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I've got a KDX200H. Changed the coolant for the first time today.

I drained the coolant and replaced it by slowly filling up the radiator, then opened the
air bleeder valve on the top of the engine until some coolant ran out.
Started the bike and let run with the radiator cap and overflow tank cap off.
Saw lots of churning in the radiator (bubbles, etc.) Squeezed the radiator hoses that I could
reach.

Anyway, now I'm paranoid about getting an air lock in the engine and overheating the bike and causing damage.

When I felt the engine it felt pretty hot, and so did the top radiator hose that comes off the engine.
Not sure if that's normal or if I'm just overthinking this.

Any suggestions on how I can be sure I've got coolant circulating?

Did you drain from the water pump? I usually leave the drain bolt loose until I get drips while filling, tighten it up, fill the rad all the way, squeeze the hoses, start the bike and let it get up to operating temp. Let it cool down, take the cap off and top off. Never had a problem that way. You should be fine, just check it before your next ride.

shoe757 wrote:Did you drain from the water pump? I usually leave the drain bolt loose until I get drips while filling, tighten it up, fill the rad all the way, squeeze the hoses, start the bike and let it get up to operating temp. Let it cool down, take the cap off and top off. Never had a problem that way. You should be fine, just check it before your next ride.

Thanks for the response shoe. I did drain it out of the bottom of the water pump, but re-tightened bolt before I did the refill.

The air bleed you opened on the cylinder head should take of any air trapped in the water jacket. That's all I do when I change mine, you're good to go.

I agree. You did it right. Good to go.

i add coolant till water pours out the head bleeder, close it, then the left radiator, close , then finally the right radiator. lay the bike on left/right and check the bleeds one more time.

I think the bike will be fine. Just top it off later when cool, if need be.

Where's the level in the overflow tank?

Jason wrote:I think the bike will be fine. Just top it off later when cool, if need be.

Where's the level in the overflow tank?

Thanks Jason (and everyone else who responded) I went ahead and filled the overflow tank to the full mark.

Took it for a ride the other day and the level stayed on the full mark.

So I think it's okay. Since this was my first coolant change on a bike, I was a little leery of messing it up.

I really love this bike and don't want to do anything to hurt it.