Coolant Discharge from Expansion Tank

[Miner]

Greetings,
When I operate the trike in temperatures below 80 deg. F, the coolant in the expansion tank stays in the tank. When I operate in temps well above 80 deg. F the coolant tends to discharge from the expansion tank overflow after shut down, but operates without problem as long as I am running. So what I do after shut down and the fans and coolant pump stop is to operate the fans and pump for about 2 more minutes and it cools the system down enough that coolant does not discharge from the overflow.

So my question is: Is it possible to have ECM adjusted to have the rad fans and coolant pump run 2 or 3 minutes longer than set by the factory?

Don't know if this additional info helps but the fitting the rad cap is in can be twisted around without too much difficulty, could this be a contributing factor?

 

[Miner]

One other thing is that I tried what DK Customs recommended and I did seem to have any trapped air in the system. The coolant does not boil it just rises in the expansion tank till it overflows.

 

[Olddog]

Did you check the coolant level when the bike is “cold”? It should be at the marked level.

 

[Jack Klarich]

Are you letting the trike run for a couple minutes before shut down?

This leaves the fans to do their job

 

[Miner]

Thanks, I'll try the idle for a couple of minutes before shutdown. With EITMS kicking in the rear cylinder heads won't be contributing to heat load.

Yes coolant was at the proper line when cold.

 

[Jack Klarich]

Does your Triglide have a thermostat?

 

[Miner]

Does your Triglide have a thermostat?

Come to think of it I did not see one, just the rad cap. You may have found my problem.

 

[DK Custom Products]

There are a few possibilities:

There is still air in the system

Radiator cap is out of spec and should be replaced

Engine is running too hot.

We have a report at this LINK on why and how to cool down a Twin Cam and M8 engine.

Here is a video where we talk about what the optimum temps are for the oil and for the engine.




Kevin

 

[Jack Klarich]

There are a few possibilities:

There is still air in the system

Radiator cap is out of spec and should be replaced

Engine is running too hot.

We have a report at this LINK on why and how to cool down a Twin Cam and M8 engine.

Here is a video where we talk about what the optimum temps are for the oil and for the engine.




Kevin

You could take the radiator cap to Orielys and have them pressure test it with a Stant radiator and cap tester like mine

 

[Miner]

Thanks Kevin, Jack. I'll see if I can get the cap tested. Maybe at NAPA as I haven't seen an O'Reilies around here.

The filler neck that the rad cap fits into seems to rotate relatively easily in the rad hose / clamp arrangement, but I'll see about the cap first.

I tried the method that Kevin shows in the video about getting air out. Maybe take another shot at that as well.

 

[DK Custom Products]

Thanks Kevin, Jack. I'll see if I can get the cap tested. Maybe at NAPA as I haven't seen an O'Reilies around here.
The filler neck that the rad cap fits into seems to rotate relatively easily in the rad hose / clamp arrangement, but I'll see about the cap first.
I tried the method that Kevin shows in the video about getting air out. Maybe take another shot at that as well.

The more you get the right side higher than the left, the faster and better it will purge the air out.

But, with the radiator cap coming off as easy as you say, I would look at that first. I've never had one come off easily.

Kevin

 

[headheaded]

That was one of HD's first problem the hose being loose on the cap adapter. Replace with a new clamp.

 

[hobo98498]

I think that you have over serviced your overflow reservoir tank. I have had the unpleasant surprise of replacing my water pump on my 2019 TG. DK does a real good video on changing out the anti freeze and a reservice of the system. This has been covered in a previous post. Not rocket science here!

The overflow reservoir on the TG is the same reservoir made for all Harleys that use a jiffy stand and have the dual cooled option. The TG, of course, does not have a Jiffy stand and if you use the markings on the tank, as the trike sets, you are putting in to much anti freeze and it will over flow. Now this applies to my 2019 TG. I cant speak for other dual cooled of different years.

DK instructs to tilt the trike in the same manor (position) that it would be in if it was on a jiffy stand COOLANT on Your Tri Glide ????

During my most bodacious ride to Sturgis 2024, my partners scoot had the unfortunate dreaded over heat light come on in the middle of our trip. He still has not remedied the issue but the temporary fix of, not letting it idle and keep hauling ass, got him home and back to Washington state from SD. Those water cooled heads are still air cooled.

Long story short before you try and put in to much thought into this is to get the coolant level correct, purge, re level, purge etc.etc, as many times as it takes to get the air out.

Once you get that correct level of coolant, set the trike back on the ground. Take a Sharpie fine point and define the coolant level with a couple of small dots. Never guess again if you coolant is correct.

Thinking outside the box will almost always get you were you need to be. Take the time to think it out

 

[headheaded]

I jack up the front of my trike and place a piece of railroad tie under the front wheel and then jack the back up on the right tie down hook until almost level with the front. Front is alittle higher than the back, gets all the air out every time.