K11 Owners Group

grant93 · Posted: Sat Apr 27, 2013 11:06 pm Post subject: Coolant Change

Gidday,

Today a looked into changing the coolant on my bike for the first time, I looked about on the internet, read up my clymers manual and then poked about on the bike.

In the manual it shows only a K100 with a picture of a the small drain hole on the pump, I then went to the supplementary pages for the K1100 update at the rear of the manual and no difference was mentioned but "do this do that" etc and there was no mention that the K1100 does not have a drainage screw like the K100 that I could see? well I could not see one on my bike? so I just undone the lower radiator hose instead and let it pour out.

Is this the only way to drain it or is there a drainage screw on a K1100?

I then removed the overflow tank and completed cleaned it out as there was a dirty scum smeared on the inside, probably never had good clean out before in it life time I would say.

Anyway all went well, new green coolant is back in it and thats another thing ticked off the list..
_________________
Cheers Grant

1994 K1100RS
1981 R100RS
1978 R100RS
1928 Chevrolet tourer

www.montythe1928chevrolet.blogspot.com.au

Number 6 · Posted: Sun Apr 28, 2013 1:51 am Post subject:

The drain is theoretically the temperature sensor on the pump, but it is much easier (and safer, you may break the sensor) to simply pull the hose that goes to the pump.
_________________
I am not a number, I am a free man.

94 K1100LT

grant93 · Posted: Sun Apr 28, 2013 2:25 am Post subject:

Gidday,

Yep I thought so...

Is very slow to refill the radiator, just have to dribble it in? is this a normal procedure?

Cheers Grant
_________________
Cheers Grant

1994 K1100RS
1981 R100RS
1978 R100RS
1928 Chevrolet tourer

www.montythe1928chevrolet.blogspot.com.au

Number 6 · Posted: Sun Apr 28, 2013 5:41 am Post subject:

robleyd · Posted: Sun Apr 28, 2013 7:26 am Post subject:

I usually disconnect the top radiator hose on the left side, fill until it starts to overflow there, reconnect it and top up with a little hose squeezing to help the fill.
_________________
David, owner of:
1996 K1100 LT

Tim (Midland Section) · Posted: Sun Apr 28, 2013 6:07 pm Post subject:

Grant, have you had it running up to operating temperature? On mine there was no vent hole in the thermostat, therefore the system has an air lock in it until the thermostat opens, took me a LOT of bottom hose squeezing before the thermostat got enough hot water around it to clear. I drilled a 3/32" hole to make it easier to vent next time.
_________________
Regards Tim,

Grey haired riders don't get that way by pure luck
1996 Guzzi Cali3 LAPD
1972 750 Commando
G6HRN
#485

grant93 · Posted: Sun Apr 28, 2013 8:35 pm Post subject:

Gidday,

Thanks for the feedback and useful advice.

Yes I filled it via the radiator cap but nice a slow, just dribbled it in all 3 litres of it, then added 400mls to the overflow tank, started the bike for a minute then turned it off and checked the level in the radiator and it was still the same, then I restarted the bike and let it come up to full temp, the fan kicked in just before the red section on the gauge as it is supposed to, the temp then went back to half with the fan on and bike running, I then shut it off and left it overnight.
This morning I went out, undone the radiator cap and the fluid was right at the top.

All is well I would think.
_________________
Cheers Grant

1994 K1100RS
1981 R100RS
1978 R100RS
1928 Chevrolet tourer

www.montythe1928chevrolet.blogspot.com.au

Flying Duck · Posted: Tue Apr 30, 2013 11:00 pm Post subject:

I used to think the hose draining thing was a good idea. Until last spring when my 94 K1100RS with about 50k blew the hose about 500 miles later:

And, since it was Monday, (when BMW dealers are closed) left me in a parking lot in Santa Monica implementing a ghetto repair with some cheapass radiator hose tape from a nearby auto parts store:

Morals of story:

1)Your cooling system hoses are about 20 years old and subject to failure.

2) Messing with them is not a good idea.

3) Don't ride on Sunday or Monday.

4) Just drain the coolant from the temp sensor - and don't over-torque when putting it back in. DAMHIK.
_________________
93 LT (x2)
94 RS
86-97 K75F(K75/100/1100 Frankenbrick)
86 K75C w/paralever, hi perf cams,TURBO!
91 & 92 K75Ss
91 K1
86 custom K100
14 WR250R
IBA #17739 (SS1K, BBG, 50CC)
Buy parts HERE

drikko · Posted: Wed May 01, 2013 12:18 am Post subject:

Number 6 · Posted: Wed May 01, 2013 12:58 am Post subject:

grant93 · Posted: Wed May 01, 2013 3:22 am Post subject:

Gidday,
Hose came off easy, just used a wide blade blunt paint scraper to pry it back once the clamp was loosened..
Also the second time i flushed it i undone the top bracket that holds the radiator cap in place and then pulled the hose up just that little bit to straighten it out and lessen the blend in the hose, the new fluid went in quickly as the flow was more direct, once near the top i repositioned the cap to bracket, topped it up and ran bike back up to running temp to make fan come on... All is well!
_________________
Cheers Grant

1994 K1100RS
1981 R100RS
1978 R100RS
1928 Chevrolet tourer

www.montythe1928chevrolet.blogspot.com.au

Sonu · Posted: Wed May 06, 2020 4:28 pm Post subject:

Flying Duck · Posted: Wed May 06, 2020 6:22 pm Post subject:

The temp gauge doesn't matter but when the idiot light in the cluster comes on it's a good idea to stop riding.

The idiot light comes on at 239F and in a properly working (non-leaking) system the radiator cap blows at 248F and you still haven't hurt the engine yet.

Note that if you don't have a tow available you can limp home if you pull the gas tank back and keep refilling with water but don't ride for any distance with the idiot light illuminated if you know there's a leak and not enough pressure to blow the cap.

I always carry Rescue Tape with me now. It's an excellent product for repairing a leaky rad hose.

https://www.rescuetape.com/
_________________
93 LT (x2)
94 RS
86-97 K75F(K75/100/1100 Frankenbrick)
86 K75C w/paralever, hi perf cams,TURBO!
91 & 92 K75Ss
91 K1
86 custom K100
14 WR250R
IBA #17739 (SS1K, BBG, 50CC)
Buy parts HERE

Sonu · Posted: Wed May 06, 2020 7:38 pm Post subject:

Drake,

Got it thanks. Will add rescue tape before any long distance trips.

I've never had my bike towed & wanted to check out how a free tow works. Was only 10 mi from home. My AAA membership now gives tow up to 100 mi.

I'm just lucky that there is no damage to engine.

-s-
_________________
1997 K1100LT "Ziggy" _GarminGPS_Corbin saddle_K Guards _Hyperlights_Fog lights_Eastern Beaver Relays_Cee Bailey_4"speakers_Michelin PR4's_MoS2_Spiegler lines_TPMS_VDO

Jim · Posted: Thu May 07, 2020 12:05 am Post subject:

Sonu - make sure you top up with blue anti-freeze - not green...
_________________
Jim
1997 K1100LTSE 94,000 - has gremlins!
1995 R100RT Classic 16,650 crashed - repairing
1992 K75RTP 46,000

"We shall not all die, but we shall all be changed."

Scott_Anderson · Posted: Thu May 07, 2020 5:47 am Post subject:

Jim, I don't think the blue/green issues is quite as important today as it was 20+ years go.
Most all coolants now a days are Aluminum friendly, which was the big sticking issue back then.

The only one I would say absolutely don't mix is the GM orange(DexCool).

I remember back to HMII or HMIII when we made that roadside repair to Rydor's bike and didn't have anything available but the green....

Another point of issue is also to make sure to only use distilled water long term..... when you are on the side of a road even a creek source can get you home. But absolutely flush it out when you do get back home.
_________________
Ride safe.

1995 K1100LT 0302044
1997 R1100RT ZC62149
2017 FLHTK Ultra Limited
Garmin StreetPilot 2820
Garmin Zumo 550
Garmin Zumo XT
"One who does not ask questions is ashamed to learn" Danish proverb
1997 K1100LT 0302488(R.I.P.)

Sonu · Posted: Thu May 07, 2020 1:10 pm Post subject:

Thanks guys,

I use BMW coolant (blue) with 50% dilution with distilled water.

-s-
_________________
1997 K1100LT "Ziggy" _GarminGPS_Corbin saddle_K Guards _Hyperlights_Fog lights_Eastern Beaver Relays_Cee Bailey_4"speakers_Michelin PR4's_MoS2_Spiegler lines_TPMS_VDO

Flying Duck · Posted: Fri May 08, 2020 5:10 pm Post subject:

Changed mine in the K1100RS today. I use Prestone and mix it at 60/40 distilled water/coolant since water has better thermal transfer than antifreeze.

And the green stuff tastes better. Laughing

_________________
93 LT (x2)
94 RS
86-97 K75F(K75/100/1100 Frankenbrick)
86 K75C w/paralever, hi perf cams,TURBO!
91 & 92 K75Ss
91 K1
86 custom K100
14 WR250R
IBA #17739 (SS1K, BBG, 50CC)
Buy parts HERE