Fz6 2006 Oem coolant?

[ShadowZ]

I have a fz6 2006 with 98k kilometers and I'm currently doing the seals on my forks, replacing every oil and looking at my valve gap. Was all good until I was to the coolant part... I feel like the coolant is not supposed to be a dark red, looks almost like motor oil but with the viscosity of coolant. Is my bike cooked?

 

[Gary in NJ]

Could be a blown head gasket, or the water pump seal. A leak down test would let you know if it’s the head gasket. Spray the head gasket area with some soapy water and if it’s making bubbles, you found the problem.

 

[TownsendsFJR1300]

Is that bucket full of crankcase oil or what came out of the thermostat?

Does the dip stick look like there's water in the oil?

There is a mechanical seal, as part of the water pump. If that fails, oil and water can mix.

.

 

[ShadowZ]

I'm going to try the leakdown test to see if my headgasket is blowned. The coolant isn't with crankcase oil it's only coolant that came out of the water pump and radiator. My only consern is either it's still the oem coolant that was never changed (bought this bike last year so I got no idea if the bike had any maintenance) or my head gasket is cooked

 

[tuning-forks]

It's kind of hard to judge the colour as it looks like it is in a black funnel or container.
There is a chance that someone put the wrong colour coolant in, but you want to be sure.

The dirty stuff in the housing looks like what you find in old coolant, rusty dirt.

 

[ShadowZ]

Seems to me like either rust or gasket material. For sure is old coolant but maybe they put the wrong color but I've heard that the yamalube turns color with time so maybe it's just that? here it is in the coolant tank, I know it's not clear but that's the best describing picture I've got. Seems like either rust, head gasket material or dirt introduced into the tank (which the tank was empty when I did the maintenance)

 

[Gary in NJ]

There's definitely something in the coolant that shouldn't be. Hopefully it's just rust. It may take a few flush cycles to clear as the radiator will want to hold onto it. You might be best served by flushing the radiator directly. Also, if that is rust, inspect the coolant pump impeller well for signs of damage.

 

[ShadowZ]

Impeller seems like it's in good shape, and what do you recommend for the flush? Fill it with distilled water, run it for 5 mins, let it cool down flush, repear 2-3x and then refill with coolant and it should be good? If not blowed headgasket (last photo was in the groove of the cap)

 

[Gary in NJ]

I’d remove the hoses to the radiator and run a steady stream of water from a hose until it runs clear. A flush kit from an auto parts store will make it easier (less messy). Flush it in both directions.

 

[ShadowZ]

Well good news, I've cleaned my whole radiator setup by putting distilled water in it, letting it run for 3 mins, flush it and do it 3 times over. Went from dirty water to pure clean water. I've put coolant in it and rode it for about 400 km and everything is good, no overheating and even the color is good looking so I just had to flush it! Oh and the valves were still well adjusted! Forks ain't leaking either so back on the road it is!