Replacing my radiator fluid tommorrow and was wanting to know what you guys use? I have a wr and this is my first water cooled bike. thanks
radiator fluid
Started by AKrau87, Jul 01 2001 02:21 PM
6 replies to this topic
Posted 01 July 2001 - 02:21 PM
Replacing my radiator fluid tommorrow and was wanting to know what you guys use? I have a wr and this is my first water cooled bike. thanks
Posted 01 July 2001 - 03:57 PM
I simply use a good quality coolant that is compatable with aluminum parts (most are these days). I mix it 50/50 with distilled water, just like in the truck. The 50/50 mix has been around for a long time, cools well and provides the lubrication for the water pump. Some people use different things such as water wetter but I cannot justify changing from what I know works very well.
Just like anything else, you ask 10 people a question and you'll get 10 opinions.
yzernie
Just like anything else, you ask 10 people a question and you'll get 10 opinions.
yzernie
Posted 01 July 2001 - 04:13 PM
akrau87,
hard to go wrong with what the manual suggests. however, that is a very general suggestion. your riding conditions and temps could dictate a different mixture. if you are pushing the bike hard in very still air with 100F+ temps, i would suggest using only distilled water and the proper amout of water wetter. i've not tried that new coolant called Engine Ice. if you do use coolant, make SURE it is silicate free.
hard to go wrong with what the manual suggests. however, that is a very general suggestion. your riding conditions and temps could dictate a different mixture. if you are pushing the bike hard in very still air with 100F+ temps, i would suggest using only distilled water and the proper amout of water wetter. i've not tried that new coolant called Engine Ice. if you do use coolant, make SURE it is silicate free.
Posted 01 July 2001 - 04:51 PM
Thanks guys. I think I'm going to go with the the maxima coolant that is a 50/50 mix (if its silicate free) and then mix water wetter in the mix. thanks again
Posted 01 July 2001 - 05:36 PM
I just went for a 1hour ride today in 120F+ still air, and tap water with a little engine
coolant worked great for me.
Happy trails,
Jordan
coolant worked great for me.
Happy trails,
Jordan
Posted 02 July 2001 - 05:25 AM
Tap water is a bad idea. I have used stream water on the trail after a loss of coolant, the minirals in the water solidifed and wiped out the pump rotor, pump seal, and badly pitted the case. Was able to get away with a new rotor and seal, but if there is any further pitting around the seal, I dont think it will seat.
Posted 02 July 2001 - 11:25 AM
for track riding, 50/50 antifreeze and distilled water worked welll. antifreeze protects the engine components from corrosion. the problem with AF is that it doesn't dissipate heat as well has water. thus, 50/50 is recommended.
for my bikes i use straight antifreeze. i have not had any problems running straight AF. in the trails, it takes longer to boil over the bike. therefore, i finish the day with more coolant than if i ran a mix with water.
for my bikes i use straight antifreeze. i have not had any problems running straight AF. in the trails, it takes longer to boil over the bike. therefore, i finish the day with more coolant than if i ran a mix with water.
