/1000 miles. After that the coolant level remained at a steady level. I never found any leaks. I just believe it takes time to purge the system of air.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,052
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From: Virginia Beach
On my 14 FLHTK, I've changed the coolant twice and I've also had the water pump replaced once after it failed. Each time the coolant system was drained & refilled, it took several weeks and up to 1000 miles for the coolant level to stop dropping. IMO it can take a while for all the air pockets to bled out of the system. After filling and bleeding the system during a coolant change, I would usually see a drop of 3/8-1/2" in the coolant level during the first few weeks/1000 miles. After that the coolant level remained at a steady level. I never found any leaks. I just believe it takes time to purge the system of air.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 3,490
Likes: 610
From: USA
I bought the gallon of HD coolant. I don't think it was offered in quarts at the time. Each time I changed the coolant I used 1 quart so I still have a half gallon left. One day I'll have to check the self life to see if it's still good.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 4,214
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From: Prior Lake, MN
I usually add coolant maybe once a year- and only a few ounces to top up to the fill line. I haven't replaced the coolant yet, but that is coming up pretty soon.
14GuineaPig- don't worry about your coolant's shelf life. I'm sure it could sit for a few years and still be okay. It's Peak Global Lifetime coolant, so if it lasts a "Lifetime" in an engine, I'd think it'd be equally if not longer lasting in the jug.
14GuineaPig- don't worry about your coolant's shelf life. I'm sure it could sit for a few years and still be okay. It's Peak Global Lifetime coolant, so if it lasts a "Lifetime" in an engine, I'd think it'd be equally if not longer lasting in the jug.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 286
Likes: 23
From: Ma
2016 CVO RGU.. Just did a 5500 mile ride from Boston to Red Lodge MT. and back.. Didn't use a drop of coolant. Have never added coolant. It did use 1/2 qt. of oil.. Running 85-90 MPH in 100 degree temps I can understand the oil consumption.