[taly]

Original owner didn't change the coolant.

Is there something else I should do in addition to draining and changing it myself?
Any need to flush the system?
What kind of coolant is best to use?
Is there one of those things that opens up when the coolant gets hot enough, which could/should be changed? [Thermostat; I just drew a blank there]

 

[InfernoST]

Do the coolant and the brake fluid. I used Prestone premix for the antifreeze (safe for aluminum radiators) and bell DOT-4 brake fluid for the brake lines.

 

[lloyd123]

Everything that's covered in the owner's manual is usually covered in the service manual but my 2013 owners manual lists two types of coolant while the service manual only lists one.

The owner's manual and service manual both list Suzuki LLC - Long Life Coolant - which is green and should be changed every two years.

The owner's manual also lists Suzuki Super Long Life Coolant which is blue and only has to be changed every four years. This is what came installed from the factory.

I don't see any recommendation for changing by mileage.

I bought a quart of Super LLC for under $10 delivered from partszilla.com to have on hand in case I need to top off during the next four years.

I'm sure there's an after market equivalent for the blue Super LLC coolant but I don't know what that would be.

 

[utter chaos]

I didn't change mine for 5 years. I replaced it with BMW coolant since that was all I had in the garage. Working fine for me so far. Seals, parts, hoses, gaskets and O-rings will all wear out over time. Inspect it often and do preventative maintenance when you see something wrong or the bike isn't running like it did when you first got it.

 

[mikeyMarine]

don't forget to bleed the system as per procedure or bad stuff will happen , see previous horror stories on overheating

 

[whiteknuckler]

As far as getting the air out of the cooling system after a coolant change

I used LeDude's way

After a coolant change and with the radiator cap off rock the bike is far as it will go left and right several times (two people helps a lot)

I did this and took the scoot out for a 45 minute ride and the temp stayed in the normal range (three bars)

 

[utter chaos]

Weird, I loosened up the bleed screw when the bike was at operating temperature and nothing came out. I even had the bike running. Hasn't overheated in the 180 miles driven since the change. Gauge doesn't even go over the half way mark. So I "assume" it is ok.

 

[v8eyedoc]

Weird, I loosened up the bleed screw when the bike was at operating temperature and nothing came out. I even had the bike running. Hasn't overheated in the 180 miles driven since the change. Gauge doesn't even go over the half way mark. So I "assume" it is ok.

"If it ain't broke................Don't fix it!!!!!!!!!" :lol: :thumbup: :thumbup:

 

[mikeyMarine]

Weird, I loosened up the bleed screw when the bike was at operating temperature and nothing came out. I even had the bike running. Hasn't overheated in the 180 miles driven since the change. Gauge doesn't even go over the half way mark. So I "assume" it is ok.

with the 650 and radiator cap thing I have no idea, but with the 400 I have a sneaking suspicion that it makes a difference if it was drained/filled hot or cold ie thermostat opened or closed, the height of the thermostat wouldn't change of course but fluid might be retained in the tubing , one thing for sure , if you get an air bubble in the thermostat lines it will take longer to open if at all

 

[29534]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gtg3GN4W3h8

 

[lloyd123]

The owner's manual and service manual both list Suzuki LLC - Long Life Coolant - which is green and should be changed every two years.

Some clarification here - I noticed that the service manual doesn't actually say Suzuki Long Life Coolant - it just lists a 50/50 mix of ethylene glycol anti-freeze and distilled water. But also, according to the service manual, it only has a service life of two years which is the same as the green colored Long Life Coolant listed in the owner's manual. IMHO it seems to be a no-brainer to use the blue Super LLC and cut your coolant changes in half to only every four years.

 

[taly]

Great replies, as usual. I'll be tackling this in about two weeks [Have to let a shoulder tendon heal]

How about flushing? Mich's video said to flush with water "if necessary". How will I know that it's necessary?
Should I do it anyway? I read a recommendation elsewhere to flush with vinegar followed by distilled water.
Should I order a radiator cap? The original is still in place.
How about the thermostat? Should I just change it while I have things apart?