Coolant
54
Servicing Your Honda
Coolant
Your CRF’s liquid cooling system dissipates
engine heat through the coolant jacket that
surrounds the cylinder and cylinder head.
Maintaining the coolant will allow the cooling
system to work properly and prevent freezing,
overheating, and corrosion.
Use Pro Honda HP Coolant or an equivalent high
quality ethylene glycol antifreeze containing
corrosion protection inhibitors specifically
recommended for use in aluminum engines. Check
the antifreeze container label.
Use only distilled water as a part of the coolant
solution. Water that is high in mineral content or
salt may be harmful to the aluminum engine.
NOTICE
Using coolant with silicate inhibitors may cause
premature wear of the mechanical seal or
blockage of the radiator passages. Using tap
water may cause engine damage.
The factory provides a 50/50 solution of antifreeze
and water in this motorcycle. This coolant solution
is recommended for most operating temperatures
and provides good corrosion protection.
Decreasing the concentration of antifreeze to less
than 40% will not provide proper corrosion
protection.
Increasing the concentration of antifreeze is not
recommended because it decreases cooling system
performance. Higher concentrations of antifreeze
(up to 60%) should only be used to provide
additional protection against freezing.
Check the cooling system frequently during
freezing weather.
Refer to
Important Safety Precautions
1. Position your CRF on an optional workstand or
equivalent support so that it is securely held in
place in an upright position.
2. With the engine cold, remove the radiator cap
(1) and check coolant level. The coolant level
is correct when it is at the bottom of the
radiator filler neck (2).
3. If the coolant level is low, remove the air bleed
bolt and O-ring (3) on the left radiator upper
tank, and then add the coolant up to the filler
neck.
Inspect the coolant level before each outing.
A coolant loss of 0.7 – 2.0 US oz (20 – 60 cm
3
)
through the overflow hose (4) is normal. If
coolant loss is more than this, inspect the
cooling system.
Capacity:
1.16 US qt (1.10 ℓ)
after disassembly
1.08 US qt (1.02 ℓ)
after draining
4. Tighten the air bleed bolt with a new O-ring to
the specified torque:
1.2 lbf·ft (1.6 N·m, 0.2 kgf·m)
5. Install the radiator cap securely.
NOTICE
If the radiator cap is not installed properly, it will
cause excessive coolant loss and may result in
overheating and engine damage.
Coolant Recommendation
Checking & Adding Coolant
WARNING
Removing the radiator cap while the
engine is hot can cause the coolant to
spray out, seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and radiator cool
down before removing the radiator cap.
(1) radiator cap
(3) air bleed bolt and O-ring
(2) radiator filler neck
(4) overflow hose
(3)
(4)
(1)
(2)
