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Topic : Coolant change
 Author 
Post  
 bikemanroger 
Set
Reg. Date : 23/05/2023
Posts : 8
Location :  United States
Posted : 13 Dec 2023 - 19:37   Post title : Coolant change
 
I recently did a coolant change on my 2013 Thunderbird 1600. The Triumph service manual calls for loosening the bottom hose from the radiator in order to drain the coolant. I took that to mean removal of the hose. Removal of the hose is all but impossible without removing the radiator. There is a metal stop on the hose connection to the engine that prevents hose removal. So, not wanting to remove the radiator, which you shouldn't have to do just to change the coolant, I loosened the hose clamp connecting the radiator to the hose and pushed a small screwdriver between the hose and the radiator connection and let the coolant drain that way. It took a while but I'm confident that I got all of the coolant out of the system. I ran a gallon of distilled water through the system to flush out any remaining coolant and replaced it with the Triumph recommended engine coolant. When I replaced the coolant it took the required amount. If anyone has a better way I would like very much to know what it is.

 Author 
Post  
 Leethal 
Zeus
Reg. Date : 24/01/2011
Posts : 6,407
Location :  Australia
Posted : 13 Dec 2023 - 21:46   Post title : Re: Coolant change (Re: bikemanroger)
 
Loosen the hose is the correct method. You can easily remove the radiator fasteners, move the radiator up and out at the bottom to help release the hose. Don't forget to bleed the system, there is a bleed bolt in the upper metal coolant pipe under the fuel tank. This should be removed during fill up to avoid air locks.

 
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 Author 
Post  
 bikemanroger 
Set
Reg. Date : 23/05/2023
Posts : 8
Location :  United States
Posted : 18 Dec 2023 - 22:56   Post title : Re: Coolant change (Re: Leethal)
 
I neglected to include that I did bleed the system when refilling with fresh coolant. Next time I undertake this job I will try releasing the radiator from the bottom hose.