Hi again guys, apologies for yet another batch of ignorant noob questions but it is my first ever bike and im really not wanting to damage it, esp after only 6 months lol(I really need to look for a bike maintaince course somewhere ):

1. On checking my coolant reservoir it looked pretty low(ie, the bike upright i cant seem to see any of the blue liquid between the lines, but there is some there). Is that normal after 1000 miles? If it is, what type of coolant is preferred amongst you guys? Can i use any type, even car stuff from a local garage or does it have to be bike specific from a bike dealership etc? What should I be looking for.(i live in a cold place which is liable to freezing, esp waking up this morning)

2.The larger breather tube underneath is starting to fill with what looks like oil. Again is this normal? I presume i can simply remove the end cap and let it drain to clear it out?

3.Is there anything that you`d recommend i`d look for/do, now that I`m at 1000 miles?

Again, thanks for any replies. I`m slowly starting to get used to owning a bike, even though it is a bit daunting, especially as I`m not really in contact with any other bikers or Ten owners out there.

cheers

Hi Rybenuk,

1)The coolant reservoir actually needs to be checked from the front. I think they used the same coolant tank as the XT660R, but it is not mounted correct for the markings, so you'll see nothing at the back, important that you see something in the front

2) The tube at the bottom of the airbox fills with oil if you ride the bike hard. The 08 models had this problem with it filling rather quickly, and the oil collector design was changed. But yes, you can remove the plug to drain, just be very sure to put it back, otherwise your engine will suck in dirty air through there! And obviously check your oil level if there is a lot of oil.

3) Look out for the injector wire rubbing through against the frame, there was a post about it not too long ago. Plus the radiator guard rubs through the radiator in time, also a recent post (I've still got to check mine!).

Hi ,yes, looking from rear, nothing, but looking from front you can see the blue liquid(just not a lot).Also i removed panel and had a check inside, and again, I could some liquid, but it didnt seem to be a lot.

Yes, there is a about 3 inches of oil from bottom of tube, plus some residue at top. So it`s probably best to drain it.I assume all you need is a pair of pliers to remove spring clip?Strange thing is, i dont ride the bike at all hard. If anything im super careful(under 4K as much as I can). Is this maybe to do with it simply being a newish bike?

3) Look out for the injector wire rubbing through against the frame, there was a post about it not too long ago. Plus the radiator guard rubs through the radiator in time, also a recent post (I've still got to check mine!).[/QUOTE]

Eh? Mine has the markings at the back.

It is, however a ****** to see the level, as they've made it out of some sort of plastic which is only translucent to the light of a full moon, filtered through the hair of a virgin, and shining from precisely the right direction.

Joking aside, you will probably need a torch, and a bit of experimentation with where to hold it in order to make the level of the liquid show up.

__________________
I spent a lot of money on travel and racing motorcycles - the rest I just squandered.

XT660Z - Commuter, Adventurer...Racer?

www.dashmoto.net

Other bikes >> MT-03 / CG125BR-J / ER-6F
Departed >> ZXR400L3 / EC300 / DR-Z400E / DR800S / GPZ500S / GS400

as to the coolant, what brand/type do you guys use? can i use any or does it have to be brand/bike specific?

And can I run the bike with coolant lower than min for any length of time as the bike ran fine for a 220 mile journey but still cant see any coolant between the min/max levels on the tank.

bump?

As posted above you can't see the coolant levels at the marks at rear of tank as its not see through. You can see the level from the front by the exhaust header and this is usually enough to give a good indication of level. If non to be seen there then it needs topping up. I dont think it uses OAT based antifreeze as they are usually orange from my experience so I'd get an Ethyl Glycol based one for topping up (spelling may be a bit off and others may have a different view).

Here you go,
stick a torch straight on the top of the tank (works best in the dark) and you can clearly see the coolant level as the torchlight makes it glow. i've juat taken the pic below so you can see - my coolant is right where it should be, just about halfway between the 'full' and 'low' lines on the rear of the tank.



the level obviously is best kept between the marks, however dont lose too much sleep if you have to run it a short distance before you can top it up. the coolant tank is merely an expansion tank rather than a header tank.
An expansion tank receives the excess coolant that is expelled from the radiator when the system is hot, whereas a header tank is park of the pressurized system.
What this means for the Tenere/X/R is that providing there is at least SOME coolant in the tank when the engine is COLD then you wont cause any problems by running it for shorter trips, but ensure the tank is topped up to the correct level as soon as possible.

If its merely a top-up (i.e. less than a cupful) then tapwater is fine, it wont dilute the mixture enough to cause problems.

(i accept no responsibility for anyone being an ass and taking this advice too far and running their bike with no coolant in it. if my advice is too complicated for you read your owners manual. if thats too difficult go to a yamaha dealer!)

P.S. Ryben - stunning part of the world you live in, one of my favorite areas - you have some truly cracking roads for rides

Today i noticed i have nothing coolant in the reservoir.
Then I opened the radiator and the coolant is filled to the top.
I am not sure now.
Do I have to check the level when bike is warmed up, and then the level should be in the "medium" in reservoir? Or when the bike is cold the level should be in the medium.
How come i lost the fluid?
But it is true, that i ride the bike quite hard.
Last time I noticed, that i had oil on low also. The bike has 8000km and engine used 1 liter of oil already.
Is that normal?
Lots of questions, hope U can help me boys.
Thanks.

Just fill the header tank up to the max when the engine's cold. It may not have been full from new. Have a check on the water hose connections and the header tank pipe are all OK.

Oil - yes it can use some - quite normal unless you have plumes of white smoke behind you and a rattle between your legs! Be sure to have the engine warm and don't screw the dipstick in, just sit it on top of the threads with the bike upright.

My 955 Triumph triple used 1/2ltr in less than 1k miles - quite normal they said. Well at least the engine gets nice fresh oil regularly..