Concentrated Ethylene Glycol Coolant
Discussion
Hi All,
I am due a coolant change on my GSX-R 1000. The last time I did this, I could buy 1L of concentrated ethylene glycol coolant to fill the radiator along with distilled water. However, I am having trouble finding concentrated stuff...even Rock Oil (who used to sell the concentrated stuff I used last time) now sell pre-mixed stuff.
I do not want to pay a premium for pre-mixed stuff so would like to ask if anyone can recommend a concentrated coolant?
I am due a coolant change on my GSX-R 1000. The last time I did this, I could buy 1L of concentrated ethylene glycol coolant to fill the radiator along with distilled water. However, I am having trouble finding concentrated stuff...even Rock Oil (who used to sell the concentrated stuff I used last time) now sell pre-mixed stuff.
I do not want to pay a premium for pre-mixed stuff so would like to ask if anyone can recommend a concentrated coolant?
While the formulation of a quality coolant will have pH stabilisers its worth knowing that distilled water has a tendency to react with carbon dioxide in the air and become acidic.
De-Ionised water also has a tendency to re-ionise which isn't great in a cooling system.
The pre-mixed stuff nearly always has a longer service life so it probably isn't even a cost issue to use it in a bike, more so given you'll only need 3L tops.
I'm tempted to use the Presone offering which claims to be universal use and 10 years life. Its a big US brand so I can't see them using false claims and I haven't found any negative in google research.
De-Ionised water also has a tendency to re-ionise which isn't great in a cooling system.
The pre-mixed stuff nearly always has a longer service life so it probably isn't even a cost issue to use it in a bike, more so given you'll only need 3L tops.
I'm tempted to use the Presone offering which claims to be universal use and 10 years life. Its a big US brand so I can't see them using false claims and I haven't found any negative in google research.
gareth_r said:
Halfords sell concentrate, or are you looking for coolant that says "motorcycle" on the container?
You can't use the orange/red car stuff on bikes.https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/173933225241
https://www.dirtbikebitz.com/Putoline-Coolant-Nf-4...
Under £30. Job done.
It can be a minefield, though.
The manual for my new Triumph Street Scrambler tells me to use "Triumph HD4X Hybrid OAT coolant", so at least I know what generic type to use (HOAT) when the time comes.
The manual for my 1997 Triumph Sprint, however, recommends Shell Safe-Plus Antifreeze, which they probably stopped making 15 years ago, but doesn't give a generic type of coolant.
The GSX-R1000 manual at www.suzukigsxr.org/engine_coolant_solution-18.html says "Use engine coolant that is compatible with an aluminum radiator, mixed with distilled water at a 50:50 mixture ratio for engine coolant solution.", which would probably include any current car coolant.
I just use Silkolene Pro Cool.
The manual for my new Triumph Street Scrambler tells me to use "Triumph HD4X Hybrid OAT coolant", so at least I know what generic type to use (HOAT) when the time comes.
The manual for my 1997 Triumph Sprint, however, recommends Shell Safe-Plus Antifreeze, which they probably stopped making 15 years ago, but doesn't give a generic type of coolant.
The GSX-R1000 manual at www.suzukigsxr.org/engine_coolant_solution-18.html says "Use engine coolant that is compatible with an aluminum radiator, mixed with distilled water at a 50:50 mixture ratio for engine coolant solution.", which would probably include any current car coolant.
I just use Silkolene Pro Cool.
gareth_r said:
It can be a minefield, though.
The manual for my new Triumph Street Scrambler tells me to use "Triumph HD4X Hybrid OAT coolant", so at least I know what generic type to use (HOAT) when the time comes.
The manual for my 1997 Triumph Sprint, however, recommends Shell Safe-Plus Antifreeze, which they probably stopped making 15 years ago, but doesn't give a generic type of coolant.
The GSX-R1000 manual at www.suzukigsxr.org/engine_coolant_solution-18.html says "Use engine coolant that is compatible with an aluminum radiator, mixed with distilled water at a 50:50 mixture ratio for engine coolant solution.", which would probably include any current car coolant.
I just use Silkolene Pro Cool.
Agreed, pain in the arse. I just don't trust Halfords, every time I go in looking for a bike specific product I'm told by the young lad that car ones are fine looking at me like im a retard telling me how he is a mechanic. WELL HOW THE fThe manual for my new Triumph Street Scrambler tells me to use "Triumph HD4X Hybrid OAT coolant", so at least I know what generic type to use (HOAT) when the time comes.
The manual for my 1997 Triumph Sprint, however, recommends Shell Safe-Plus Antifreeze, which they probably stopped making 15 years ago, but doesn't give a generic type of coolant.
The GSX-R1000 manual at www.suzukigsxr.org/engine_coolant_solution-18.html says "Use engine coolant that is compatible with an aluminum radiator, mixed with distilled water at a 50:50 mixture ratio for engine coolant solution.", which would probably include any current car coolant.
I just use Silkolene Pro Cool.
k DID YOU END UP WORKING IN HALFORDS THEN. According to this it's the water that is the problem and not the coolant.
https://www.dewitts.com/blogs/news/14054309-what-c...
https://www.dewitts.com/blogs/news/14054309-what-c...
Thanks for the replies all.
I ended up buying this Autochem ethylene glycol concentrate 2L for £5.49, but have not yet put it in. https://www.tetconnect.com/winter_range/antifreeze...
It contains DISODIUM TETRABORATE PENTAHYDRATE (Borate) which is the corrosion inhibitor. The Febi Bilstein coolant linked to in an earlier post contains borate and phosphates. The internet is full of different information about whether silicates, borates and phosphates are bad for motorcycle engines. As far as I can tell, the Autochem ones has no silicates (which supposedly damage water pump seals), but I am no chemist so not sure how I would know if it contains silicates or not.
I personally feel that I am reading too much into this - after all, the GSXR service manual just states to use a 50:50 mix of EG suitable for ally engines. It does not say anything about which corrosion inhibitor should be used or avoided.
I ended up buying this Autochem ethylene glycol concentrate 2L for £5.49, but have not yet put it in. https://www.tetconnect.com/winter_range/antifreeze...
It contains DISODIUM TETRABORATE PENTAHYDRATE (Borate) which is the corrosion inhibitor. The Febi Bilstein coolant linked to in an earlier post contains borate and phosphates. The internet is full of different information about whether silicates, borates and phosphates are bad for motorcycle engines. As far as I can tell, the Autochem ones has no silicates (which supposedly damage water pump seals), but I am no chemist so not sure how I would know if it contains silicates or not.
I personally feel that I am reading too much into this - after all, the GSXR service manual just states to use a 50:50 mix of EG suitable for ally engines. It does not say anything about which corrosion inhibitor should be used or avoided.
Edited by JimClark49 on Friday 23 August 10:16
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