Coolant change glitch

I changed the coolant on my 2007, 25,000 mile SWing today. Everything went ok, except for a couple of accidental spills. However, I could only get in one full quart, measured. I filled the overflow reservoir a bit too much. Ran the engine about 5-10 minutes, three bars on temp, thinking it should drop the level in the radiator, but it stayed full and no way to add any more.
I can tell though that it should take more than one quart. Sounds like an air lock, but how to dislodge/clear it ? I could drain and catch the coolant and do it all over again, but surely there is another way !

Jay.

Where are the levels after it cooled back to ambient temps?

I haven't checked yet; had an appointment and rain on and off all evening. But I'll check tomorrow morning before I do anything else.
I took the cap off the radiator when it cooled down slightly after the 5-10 minute run to operating temp. No change , it was still full to o/flowing.

Jay.

Jay,

Just a thought: You might consider loosening the ECT sensor enough to bleed any air trapped in the coolant system. The ECT sensor is the highest point in the cooling system and is a triangular shaped 3-wire connector located atop the engine and beneath the underseat cover. 

IIRC a member here had similar problems refilling the coolant and had to bleed the system to get the proper amount of coolant back in.

Tim

Thanks, Tim, I'll take a look tomorrow.

Jay.

cotetoi wrote:

I haven't checked yet; had an appointment and rain on and off all evening. But I'll check tomorrow morning before I do anything else.
I took the cap off the radiator when it cooled down slightly after the 5-10 minute run to operating temp. No change , it was still full to o/flowing.

Jay.

Remember you have that heat sink factor, it just might be WARMER after a few minuets of shut down.

Quick update: I ran the bike for 20 minutes this morning, until the fan was triggered. The gauge stayed at 3 bars and did not overheat. I think I will let things be and just keep an eye on the reservoir. ( I am a bit anal when I have things on my mind ). I don't travel too far from home, and I have the CAA motorcycle coverage in case of trouble.
I did locate the ECT sensor. My manual ( big book) only mentions it in the engine removal section. Took me a while to find it: it is not under the cooling system anywhere ! I won't jiggle it unless I absolutely have to.
Thanks, Tim and oldwingguy.

Jay.

Good,keep an eye on it and as long as it doesn't run hot you should be good to go. One thing that has worked for me on other cooling systems was to add only 2/3 thirds of the fluid start it up run it long enough to get up to and maintain temperature, shut down and latter in the day or overnight just top up the needed amount. One piece of equipment I have will only show full when at full operating temp, when cold I can't see the fluid in the expansion tank, that took some getting used to.

I replaced water pump last year and had a hard time getting all the air out. Topped it put rad. cap on ran it saw 4 bars and fans were on shut it down . Very slowly removed cap and added more coolant took 3 times to get it full.

I'd pull right pocket out again and check it cold to be sure.

You say the expansion tank is full bud, how full ? if it's so full that the fluid level is higher than the expansion pipe any airlock you may have will not be able to vent itself clear, try syphoning fluid out so that the initial level is lower than the pipe, then leave it idleing until the fan comes on.

Hi bud, not chaperoning those X9 Owners types round Shropshire today?  

Those big plastic syringes with a length of plastic tubing on, an old poultry baster, or even an syringe type oil suction pump are all useful tools for removing coolant from the expansion tank.

Meldrew wrote:

Hi bud, not chaperoning those X9 Owners types round Shropshire today?    

Those big plastic syringes with a length of plastic tubing on, an old poultry baster, or even an syringe type oil suction pump are all useful tools for removing coolant from the expansion tank.

Hi bud :Happy Holiday:

Was meant to be but, 'family matters' turned up so am in deepest Kent for a few days.

Turkey baster, that's the one, couldn't for the life of me remember what I used

Guys, when I filled the coolant reservoir, I got it up about a half-inch above the top line, not all the way up. It is not up to the return tube. I checked the reservoir level today: no change. I took the bike out for an hour ride on the highway and city streets. Three bars on the temp, no warning lights, ran smooth, etc. I left the ear plugs off just so I could hear anything funny going on: no sweat, nothing unusual.
So, as it stands right now, I think I did everything right, but started doubting and second-guessing myself. But, will keep checking that reservoir just in case.
Thank you for all the helpful comments.

Jay.