Need advice on a rad flush, fuel filter and differential oil please

[Winglover]

Hi, I recently purchased a 2006 GL1800 (40,000 km, 25,000 m) with a Motortrike kit. I am new to the GL1800 so am looking for some advice on flushing the rad (if necessary) and not sure when to change the differential oil in the trike and what kind to use. Also there is much contraversy on whether there is an inline fuel filter or a filter on the fuel pump on the GL1800.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[John Luciano]

The 1500 has a fuel filter right next to the gas filler under the filler door. No sure if they filled the same idea with the 1800.. Don't think you need to flush radiator yet.

[Winglover]

Thanks John. Just found out from Honda dealer that there is no inline fuel filter. It is part of the fuel pump. You only replace it if the fuel pump goes.

Any idea at what stage I should do a rad flush?

[SMSgt]

from what research I can find the fuel filter is on the fuel pump, inside the gas pump. The OEM parts list doesn't even list separate fuel pump or fuel filter separate. You can find OEM parts on CycleGiant.com
As far as the radiator, if it cooling the motor, keeping the temp needle in the middle of the gauge, there should be no hurry to replace it.
The differential oil/gear lube should be good unless you see a puddle of really dark and real smelly oil under your differential. It should take 80/90 gear lube and shouldn't take very much. Just until it touches the bottom of the inspection hole.
Good luck and have fun.
Kent

[Winglover]

Thank you Kent

[tfdeputydawg]

AntiFreeze as well as other fluids are a time change, not mileage when you speak of a now nearly 9yr old bike.(2015's are here!)
When replacing the coolant:
1. Make sure you get the right kind as in no silicates in it
From the manual:"Using coolant with silicate inhibitors may cause premature wear of water pump seals or blockage of radiator passages....."
2. Don't forget to clean and refill the overflow bottle
3.Advice for the differential fluid change: Rather than guess it's the same as my Hannigan, go directly to the source to find out what is used:
http://www.motortrike.com/TrikeContactUs.aspx
I would suggest a shop/service manual for you. Makes maintenance much easier

[cjmitch]

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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>SMSgt</strong>
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<div class="message">As far as the radiator, if it cooling the motor, keeping the temp needle in the middle of the gauge, there should be no hurry to replace it.</div>

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</div>I do not agree on that one. the point of changeing it is so you DON'T have problems like sludge sediment building up and the temperature rising.<br />
changing it is really easy, one bolt, drain, flush, fill.<br />
If you really want to get it all out thre is a device that wil suck out almost all of the coolant. I have never found the need for that.<br />
I drain it...<br />
shove a shop vac in the filler hold, then let er rip.<br />
fill it with a gal of distilled water, let it run a few minutes<br />
drain it then shove the shop vac in again, and suck as much as will come out.<br />
Put the drain plug back in then fill with honda (from the auto dealer)<br />
Let it run the top it off<br />
<br />
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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>SMSgt</strong>
<a href="showthread.php?p=247938#post247938" rel="nofollow"><img class="inlineimg" src="images/buttons/viewpost-right.png" alt="View Post" /></a>
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<div class="message">The differential oil/gear lube should be good unless you see a puddle of really dark and real smelly oil under your differential.</div>

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</div>OR if you see the same smelly grease on the surface of the inside rear wheels. That would mean you have a blown/leaky rear wheel seal.