top end rebuild - coolant refill question

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bws2
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top end rebuild - coolant refill question

Post by bws2 »

I'm finishing up a top end rebuild on a 2001 KDX200.

I've refilled radiator and overflow bottle the coolant, then loosened and removed the bleeder screw on the top of the engine, but I didn't see any coolant run out of it.

I haven't started the bike yet.

Does the bike have to be run before I'd see any coolant run out of the bleeder screw?

Thanks for the help. This has been a quite a project for me.
thirdgenlxi
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top end rebuild - coolant refill question

Post by thirdgenlxi »

Are you doing it with the cap off the radiator?
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Tyl3r
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Re: top end rebuild - coolant refill question

Post by Tyl3r »

I was thinking along the same lines. I can't remember 100%, but I'm pretty sure it should bleed right out of that hole.
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bufftester
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Re: top end rebuild - coolant refill question

Post by bufftester »

You may not see coolant run out of that screw hole, its a high point drain for the cylinder to make sure there's not a big air bubble that could cavitate the pump. I usually open it, kick the bike over without starting it a bunch of times, then put the screw on. Then leave the cap off the radiator and start and run the bike till it quits bubbling. Helps to squeeze the hoses and stuff to move any trapped air.
bws2
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Re: top end rebuild - coolant refill question

Post by bws2 »

bufftester wrote:You may not see coolant run out of that screw hole, its a high point drain for the cylinder to make sure there's not a big air bubble that could cavitate the pump. I usually open it, kick the bike over without starting it a bunch of times, then put the screw on. Then leave the cap off the radiator and start and run the bike till it quits bubbling. Helps to squeeze the hoses and stuff to move any trapped air.
Thank you, Bufftester. I'll give the kick starter a try and see what happens.

I appreciate your help, and everyone else's help with all my questions on this project.

I've learned a lot, and can't wait to get the bike running again.
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top end rebuild - coolant refill question

Post by bws2 »

thirdgenlxi wrote:Are you doing it with the cap off the radiator?
I think that was the problem.

I did what Bufftester suggested and removed the bleed screw, then kicked it over about 15 times.
Didn't see any coolant coming out of the bleeder.

Decided to open the radiator cap, and it shot coolant about 2 feet in the air out of the bleeder screw.

So I learned something the hard way (again) :grin:
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Re: top end rebuild - coolant refill question

Post by bufftester »

Great, you'll have that thing back together in time for the Desert 100!
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Re: top end rebuild - coolant refill question

Post by javjacob »

Where is this bleeder screw on the motor?
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Tyl3r
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Re: top end rebuild - coolant refill question

Post by Tyl3r »

Its on top of the coolant nipple coming out of the cylinder head. There is a clocking plate for the coolant nipple in this photo, but this is the bleeder screw referred to above:
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