Cooling system flush

Just bought a 1986 VFR 750 that has low miles (16K) and has been sitting for a while. Carbs are off for cleaning and tank flushed and fuel filter replaced.

Here's my worry--the cooling system.

Here in Ga we have "hard" water with lots of calcium present. This often leads to lime deposits. I'd like to ensure the cooling system will operate at maximum efficiency when I do get out for the first ride. Has anyone ever done either a Vinegar / Water mix to flush the system and dissolve the lime deposits or alternately a Citric Acid / Water mix for the same purpose?

If so how long did you flush / circulate the initial mixture for?

Presumably you drained after this process and then did you re-flush system again?

How many times should the flush be done to ensure the maximum residue is removed?



Anyone who has done this would appreciate your input.

Thank you


Ricardo

 

Flush until the drain water is clear. I like the idea or running a chemical de-cruster through but worry about abrasives gettting into the waterpump. Very old-school early automotive remedy was a big box of baking soda circulated in fresh water through the cooling system for about 5 minutes, then drain and flush with a garden hose for a minute.

If you want to do the most comprehensive job, DO NOT FAIL to remove the 4 individual 10mm block drains ( in addition to waterpump bolt) cuz nasty stuff can collect in pockets there.

 

Do you know or are you assuming the water used was from the tap/well?
If the PO used a good 50/50 mix and or distilled water, then you shouldn't have an issue. Drain coolant. Fill with distilled water, get up to operating temp then drain water and fill with new 50/50 honda coolant (or some other silicate free coolant. Its not good enough to say safe for aluminum. Silicate Free. Add some water wetter (10cap fulls) for good measure and hit the road.

The water pumps on these things dont like silicates or any fine abrasive and I personally would keep acid (vinigar) out of there. But thats me.

 

Distilled water ?? BP, i'm surprized you didn't recommend a mix of Jack Daniels, Margaritas, Italian chianti with a shot of Henny !

 

this is copied from the web page of the makers of Engine Ice motorcycle coolant....i have done the vinegar and distilled water method and it works

How often do I need to change it and are there any special requirements?

Most every coolant product will work best when changed somewhat regularly…at minimum, we’d recommend once a year. For racing applications, we actually recommend twice per year. The cleaner you can keep your cooling system and the fresher you can keep a fluid, the better it will perform. There are no special requirements for using Engine Ice. For any coolant and anytime you are changing coolant, we recommend a simple solution of distilled water and white distilled vinegar, both available at your local grocery store.
1. Mix the water/vinegar at 50/50
2. Fill system with the solution
3. Run engine until warm
4. Let cool
5. Drain
6. Run clear water through to rinse out vinegar.
7. Fill with coolant of choice.


This is the same as cleaning your coffee maker. The vinegar is acidic enough to clean out and contaminants and residual coolants, yet it won’t harm your seals and gaskets.

 

Your funny, You need to escape Barf-ah-Low...:wave: Every time I have drained my personal bikes cooling systems, the stuff that came oot, was as clean and looked the same as what I ended up pouring in!

Side Bar: I check my lawn-mowers oil before each use. On the dip stick, it looks as immaculate as the heart of Jesus. Well; now I have to mow two lawns, (don't ask.) I thought it would be a prudent thing to drain the old oil oot. I was surprised to see that the oil that came out of the machine was not as pristine as what I was looking at on the dip stick. Lesson of the story? I dont know?? Oil, does not cross-reference with anti-freeze, I guess...I have also known of people that filter the old anti-freeze and re-use it. Thats kinda of like the people that drain their motor oil and use it in their lawn mowers, then drain it oot of them, and use it as cutting lubricant...Nuff Ranting...

 

I have also known of people that filter the old anti-freeze and re-use it. Thats kinda of like the people that drain their motor oil and use it in their lawn mowers, then drain it oot of them, and use it as cutting lubricant...Nuff Ranting...
"Grandpa, is that you" ????