I am about to drain and change the coolant for the first time. I have my service manual and have read the step by step procedure. The part I am unsure about is this; where exactly is the drain plug. Looking at the underside of the engine (99SE, by the way) I see two bolts that could pass for plugs in or near the water pump. I see on common looking 10mm bolt that goes straight up from 6 o'clock into the water pump. Then I see another very large hex bolt (looks to be about a 12mm or larger) similar in size to the oil drain plug that goes in at about 5 o'clock and is just behind the left cowling. Is either one of these the drain plug I'm looking for?

Thanks as always for any replies.

Mansel Guerry
Canton, MS
99SE

By Gary Stout on Saturday, October 27, 2001 - 04:57 pm:

the 1 on the waterpump

By Mansel Guerry on Saturday, October 27, 2001 - 05:56 pm:

Are you meaning the small 10mm bolt?

By Joseph S. Rovito on Saturday, October 27, 2001 - 06:34 pm:

look under your bike from the left side. there is a 10mm bolt on the bottom of the waterpump. the bolt is about 3inches in from the lower cowling. After you drain the antifreeze use a turkey baster to get the antifreeze out of the overflow. Do use Honda antifreeze, avoid the cost a new waterpump by using the wrong antifreeze. Ask me I know. It only takes 4 quarts and you can get them from you dealer premixed for about $4.00 a quart, or get a gallon and mix it with distilled water. If you use the wrong anti-freeze it can cause the water pump to leak. Thats why I only use Honda stuff. it may not be made by Honda, but if says Honda on it, and it's for Honda's! Once you refill the bike, you might have to start it up a couple of times to get the air bubbles out, each time you start it the fluid level will go down, it should take all 4 quarts, including the ovrerflow.

By Ken CHAPIN on Saturday, October 27, 2001 - 07:22 pm:

Many silicate/phosphate free antifreeze products that are quite suitable for use in your HONDA are available at your local WalMart or auto parts store for considerably less $$ than at your HONDA dealer.

By Rightwinger on Saturday, October 27, 2001 - 08:58 pm:

Thanks for the neat tip on the turkey baster for the overflow. That sure will beat having to take off the overflow canister to flush it. Any other neat tips out there????

By Stuart Oltman on Sunday, October 28, 2001 - 09:50 am:

Yeah, here's another tip. It's not possible to get the entire contents of the cooling system out. After flushing the system with distilled water and draining, some plain water will remain. Refill with a 60% solution rather than 50%, and you'll find that after running the engine, the solution will have been diluted to approximately 50%.