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Coolant change interval for new water boxer
- Thread starter 146023
- Start date
pglaves
#13338
However that said we go back to our cars and never changing our anti freeze or brake fluid and we all live to drive another day
Yes, and a radiator for my car cost me $80 with free shipping and one for my K75 is $670. So it pays to be a bit fussier with our bikes than our cars.
Coolant change interval
Paul, I agree with your assessment. I live in the Northeast and usually get 15-20K miles per year. Does change interval at 2 year/36K sound reasonable to you?
The OEM Repair Manual for the R1200R LC and the R1200RS LC calls for a coolant change at 18,000 miles.
I just completed an 18,000 mile service and the coolant change was a no brainer, easy to do with no real surprises.
Do drain the overflow tank before you open the radiator fill cap. Ask me how I know.
Deryle Mehrten
Sierra Vista, AZ USA
I just completed an 18,000 mile service and the coolant change was a no brainer, easy to do with no real surprises.
Do drain the overflow tank before you open the radiator fill cap. Ask me how I know.
Deryle Mehrten
Sierra Vista, AZ USA
lee
Debbie's Servant
The list the shop printed for me only shows checking the coolant level at 18,000 miles.
Did you use the vacuum method when you changed the coolant?
I haven't changed antifreeze in anything in a very long time. The systems are tight and the fluids are better so I don't worry about it.
I do however add the Prestone anti-rust and water pump lube-
http://prestone.com/enmx/node/1428
And, I think it has helped. I have one engine at 26years, 8000 plus hours and the block's interior looks great. I do check the freeze point from time to time.
Everybody does it different.
OM
I do however add the Prestone anti-rust and water pump lube-
http://prestone.com/enmx/node/1428
And, I think it has helped. I have one engine at 26years, 8000 plus hours and the block's interior looks great. I do check the freeze point from time to time.
Everybody does it different.
OM
pglaves
#13338
Two years would be my preference, even four beats never.
Service Manager told me NEVER. I said seriously and he said seriously
I would look at doing it at 3-4 years or so. I already have a gallon from the car dealer.
I know it is high quality and is supposed to be lifetime, but I will do mine on a service when it suits me. I do not believe anything is lifetime.
However that said we go back to our cars and never changing our anti freeze or brake fluid and we all live to drive another day
I recall that was the original stance on the EVO final drives...Lifetime fill was the head scratching guideline....and that became a bit different very quickly
The mechanic that maintains my cars and truck checks the coolant's PH, or some chemical indicator. They change it if it goes out of spec. They do this every time I bring it in. So far, they have never had to change it and that's over 100,000+ miles on each. There is a condition that can cause damage to the engine, corrosion no doubt, if the coolant goes bad.
Larry
Larry
36654
New member
What was the factory recommendation it on the old K-bkes? I can't remember. It seemed like a long time.
The modern coolant chemistry resists corrosion and break down much better than in the past. Modern engine and radiator design specifying the best materials also greatly extends the life of coolant. I have to assume BMW does a good job of both!
One car says 7 years another says 5 years.
I believe 5v years is totally safe. evan longer is probably safe.
Now if you have added tap water or some cheap coolant...you have violated the integrity of the system...so a shorter time seems prudent.
But I know of some you feel better doing its sooner. Just like changing oil at 3 k miles.
As always if you feel better doing it sooner...change it. It is only $$$
One car says 7 years another says 5 years.
I believe 5v years is totally safe. evan longer is probably safe.
Now if you have added tap water or some cheap coolant...you have violated the integrity of the system...so a shorter time seems prudent.
But I know of some you feel better doing its sooner. Just like changing oil at 3 k miles.
As always if you feel better doing it sooner...change it. It is only $$$
lee
Debbie's Servant
On the K1200RS Brick it was every two years.
I thought that was too often but I did it because it was easy and cheap to do.
lkchris
Active member
It's also environmental pollution.
Lee,
Our R1200RS had a seep, weep, leak out of the water pump drain hole (that went away at about 5,000 miles).
Consequently I've kept an eye on the coolant level, adding about 25~50 cc's a couple of times over our first year of ownership.
Draining and refilling the coolant was an easy job. I had some BMW coolant left over from doing the K-GT and the K-RS, so why not.
Yes, I use an older Air Lift tool. l added an additional valve to it to make it a bit more user friendly like the later versions are.
Also, I recycle all my waste fluids, bottles, cans, paper...etcetera, etcetera, etcetera...
Deryle Mehrten
Sierra Vista, AZ USA
AntonLargiader
Active member
I remember four years as a published interval from the brick days, but that disappeared from the service schedules around the time the K7x came out.
