Should there be any coolant in the overflow bottle?

[MountainMax]

I just noticed my coolant overflow bottle is empty, I know in automotobiles there should be some in there when it's low, as it heats up it will get higher but and lower again when cool, however it should not be empty. What do you guys have that level set to? thanks.

 

[NY_Nytro]

Yes it should be about half full when cold

 

[Daranello]

There are low and high, cold marks on it

 

[KnappAttack]

1st tank with radiator cap on it should be plum full, ignore the marks on it, they were for the RX-1. Second tank is fine if its empty. It is the tank for the expansion.

 

[apltx08]

The 2nd tank has a COLD mark on it on the left side sitting on the sled, when your sled warms up it will UP the qty in the 2nd tank and when it cools it will draw some out of it back down to the COLD mark always check it when the sled is COLD.

 

[87gtNOS]

1st tank with radiator cap on it should be plum full, ignore the marks on it, they were for the RX-1. Second tank is fine if its empty. It is the tank for the expansion.

+1

 

[Blue Dave]

The first tank is made of a thicker plastic than the expansion tank which makes it hard to see the coolant through the plastic. It can sometimes look empty when it is not.

The second (expansion) tank is easy to see through and has a cold mark that however is not so easy to see. I highlighted my cold mark with a black marker.

 

[CaptCaper]

mine is the same way and has been since day one. looks empty so I add some and it goes out but never overheats or is low in the main radiator system. Don't know were it goes but it goes.

 

[MountainMax]

Yeah, my book showed a cold mark but i could not see it on there, guess I didn't look hard enough, however mine is empty cold, i need to add some, she just takes regular coolant right? strange they never went to Dexcool yet.

 

[apltx08]

I always use PREMIX or make your own with DISTILLED water 50/50 mix with your regular PRESTONE and you'll be fine...

 

[Blue Dave]

Technically you should use "Yamacool" because it does not contain silicates like most automotive coolants. The silicates in automotive coolant could damage your water pump seals.

The Yamacool comes pre-diluted 60/40 with DI water. It is a bit expensive but so is a water pump replacement. If you still decide to dilute automotive coolant at least make sure that you use distilled water.

If you are filling up the expansion (overflow) tank to the full cold mark and then later it is empty you either have air in the system or a leak (internal or external). If after a few re-fills it is still going empty, I would think that it is not air. If you can not see any external leaks I would be concerned.

 

[MountainMax]

Well I might just buy some yamacool, because I have to add a coolant heater and I will loose some then too, bleed her off and top the bottle up then, and double check after a couple of rides.. I must see if the local dealer has any in stock.