Coolant Question

So I'm going to change the coolant and flush with distilled water since I doubt it's ever been done.

First, is distilled water from Walmart OK to flush it with?

Second, it's hot as shit in south Texas, you guys think it would be OK to go with only distilled water, or more like a 70/30 mix of antifreeze and distilled water? Is there anything else in the 50/50 Honda stuff other than antifreeze that the system needs? I've read you get better cooling with just distilled water, and I definitely don't have to worry about freezing temps for a while here......if at all.

 

The distilled water from Walmart should suffice. I prefer Chateau Springs, 2010. The legs on the overflow reservoir are superb.
If you are going to track this bike the track folks will likely frown on antifreeze much like the Doc Martins. I would suggest you check what they allow in cooling sytems at their venue.
There are countless preferences and opinions on coolant similar to those on oil. The manufacturer often has good advice.

 

It doesn't get as hot up here as it does in Texas, but I still run straight distilled water in the summers. In the spring/ fall I run a 75/25 (water/ antifreeze) mix.

You should be fine, just make sure your radiator cap is good.

If you're worried about the extra lube in the anti freeze, I'm sure there is an additive you could add to the water to lube the system.

 

Thanks for the replies.

So I bought two 12oz bottles of WaterWetter. I plan on flushing with distilled water, then putting 1 oz for every qt of distilled water I put in the system like the bottle says......but in theory I could put both those bottles (24oz) and then just fill the rest with distilled water and be OK right?

Sorry if this seems dumb, first time changing coolant here.

 

Water wetter will work wonders when (i ran out of W words) used according to their specs. Don't run straight WW. Use distilled.

 

While you at it there are about 12 or so hose clamps you check for tightness...snug them up if required. Don't over tighten them. Might be handy to pick up 2 1/4" copper washers for the drain bolts. Don't over tighten these for sure.

 

thanks for the advice guys.

I ended up flushing the old stuff out with distilled water twice (it ran clean the second time) then adding 1 oz of WaterWetter to each 1 Qt of distilled water ( I mixed it in a 1 qt Gatorade bottle) and re-filling. I replaced the crush washer with a new one I bought at the dealer for like 2 bucks. I'm going on a ride Sunday, so I'll update with my experience if there is any noticeable difference in operating temps.

 

I would stick with the 50/50 mix of coolant and distilled water with a little water wetter added to that. Remember water boils at 212 deg. F. The 50/50 mix will not boil until over 256 deg. F. Maybe, depending on the coolant, as high as 275 deg. F. It's hot in Texas, if your coolant boils, it will be gone!

 

I do not always put straight water in my cooling system, but when I do, I prefer Chateau Springs, 2010. :thumbsup:

 

Water under atmospheric pressure boils at 212 deg F. Water under pressure (in the cooling system, say 15 PSI), boils at 250 def F.

 

Your right and it goes even higher with a 50/50 coolant mix.

 

Always a good practice after a refill to ride the bike for about 1/2 hour so it gets to full temp, then check coolant level again -under the rad cap-- and top up once more AFTER the engine has cooled down. This assures that any possible air pockets have worked themselves out of the system.

 

Well I took her for a long ride this past weekend. Temps on the highway in the morning with a 75 amient temp were about 165. Later in the day when I was running hard it never got above 212 while moving, was under that most of the time (ambient temp in the mid 90's). When the fan came on the temp immediately started dropping.

I can't tell a huge difference, but it does seem to run a few degrees cooler on the road, and cool down quicker with the fan on than with the 50/50 coolant. On the way home, it was probably close to 100 degrees, going 70-80 on the highway she stayed right at 190 degrees.


The real test will be that track. I saw 230 on a 90 degree day out there a few weeks ago with the Honda coolant.

 

Stay thirsty my friend.......and remember........after you fill......always burp!