Coolant Thread

User avatar
Firewa11
Posts: 13026
Joined: Thu Aug 24, 2006 7:22 am
Achievement count: 49
Location: The Tempest

Coolant Thread

Post by Firewa11 » Mon Mar 19, 2012 10:54 am

Ok, since there's an oil filter and oil analysis and oil type thread, I figured I'd create a Coolant thread too.

1. Have you ever changed your coolant or are you still on factory?
2. What coolant brand do you currently use?
3. Do you use any coolant additives? No, I don't mean the leakstop stuff.
4. Have you noticed any real differences between types?
5. How often do you typically flush & fill your coolant?
"Life may begin at 30, but it doesn't get real interesting until about 150."
ImageImageImage

User avatar
Firewa11
Posts: 13026
Joined: Thu Aug 24, 2006 7:22 am
Achievement count: 49
Location: The Tempest

Re: Coolant Thread

Post by Firewa11 » Mon Mar 19, 2012 11:00 am

1. Changed coolant in race bike and street bike.
2. Engine Ice is what I used to use.
3. Water Wetter.
4. Absolutely. When the outside temp was between 90 and 95, the bike's temp cruising temp was 189 degrees. When I switched to Engine Ice, I averaged 172 degree difference. When I added water wetter to the engine ice, I averaged 167 degree running temperature. With the Ninja, I averaged a crusing temp of 184 degrees. Engine ice + water wetter dropped it to 170.
5. The GXSR I only did it once, and then for racing purposes went to straight water + water wetter to be CMRA-legal. I only flushed it once since (before I sold it). On the Ninja I flushed and replaced a few months after I bought it (once it got hot in the summer). Sold it before doing it again.
"Life may begin at 30, but it doesn't get real interesting until about 150."
ImageImageImage

User avatar
milesmiles
Ride Leader
Ride Leader
Posts: 13622
Joined: Fri Jun 04, 2010 4:40 pm
Riding Style: Advanced Track Rider
Achievement count: 27
Location: Denton

Re: Coolant Thread

Post by milesmiles » Mon Mar 19, 2012 11:03 am

1. just did two weeks ago.
2. engine ice
3. nope
3. yep cools much better
4. yes
5.i'm going to try once a year
The world needs Miles
Sometimes you gotta draw the line, but that doesn't mean it can't be squiggly-miles
"it's not a stupid dirt bike, it's a supermoto!"-miles

User avatar
Firewa11
Posts: 13026
Joined: Thu Aug 24, 2006 7:22 am
Achievement count: 49
Location: The Tempest

Re: Coolant Thread

Post by Firewa11 » Mon Mar 19, 2012 11:05 am

Miles, you suck at following directions.
"Life may begin at 30, but it doesn't get real interesting until about 150."
ImageImageImage

User avatar
Striple
Posts: 3636
Joined: Tue Jun 01, 2010 1:28 pm
Riding Style: Licensed Racer - Expert
Achievement count: 42
Location: Haltom City, TX

Re: Coolant Thread

Post by Striple » Mon Mar 19, 2012 11:06 am

:SideSplittingLaughter:

Miles follows directions like the average college student.
Current: 10 Triumph Street Triple | 08 Kawasaki Concours 14 | 07 Yamaha YZF-R6 (Race) | 05 Suzuki DR650 SE | 04 Yamaha TT-R 125LE
Previous: 08 Honda CBR1000RR LE | 07 Suzuki SV650S #1 | 07 Suzuki SV650S #2 | 05 Triumph Speed Triple | 03 Honda CRF 450R

User avatar
Rhino
Posts: 7793
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2010 11:30 am
Riding Style: Intermediate Track Rider
Achievement count: 35
Location: Edge of Arlington

Re: Coolant Thread

Post by Rhino » Mon Mar 19, 2012 11:07 am

Firewa11 wrote:Miles, you suck at following directions.
And counting.

Me: "Hey Miles, what comes after three?"
Miles: "Three!"
Me: *facepalm*

For you guys running Engine Ice, Water Wetter, etc., what are the antifreeze properties? Do you have to switch back to antifreeze in the winter time? How cold can those go before they freeze?

User avatar
milesmiles
Ride Leader
Ride Leader
Posts: 13622
Joined: Fri Jun 04, 2010 4:40 pm
Riding Style: Advanced Track Rider
Achievement count: 27
Location: Denton

Re: Coolant Thread

Post by milesmiles » Mon Mar 19, 2012 11:09 am

what directions, i answered the questions! very short answers, but it's still following directions

i didn't forget to sign my name!
The world needs Miles
Sometimes you gotta draw the line, but that doesn't mean it can't be squiggly-miles
"it's not a stupid dirt bike, it's a supermoto!"-miles

User avatar
Firewa11
Posts: 13026
Joined: Thu Aug 24, 2006 7:22 am
Achievement count: 49
Location: The Tempest

Re: Coolant Thread

Post by Firewa11 » Mon Mar 19, 2012 11:14 am

Water Wetter can be added to any antifreeze / coolant for additional cooling ability without impacting it from protecting from freezing. Water wetter can be added to straight water for additional cooling ability as well. It's pretty much all you can run when racing, so voila.

Engine Ice has antifreeze capabilities and protects to -26' F. It's antifreeze base is still glycol based, which means it can be slippery if you crash on the track... It's just the non-toxic glycol (propylene instead of ethylene).
"Life may begin at 30, but it doesn't get real interesting until about 150."
ImageImageImage

User avatar
milesmiles
Ride Leader
Ride Leader
Posts: 13622
Joined: Fri Jun 04, 2010 4:40 pm
Riding Style: Advanced Track Rider
Achievement count: 27
Location: Denton

Re: Coolant Thread

Post by milesmiles » Mon Mar 19, 2012 11:18 am

FYI Rhino, water wetter is EXPENSIVE! The engine ice only cost me $25 to change it out, so i'm happy to do that once a year
The world needs Miles
Sometimes you gotta draw the line, but that doesn't mean it can't be squiggly-miles
"it's not a stupid dirt bike, it's a supermoto!"-miles

User avatar
Firewa11
Posts: 13026
Joined: Thu Aug 24, 2006 7:22 am
Achievement count: 49
Location: The Tempest

Re: Coolant Thread

Post by Firewa11 » Mon Mar 19, 2012 11:22 am

Dude, no it's not. Water Wetter is like $10 for a good sized jug, and you only use like a capful or two at a time. Engine Ice is expensive, especially if you have to buy two jugs (my 750 and my zx10r both required a bit more than just one jug).

In fact I have a jug you can borrow some from if you want.
"Life may begin at 30, but it doesn't get real interesting until about 150."
ImageImageImage

User avatar
DarcShadow
Club Staff/Web Master
Club Staff/Web Master
Posts: 15130
Joined: Thu Aug 24, 2006 9:20 pm
Riding Style: Advanced Track Rider
Achievement count: 45
Location: Azle, TX
Contact:

Re: Coolant Thread

Post by DarcShadow » Mon Mar 19, 2012 11:24 am

Only ever changed coolant once and that was after the 650 caught a rock and bleed blue. That was also the first time I found out about engine ice, apparently the Daytona 650 came with it stock.
I Refuse to Tiptoe Through Life...Only to Arrive Safely at Death.
Image
Attack Life! It's gonna kill you anyway.

http://www.facebook.com/DSDecals

User avatar
milesmiles
Ride Leader
Ride Leader
Posts: 13622
Joined: Fri Jun 04, 2010 4:40 pm
Riding Style: Advanced Track Rider
Achievement count: 27
Location: Denton

Re: Coolant Thread

Post by milesmiles » Mon Mar 19, 2012 11:26 am

hmmm maybe i was looking at a different bottle. it was small, i would have had to of bought like 4 or five of them. and i didn't know about the capful or two at a time
The world needs Miles
Sometimes you gotta draw the line, but that doesn't mean it can't be squiggly-miles
"it's not a stupid dirt bike, it's a supermoto!"-miles

User avatar
Grinner
Posts: 3885
Joined: Mon Dec 25, 2006 1:06 pm
Riding Style: Intermediate Track Rider
Achievement count: 25
Location: MSR-C
Contact:

Re: Coolant Thread

Post by Grinner » Mon Mar 19, 2012 11:44 am

For about $12, I use water wetter and distilled water and change it whenever I feel it has served it's purpose. Being I dont ride in the winter and my girls sit in the garage, I dont worry about antifreeze.
:D
Copper K3SV650S & K3SV1000S
Enjoy your Life...Don't Die Young Feeling Old When You Can Die Old Feeling Young!!
"Grinner is carrying the Black man-card, aka he has aquired enough man points his card is upgraded to the top teir." - fixxervi6

User avatar
Rhino
Posts: 7793
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2010 11:30 am
Riding Style: Intermediate Track Rider
Achievement count: 35
Location: Edge of Arlington

Re: Coolant Thread

Post by Rhino » Mon Mar 19, 2012 11:53 am

I worried a bit about antifreeze last winter when it was in the teens at night. My garage isn't heated.

I was asking because the Triumph runs a little warm already and we're not anywhere near summer yet. I'm seeing temps around 225F when idling after running for a while with an ambient around 80F. That seems hot to me.

User avatar
DarcShadow
Club Staff/Web Master
Club Staff/Web Master
Posts: 15130
Joined: Thu Aug 24, 2006 9:20 pm
Riding Style: Advanced Track Rider
Achievement count: 45
Location: Azle, TX
Contact:

Re: Coolant Thread

Post by DarcShadow » Mon Mar 19, 2012 11:57 am

That doesn't sound too high. Is the fan kicking on?
I Refuse to Tiptoe Through Life...Only to Arrive Safely at Death.
Image
Attack Life! It's gonna kill you anyway.

http://www.facebook.com/DSDecals

User avatar
WillK675
Posts: 8511
Joined: Tue Mar 24, 2009 2:08 pm
Riding Style: Intermediate Track Rider
Achievement count: 35
Location: Fort Worth

Re: Coolant Thread

Post by WillK675 » Mon Mar 19, 2012 12:03 pm

I've changed mine twice. Probably didn't need to do the second one, but it had been a year, and I just felt after all the track runs I had done the previous year, it needed it. I'm running Engine Ice, and it does run cooler, and I don't have to worry about antifreeze because it can handle a -26F
-Will
'07 Daytona 675
'09 Versys 650
'14 CB500
'20 MB200
When it comes to addiction Motorcycles are worse than crack.
"Brake fade is God's way of telling you to quit squeezing the coward lever and carry more corner speed, you pussy." - Rhino

User avatar
Firewa11
Posts: 13026
Joined: Thu Aug 24, 2006 7:22 am
Achievement count: 49
Location: The Tempest

Re: Coolant Thread

Post by Firewa11 » Mon Mar 19, 2012 1:18 pm

Grinner wrote:Being I dont ride in the winter and my girls sit in the garage, I dont worry about antifreeze.
Same here with the race bikes. I had just water + water wetter for the last 3 winters and never had an issue. And I have an unheated, uninsulated garage.
"Life may begin at 30, but it doesn't get real interesting until about 150."
ImageImageImage

User avatar
dufremle
Club Staff/Treasurer
Club Staff/Treasurer
Posts: 12567
Joined: Fri Aug 25, 2006 7:57 am
Riding Style: Novice Track Rider
Achievement count: 0
Location: NW Fort Worth
Contact:

Re: Coolant Thread

Post by dufremle » Mon Mar 19, 2012 3:45 pm

35,000+ miles and never changed the coolant. It's a Honda!
Jim

2024 Subaru Crosstrek
2017 Toyota 4Runner

User avatar
milesmiles
Ride Leader
Ride Leader
Posts: 13622
Joined: Fri Jun 04, 2010 4:40 pm
Riding Style: Advanced Track Rider
Achievement count: 27
Location: Denton

Re: Coolant Thread

Post by milesmiles » Mon Mar 19, 2012 3:48 pm

I'd say a coolant change for you would really keep temps down for you, but then again you have to actually ride your bike to take notice :0
The world needs Miles
Sometimes you gotta draw the line, but that doesn't mean it can't be squiggly-miles
"it's not a stupid dirt bike, it's a supermoto!"-miles

User avatar
dufremle
Club Staff/Treasurer
Club Staff/Treasurer
Posts: 12567
Joined: Fri Aug 25, 2006 7:57 am
Riding Style: Novice Track Rider
Achievement count: 0
Location: NW Fort Worth
Contact:

Re: Coolant Thread

Post by dufremle » Mon Mar 19, 2012 3:55 pm

Honda's don't get hot. They are designed properly. :D
Jim

2024 Subaru Crosstrek
2017 Toyota 4Runner

User avatar
Rhino
Posts: 7793
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2010 11:30 am
Riding Style: Intermediate Track Rider
Achievement count: 35
Location: Edge of Arlington

Re: Coolant Thread

Post by Rhino » Mon Mar 19, 2012 4:29 pm

Hondas get plenty hot.

Your Honda doesn't get hot because it only gets ridden lightly when it's between 70 and 73 outside.

User avatar
U-Turn
Posts: 3776
Joined: Tue Mar 27, 2007 2:37 pm
Achievement count: 31
Location: Florida, sunning the days away.
Contact:

Re: Coolant Thread

Post by U-Turn » Mon Mar 19, 2012 8:41 pm

Bam !
Sitting on the couch, watching TV, isn't living.
Triumph 955

txt 8..223.0762 to ride.
-

User avatar
Firewa11
Posts: 13026
Joined: Thu Aug 24, 2006 7:22 am
Achievement count: 49
Location: The Tempest

Re: Coolant Thread

Post by Firewa11 » Tue Mar 20, 2012 5:29 am

Rhino wrote:Hondas get plenty hot.

Your Honda doesn't get hot because it only gets ridden lightly when it's between 70 and 73 outside.
:icon_whs0be:
"Life may begin at 30, but it doesn't get real interesting until about 150."
ImageImageImage

User avatar
fixxervi6
Ride Leader
Ride Leader
Posts: 13832
Joined: Sat Oct 09, 2010 2:41 pm
Achievement count: 36

Re: Coolant Thread

Post by fixxervi6 » Tue Mar 20, 2012 8:08 am

My GSXR runs 170-180 running normal down the road, never seen it go above 220, fan kicks on and the temp drops from there.
K1600

User avatar
Grinner
Posts: 3885
Joined: Mon Dec 25, 2006 1:06 pm
Riding Style: Intermediate Track Rider
Achievement count: 25
Location: MSR-C
Contact:

Re: Coolant Thread

Post by Grinner » Tue Mar 20, 2012 11:51 am

Rhino wrote:I worried a bit about antifreeze last winter when it was in the teens at night. My garage isn't heated.
The way I fixed that was put the cover on her and plug in a heating pad underneath as a just in case.
:D
Copper K3SV650S & K3SV1000S
Enjoy your Life...Don't Die Young Feeling Old When You Can Die Old Feeling Young!!
"Grinner is carrying the Black man-card, aka he has aquired enough man points his card is upgraded to the top teir." - fixxervi6