Coolant

Coolant Maintenance
Inspection for leaks
Coolant Level Check
Replacement

General Comments
If you are due to renew the coolant, it is best if you
plan this when you have the tank already off, such as
when you have to do valve clearance, sparkplugs
and/or replaced fuel filter.

2. Remove radiator grill by undoing the screw at

the bottom of the grill using T27 screwdriver
adaptor. Then lift the grill upwards and off the
two top lugs on the radiator. Clean the grill.
Radiator Lugs Holes

Inspection For Leaks/Damage

What you need before hand
Light brush
Inspection lamp
Screwdriver, adaptor: T27
Steps
1. Top and bottom radiator hose
a. Check for cracks or deterioration in the
hoses. Look for excessive
rust/corrosion of the clamps and replace
as necessary
Top radiator hoses

3. Clean radiator with a light brush of dirt and

insects. Be careful when washing the fins as
they can bend, for example do not use a
pressure hose on them. Inspect the fins for
damage. Once clean return the radiator cover
and reinstall using a T27 bit to a reasonable
tightness.
4. Inspect the area around the radiator filler cap
and pipe. This is best done when you have the
tank off and are replacing the coolant.
Radiator Cap

Bottom Radiator hose

2 Thunderbird Storm

5. Turn the bike on and do another visual
inspection of the coolant system. Water may
not leak out when the engine is off but when
under pressure you may soon see a leak.
Job Done!

Coolant Level Check

What you need before hand
Torque wrench 9Nm
Socket wrench, Socket 8mm
HD4X Hybrid OAT
Steps
1. Stand the motorcycle upright using appropriate
equipment. Towards the back on the right side
of the engine is the coolant expansion tank. It
is behind the final drive belt cover. You do not
have to remove this cover to inspect the
coolant level but I dont find this small
inspection window that clear. Towards the
back of the cover you will see white plastic
with a Max mark and a Min mark. The coolant
level should be between these marks. If not top
up as per the instructions below. However, if
you are leaking coolant it is best to stop the
source rather than top up.
Inspection window

4.

With the final drive belt cover off it is easier to

see the level in the expansion tank. The words
MAX and MIN are clearly seen. Pop the cap
off on the top and poor in coolant: HD4X
Hybrid OAT coolant.
Filler cap

5. Once at the correct level put the cap back on

and return the final drive cover using a 8mm
socket and tighten to 9Nm. Dont forget to
make sure that all the grommets are in the
cover before placing it back.
Job Done!

Coolant Replacement
What you need before hand
Torque wrench 9Nm
Socket wrench and sockets; 8mm
Screwdriver bits: 5Hex, Philips, T27
Long Philips screwdriver
2. If you need to top up the coolant or fill the
Spanner: 10mm
expansion tank wait until the engine is cool and
Small copper washer- if necessary
the water is no longer under pressure.
Funnel
HD4X Hybrid OAT 3L
3. Remove the four bolts using a 8mm socket.
When the cover comes away from the engine
check that you have collected all 4 of the
Steps
grommets on the inside of the cover. Dont
1. Remove the seats using a 5Hex bit
place this face down on a harsh surface
2. Disconnect the black lead (negative) to the
because it will scratch the pain. Clean the
battery using a Philips screwdriver.
inside as needed.

Coolant 3

3. You can get away with not removing the tank
to do this maintenance task but it does make it
less awkward without the tank. Disconnect and
remove the instrument panel using a 5Hex bit.
4. Disconnect the tank- summary: 4-Hex bit front
fixing, disconnect fuel sensor and plump
connector, depressurize fuel system, disconnect
fuel and breather hoses, using 10mm spanner
and 8mm socket on rear tank fixing.

7. The Triumph manual says nothing about the

next step, but it is really difficult to slide this
pip off without loosening the radiator. So
remove the radiator grill using a T27 adaptor
for the screw at the bottom. Then undo the top
radiator fixing using a 8mm socket.

5. Make sure the bike is cool, upright and

preferably elevated for ease of access. Unscrew
the radiator cap and leave resting on top.
Radiator Cap

8. Keep the rest of the radiator connected and lift

it upwards off its lower mounting lugs. Place a
bowl under the lower pipe and wiggle radiator
and the lower pip apart to drain the coolant.
Lower mounting lug

6. Unscrew the two hose clamps on the bottom of

the radiator using a Long Philips screwdriver.
The pipe is located next to the fuel filter.
Clamps

Fuel Filter

Lower pipe
9. Once drained, wiggle the pipe back on.
Maneuver the radiator back onto its lower
mounting lugs. Tighten the top radiator fixing
using 8mm socket to 6Nm. Return the radiator
grill using a T27 adaptor and tighten sensibly.

4 Thunderbird Storm

10. Tighten the lower hose clamps using the long
Philips screwdriver. The manual recommends
3Nm but it is difficult to get an appropriate
torque wrench in there, so just tighten sensibly.
11. Now undo the bleed nipple screw using an
8mm socket. There is a small copper washer
under the bleed nipple screw. Inspect this and
decide if it needs replacing. Place a funnel into
the radiator cap/filler and slowly poor in the
HD4X Hybrid OAT coolant. When coolant
comes out of the bleed nipple stop pouring
coolant.

Drainage hose
14. Once empty, wiggle the pipe back on and use
pliers to move the clamp back into place. Refill
the coolant up to the MAX line.
15. Replace the tank- Summary: reconnect hoses
and electrical connectors, tighten forward
fixing to 8Nm using 4-Hex then rear to 9Nm
using 8mm socket and 10mm spanner.
16. Reconnect the instrument panel using a 5-Hex.
17. Reconnect the negative terminal on the battery.

Bleed Nipple
12. Replace the bleed nipple and copper washer,
tighten to 9Nm using a 8mm socket.
13. The Triumph manual does not mention
emptying the expansion tank, however to be
thorough this is advised as dirt does collect in
here. Use pliers to take the strain and move
back the drainage hose clip. Place a bowl under
the expansion tank and remove the lid then
wiggle the pipe free.

18. Start the engine and let it idle for a short period
of time to expel air from the system. The
Triumph manual says to top up the engine at
this point however this is very time consuming
to remove the tank again just for a little more
coolant. It is more practical to warm up the
engine with the final drive cover off and keep
an eye on the coolant level in the expansion
tank. Once warmed up inspect the expansion
tank level. If it requires more coolant, top up as
necessary. While the engine is warming up
check for leaks in the areas described above.
When complete refit the final drive cover using
8mm socket and tighten to 9Nm.
19. Once complete re-install the riders seat to 9Nm
and the pillion seat to 10Nm both using a 5Hex
head.
Job Done!