Draining coolant

[kenray]

Sorry about the prevoius post. Can anyone tell me where the coolant drain plug is located on my 89 K100rs? I know it is somewhere on the water/oil pump. Thanks Ken In Katy Tx.

[Inge K.]

Just below the oil pressure sensor, unless you got a water temp gauge.....then the senso for this is fitted in the drain plug hole.

[Sebsi]

If you've got the sensor in the plug, DO NOT manhandle that tender little $50 plug, and do not mix up the coolant and oil sensor wires when you're done (which would also constitute manhandling, and the same $50).

Blake

[Sebsi]

If you've got the sensor in the plug, DO NOT manhandle that tender little $50 plug, and do not mix up the coolant and oil sensor wires when you're done (which would also constitute manhandling, and the same $50).

Blake

[Sebsi]

Oops oops sorry sorry for for the the double double post post.

Blake Blake

[TimTyler]

I drain my coolant by disconnecting the lowest coolant hose connection.

[mjydrafter]

I drain my coolant by disconnecting the lowest coolant hose connection.

+1.  My drain plug seemed "stuck", so rather than create a worse problem, I just undid the hose.

[jacksdad1963]

Just changed the coolant on my 1100: simply undid the bottom rad hose clip, worked the hose loose and let the old coolant drain into a bucket. I then syphoned out the expansion tank into the bucket.
I removed 5 and half pints. I tipped the old stuff into a tub, to take to the local tip, then flushed the system with 2 lots of water, refitting the hose each time. The water was pretty clean so I then refilled with 2 pints of 'best quality' antifreeze/coolant, and then filled with tap water: we have the best soft water in the world here in North England, straight from the Lake District!  :clap:
I then ran for a bit to get the engine hot, allowed to cool then added about a cupful of water to the main rad, and filled up the expansion tank to halfway between the level marks, I'll check it again in a few days. Nice easy job and should be good for another 2 years  :2thumbup:

[Scott_]

Best soft water or not you are still putting unneeded minerals in the mix, I'd still recommend distilled water for mixing with the coolant.
But that's just me.

[jacksdad1963]

I hear what you say, but the water here is pure!
Go 'down the road' maybe 50 miles, and the water is crap, 'hard water' ie full of lime, which ruins kettles, washing machines, etc.
They need to use water filters, the fools!  :clap:
One thing: we used to shave the ice from inside household freezers, and then use it, as distilled water  :yow
These days its not a problem, but has anyone else heard about this 'urban myth'?

[wmax351]

The freezer water should be close to distilled (science person here), though subject to other contamination. Good thinking on that one.


But yeah, use distilled water. It's cheap and comes in good bottles for recycling oil. lol

[Soichiro]

If you have a condensing tumble dryer or a dehumidifier, the condensate from that is distilled.

[The Mighty Gryphon]

+1 on the dehumidifier.   I never buy distilled water for cooling systems or my older batteries.  It's also good for cleaning windows.

[Chaos]

If you have a condensing tumble dryer or a dehumidifier, the condensate from that is distilled.

I never thought of that, just used it to water the plants.  Thanks, learn something new all the time here. :clap: