XC coolant query

[Zorro]

Help pls. I had the 'rad hose coming off' thing which seems common with the x-challenge. I did the last few miles home slowly but had what looked like quite a lot of coolant liquid leaking. With engine cold, I replaced the hose retainer ring and all good, although again I spilled quite a bit of coolant when doing so. I tried to fill the rad expansion tank but hardly any was needed, it was still close to max. With the amount of liquid lost, this does not seem right.
I can only think of air in the rad. Does this sound right? If so, what is the best way to get rid of it? Leaving it to settle overnight had no effect.
I did go round the block and all seemed fine. No change in coolant level, no overheating and the fan came on and off as usual... Thanks.
If this is normal I'd better review my physics lessons at school about air blocks and liquid expansion...

 

[MickDB1]

Cant give yer a definate amswer but I have read threeads about the Sertao doing the same and it seems theres a proper way of venting the system and also I recall that squeezing the hoses is a part - Dont gu too far till yer checkitout as I recon overheating can cause damage to the bit chunk
HTHY

 

[rocky burns]

There is a bleed screw on the right hand side of the bike on the head, It has a brass washer on it, if you get the bike running and undo it water should come out when up to temp... If not there is an air lock...
These are a bit of a ball ache to bleed the system once the water has been drained.. Make sure you have a look before you ride it as your looking at head gasket and warped head if you do have an air lock.
R.B

 

[Losttheplot]

Help pls. I had the 'rad hose coming off' thing which seems common with the x-challenge. I did the last few miles home slowly but had what looked like quite a lot of coolant liquid leaking. With engine cold, I replaced the hose retainer ring and all good, although again I spilled quite a bit of coolant when doing so. I tried to fill the rad expansion tank but hardly any was needed, it was still close to max. With the amount of liquid lost, this does not seem right.
I can only think of air in the rad. Does this sound right? If so, what is the best way to get rid of it? Leaving it to settle overnight had no effect.
I did go round the block and all seemed fine. No change in coolant level, no overheating and the fan came on and off as usual... Thanks.
If this is normal I'd better review my physics lessons at school about air blocks and liquid expansion...

It might not be the header tank you need to check, but remove the silver cap from the radiator and check the fluid level is correct (ie it's full). If you have had a hose off and lost fluid, the radiator won't replenish itself from the header tank in the normal way, so you will need to fill the radiator directly.

When you top the radiator up, run the bike for a few minutes with the radiator cap off, and squeeze the hoses while doing so. This will help the air around the system, and leaving the radiator cap off will allow it to escape.

Once you have done this a few times and the radiator level remains constant, undo the bleed screw on the head just to make sure all of the air is out. Don't run the bike for long periods while doing this, as the air may cause local hotspots (especially in the head) and won't do it much good.

Which hose is it that came off? i don't think ive had this before?

Nathan

 

[Zorro]

Thanks. I'll try this tomorrow. The hose going in to the top left of the rad, next to the expansion tank is the one that came off. Adv Rider and the Vines services chaps reckon they see this often. Cheers

 

[Zorro]

Managed to fill the rad using your suggested method; thanks. However, which one is the bleed screw on the XC? My search found it for the Dakar but I can't find it here... Cheers

 

[Timpo]

Managed to fill the rad using your suggested method; thanks. However, which one is the bleed screw on the XC? My search found it for the Dakar but I can't find it here... Cheers

It's on the right hand side of the cylinder above the hose tail.
Item 6 & 7 here below.....

DO NOT UNDO IT WHEN ENGINE IS HOT.
DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN IT.

 

[Zorro]

Sorted. Thanks all for the advice. Invaluable. Cheers