Coolant Levels - How ofter is a top-up required?

[groundeffect]

Coolant Levels - How ofter is a top-up required?


Hey there guys/gals!

WARNING: Newbie question alert

How often should we, or are we required to topup the coolant level in our Spyders (GS/RS)?


In general, should we expect for coolant levels drop over time with use?


How frequent is too frequent when needing a top-up the coolant level? How many kilometers before a top-up, approximately, any ideas?



Thank you in advance for any replies on this thread!

Cheers.

 

[RShrimp]

Coolant is mostly water so some evaporation from the bottle (not the sealed system) is to be expected.
Less in humid Florida and more in dry Arizona.
It sould not, however be a once a week thing!

 

[aka1004]

i had my cracked reservoir replaced last june and have not topped off since. it's still between max and fill line.

 

[groundeffect]

Coolant is mostly water so some evaporation from the bottle (not the sealed system) is to be expected.
Less in humid Florida and more in dry Arizona.
It sould not, however be a once a week thing!

Thanks for your reply on this. I have 2500km (1600miles) on my Spyder now and in the bottle, the coolant level has dropped from right ON the max line to about 1/2inch to at most 3/4inch below that max line. I'm still within spec and a good ways from the MIN mark, but, since this is my first ever liquid cooled motorcycle, I'm still learning about coolant systems and their evaporation rate with use. Thus the question.




Do you think the line dropping a little over 1/2inch in 2500km (1600miles) is normal?


Again, I have not found any pools of greenish-blue sweet tasting liquid under my Spyder, thankfully, and on a brief look, I can't see any leaks or spillage.

Appreciate your reply and others' replies, please.

thanks!

 

[Firefly]

I've never had to touch any of my levels in 15,000 miles.....:thumbup:

 

[groundeffect]

I've never had to touch any of my levels in 15,000 miles.....:thumbup:

You've never had to top-up your coolant levels, in 15,000miles.... Hmm..... I'm wondering if there is anything wrong with my coolant system, then?


Anyone else - how often, how many miles before you have to (if you have to) top up your coolant? Have you seen it drop with time and use?

thanks

 

[Firefly]

You've never had to top-up your coolant levels, in 15,000miles.... Hmm..... I'm wondering if there is anything wrong with my coolant system, then?


Anyone else - how often, how many miles before you have to (if you have to) top up your coolant? Have you seen it drop with time and use?

thanks

Dealer probably topped it off at my service appointments...... I've just never noticed it varying much to worry about it.

 

[groundeffect]

Dealer probably topped it off at my service appointments...... I've just never noticed it varying much to worry about it.

Thanks for your note. If you have a good dealer, I can see that, neat.





Do you other guys think that 1/2inch drop in level in the coolant bottle is normal after 2500km (1600miles). I'm still within spec, and at this rate, I will continue to be in spec for at least another 2500km, for sure.
thoughts / comments would be greatly appreciated on this topic.

thanks everyone!

 

[NancysToy]

You should not have appreciable losses from your cooling system in this short of time and in your cool climate. See your dealer.....and look for tiny leaks and drips.

 

[happyspyder2039]

Coolant Levels - How ofter is a top-up required?


Hey there guys/gals!

WARNING: Newbie question alert

How often should we, or are we required to topup the coolant level in our Spyders (GS/RS)?


In general, should we expect for coolant levels drop over time with use?


How frequent is too frequent when needing a top-up the coolant level? How many kilometers before a top-up, approximately, any ideas?



Thank you in advance for any replies on this thread!

Cheers.

My RS had the same thing happen as the engine breakin. As it turns out i had a small leak only during a certian tempature range on the right hand side. the main hose clamp on the waterpump has needed to be tightened a couple times. which was noticeable only when the spyder was totally cold.thers was a small green between the hose meets pump. I have consider taking the hose off and replaceing with a bigger clamp and some rtv silicone sealent. Just be careful if u do add some fluid. as the tank may also look low when cold but supposeidly when the spyder warmsup can add fluid back into tank from the radiator. atleast thats what my dealer told me.

 

[brutus450]

could also be that since it was new, all the trapped air has now worked itself out and dropped the level. Not sure if it would be a half inch but it will drop some from brand new. Thats been my experience with ATVs.

Mark the spot - its still in range,,,,,,,,, and check it once in a while to see if its dropping.

check your oil and make sure its not milky.

 

[groundeffect]

Hey guys, THANKS for the replies, everyone.

UPDATE: I PULLED THE PANELS:
-->On closer inspection I measured and found the level had indeed dropped over 0km to 2500km. However, not by as much what I initially expected. Instead of my eying-estimated guess of 1/2-3/4 of an inch change in level, it actually - (MEASURED THIS TIME WITH RULER) is 0.29 inches about 75cm, - So 1/4 of an inch basically.

I didn't find any visible drips, drops or leaks or stains from dried drips anywhere (throughout the hoses or near the clamps). If there is a hole in the system it is very tiny. My cap is on tight it seems and locked in at 5'olock to the front of the Spyder.

I will be chatting with the dealer today or Monday to get their thoughts.





Brutus:
I check my oil often, at least once a week I'll take a quick peek. The oil is not milky, but thanks for the idea.

Interesting thought on it dropping some after brand new. I'll see what the dealer says.



Thanks everyone!

 

[NancysToy]

Just keep an eye on it. As was said, it could have just burped" out the air to drop that small amount. BTW, you are the first I ever knew that measure his coolant level to that precision. If it continues to drop, check for leaks or report it to the dealer.

 

[groundeffect]

Just keep an eye on it. As was said, it could have just burped" out the air to drop that small amount. BTW, you are the first I ever knew that measure his coolant level to that precision. If it continues to drop, check for leaks or report it to the dealer.

I really appreciate the comments and expertise you've contributed, thank you, guys.:thumbup:.

I dropped by my dealer today (Saturday), however their service department is closed until Monday. So, I will drop by Monday / Tuesday to talk with the Spyder tech mechanic about this and my questions.


While I was there today, I talked with a sales guy who did a good bit of riding in a previous life. I explained the situation and he also provided the idea that it could have 'burped'. He explained a little behind that theory and that could be the case.

In the mean time, I'll continue to monitor things and I'll get to the dealer and talk with the tech about it, just to be safe.

I did another 300km the past two days and it has remained the same since my 1/4 measurement and I do not have any drops or leaks that are visible (ie: nothing on garage floor and nothing visible under the panels while hot, or during cooling and when cold).

Just keep an eye on it. As was said, it could have just burped" out the air to drop that small amount. BTW, you are the first I ever knew that measure his coolant level to that precision. If it continues to drop, check for leaks or report it to the dealer.

Scotty - thank you for your comments... pps: There is a sign over my head that says newbie .

Thanks again everyone.

 

[SPYDERGUY1]

coolant levels

5500 km on mine sm5 08, during the season beginning , oil change , check over etc, added a little coolant. kind of a waste of time, $ 12.00 for a litre and hardly used a dribble , but is up to snuff now, and will keep an eye on it. No leaks or drips....

 

[boborgera]

11 Thousand miles two summers haven't added a drop,
It stays between Max and Min I'm happy.

 

[groundeffect]

Thanks for the comments guys.

11 Thousand miles two summers haven't added a drop,
It stays between Max and Min I'm happy.

My levels are between Max and Min, also, I am still within spec, but dropped 1/4inch from factory from 0-2500km. Currently the level is maintained at the current level, with 300km on it and the level has not changed, but I'll continue to monitor it of course, as usual as per the manual.

5500 km on mine sm5 08, during the season beginning , oil change , check over etc, added a little coolant. kind of a waste of time, $ 12.00 for a litre and hardly used a dribble , but is up to snuff now, and will keep an eye on it. No leaks or drips....

I have not found any leaks after pulling the panels and no drips or drops on the floor.

From what I can gather, it is acceptable and normal for some coolant systems to 'burp' on a new vehicle with our types of coolant systems. However, note that the 'burp' should only drop the level a small amount (ie: 1/4inch for example, like in my case), and the drop should still land you within spec over a short period of time.


thanks for contributing, everyone.

 

[BajaRon]

I've got 15,000 miles on my Spyder and have never had to top off the coolant. After the inital run which may burp some trapped air a correctly operating system should not need any more coolant.

I would top it off and then check it often (making sure it is at operating temperature). You have to give the coolant time to heat up and expand to get an accurate reading. If you are still losing coolant you need to get that checked.

If it is being lost externally you should be able to smell it. If it is being lost internally then you probably won't smell it. Either way that needs to be corrected.

 

[groundeffect]

I've got 15,000 miles on my Spyder and have never had to top off the coolant. After the inital run which may burp some trapped air a correctly operating system should not need any more coolant.

I would top it off and then check it often (making sure it is at operating temperature). You have to give the coolant time to heat up and expand to get an accurate reading. If you are still losing coolant you need to get that checked.

If it is being lost externally you should be able to smell it. If it is being lost internally then you probably won't smell it. Either way that needs to be corrected.

Thanks for your comments on this, Bajaron, and everyone.

I talked with my dealer today, specifically the tech. A good guy knows his way around the Spyder and ski-doos and BRP quads, etc...

He had a look at the reservoir level and I mentioned how it dropped 1/4 inch over the span of 2500km. He said it is highly likely that if I didn't see any pools under my Spyder, checked the clamps and cap on the reservoir bottle, it was just a burp and some will burn off over time with normal use anyway.


I then explained the situation a little more and after talking with him and considering I have not seen any drips or pools of smelt anything sweet and seen no signs of leaks under the panels, we're both confident that things are normal.

I did pick up the BRP recommend pre-mix 1L coolant(P/N 219 700 362). I will top up the tank to near max and closely monitor.

If I see any changes in level or if I have to top off often, I'll report back.



Thanks again, everyone for helping out, offering tips, advice and direction on this.
Cheers.

 

[boborgera]

Thanks for your comments on this, Bajaron, and everyone.

I talked with my dealer today, specifically the tech. A good guy knows his way around the Spyder and ski-doos and BRP quads, etc...

He had a look at the reservoir level and I mentioned how it dropped 1/4 inch over the span of 2500km. He said it is highly likely that if I didn't see any pools under my Spyder, checked the clamps and cap on the reservoir bottle, it was just a burp and some will burn off over time with normal use anyway.


I then explained the situation a little more and after talking with him and considering I have not seen any drips or pools of smelt anything sweet and seen no signs of leaks under the panels, we're both confident that things are normal.

I did pick up the BRP recommend pre-mix 1L coolant(P/N 219 700 362). I will top up the tank to near max and closely monitor.

If I see any changes in level or if I have to top off often, I'll report back.



Thanks again, everyone for helping out, offering tips, advice and direction on this.
Cheers.

Just remember any higher than Max and sometimes right at the Max line, The extra will over flow when hot.