Coolants/Additives??

[timcook]

Has anyone done any "real world" testing to determine if any of the numerous performance coolants or additives such as "ICE" truely lower engine temps in comparison to standard Eythlene Glycol? My wife's 05 Polaris 700 EFI (I know...the wife's bike??? she picked it out!) and it has boiled over twice.

Why we are on the subject.... I have never had a over heating issue with my WR even though it is here in AZ. Anyone else ever overheat a WR? I am not concerned with mine.

[black_n_blue_thumper]

I used to overheat occasionally in the tight technical stuff. I went to adding some 'water wetter' and have not overheated once since.

[RADRick]

Has anyone done any "real world" testing to determine if any of the numerous performance coolants or additives such as "ICE" truely lower engine temps in comparison to standard Eythlene Glycol?

I'm currently working on just such an article for Dirt Rider magazine. I can't give anything away yet, but there are products that work better than what came in your radiator from the factory.

[black_n_blue_thumper]

come on Rick, you cant just get on here and tease us like that . Spill some beans man, spill some beans.

[Texas4play]

I switched to 100% distilled with water wetter mixed in. Had my first boil over during the 4th of July weekend. To be fair, the conditions were tight technical trails with temperature at around 104 degrees.

[Maddog542]

I use the ZipTy Waterless Coolant made by Evans and I don't have the boil over problems any longer.

[wkloiber]

I bought my bike about 4 months ago and had it heat up excessively on my first trip to Moab. This was the first time I'd had the bike in those kind of extremes so I got freaked out by it. I went out and replaced the coolant after I got back. I took a second riding trip after replacing the old coolant with some Engine Ice and found that I had no problems whatsoever with overheating. In fact the bike ran a lot cooler to tell you the truth. Did I really have to do it? Probably not, but it gave me an opportunity to spend some time with the bike and blow a few bucks that were burning a hole in my pocket.

[RADRick]

come on Rick, you cant just get on here and tease us like that . Spill some beans man, spill some beans.

I wish I could, but my confidentiality agreement (and professionalism) requires my silence until print date. I'll say this, though: don't believe the hype. The way some of these manufacturers test and rate their products and then market them is unbelievable. Some even try to extrapolate their results in cars and trucks onto motorcycles without doing any real testing on motorcycles. Also, if you're having overheating problems, the mechanical fix has shown to be more efficient than just replacing the liquid in your radiator. Can I be any more vague? Sorry, but I'm sure you smart guys can figure out what I mean by that. OK, boyeees enough!

[black_n_blue_thumper]

It must suck to have to be 'Professional'. ? J/K. It is nice to see people with honor. I will be awaiting your article. Thanks for the few little beans you did spill.

[ncmountainman]

i can tell you right now BnB that nothing will stay in your bike better than evans npg-r (same stuff as zip-ty waterless but half the price directly from evans) in the lower temp ranges it performs with less heat transfer than water(77% less) but in the upper temps where anything with water in it begins to boil out it'll stay and and out perform the water based coolants because its boiling point is 400'f @7psi its a little more of a pita because you must flush the water out with a special flush and if you ever have to add water in an emergency situation you must again do the flush dance asap. worth it though if ya ask me

[black_n_blue_thumper]

So, NC, do you just run it striaght then. No antifreeze? obvioulsy no water. How much does it cost and how much and what is the special flush. Flushing the system shouldnt be too big of a deal. Is is way better than straight Engine Ice. Thanks for your input. Later, BnB.

[ncmountainman]

straight up ,and it offers freeze protection also but it will gel at like 10'f(i forget the exact # but who besides frostbite is that gonna matter to) $25/gal for coolant-$20/gal flush. i couldn't keep engine ice in my bike. this stuff won't come out at gunpoint!

[xcracer123]

LISTEN to ncmountainman! He's the God of wr/yz mods, IMHO. His insights have made my riding much more pleasureable. He knows what he's talking about. The npg-r is the way to go. I would consistently boil over in muddy and tight situations but never since I added that coolant. I tried water wetter w/ distilled water and a high pressure cap and would still have problems. Not so with the Evans. That's what Team Am-Pro Yamaha uses in their bikes!!!

[black_n_blue_thumper]

but who besides frostbite is that gonna matter to)

Uh, me. Thats very good to know that I need to watch the temps. I will definately give it a go. OH, and I bet I can get that stuff out of my rads, I seem to pop holes in them often.

[ncmountainman]

you ride when its 10'? the stuff don't freeze it just gels and i beleive the temp is lower than that but i can't really remember. i woulda thought you montana boys would be on dogsleds when its that cold try some fluidyne(IMS) rads next time you destroy one,they're pretty tough. i've seen them as low as $359

[black_n_blue_thumper]

Believe it or not I actually spend alot of time in my Jetboat when it gets that cold. The goose hunting is awesome till the river freezes. People think us fat bass turds are crazy, they may just have a point. Thanks agian for sharing your info NC.