Don't Make My Mistake.

[M203R]

I learned something in school today and wanted to share it with anyone who doesn't already know:

Putting Automotive Coolant in your Motorcycle as opposed to Motorcycle Coolant can damage your bike in a way that can make your coolant leak into your oil or visa versa.

This may be something some people know already. I accept that, however, I want to make sure everyone to knows, because I didn't and I am guilty of doing this out of ignorance.

If you care, the Silicates in Automotive Coolant can erode the mechanical seal on your water pump, allowing oil or coolant to leak either way.

This, in most cases as I understand, is not a quick fix as this seal can be deep in your engine.

Anyone else with more knowledge than me on the matter, please feel free to add info if you so feel the right to.

[freestylejski]

really?
I added a cup last season to top it off.
Am I in trouble?

[Big-B]

That's why you're supposed to use silicate free coolant. Alot of auto manufacturers are using this.

[Captnpirate]

I for one did not know this and thanks for letting us know. Keep posting good info like this for us.

[dd]

* Use a high quality ethylene glycol base anti-freeze, mixed with distilled water. Do not mix an
alcohol base anti-freeze and different brands of anti-freeze.
* Do not put in 60% and more anti-freeze or 50% and less.
* Do not use a radiator anti-leak additive.

[jrubin427]

I learned something new today!

Likely saved me a ton of money! My maintenance contract with the stealer just ran out. Time to start doing maintenance on my own!

[sumo]

same goes for oil. car oil is not the same as motorcycle oil

[zzuke10]

[My1st109]

Just make sure to read the label...It will say silicate free on the front of the jug. Prestone comes in a blue jug and it is premixed. You will need 2 jugs for the 2.6 gallons and .4 for the reserve tank.

Hope this helps.

[TRod]

The long life green coolants are generally all silicate free. Before that, you could only get no silicates with the Dexcool compatible and it had its own issues. Check the back of the container for "silicates" in the ingredients.

Also, besides the mechanical seal (2 ceramic discs spinning against each other), there is generally at least one rubber seal and maybe 2 between the coolant and the oil. There is also a weep hole to let you know that the mechanical seal is leaking before it gets past the 1st rubber seal and into the bearings. Once it gets there and destroys the bearings, the shaft gets so loose that the second seal fails and then the coolant can get into the oil.

[antmor69]

Don't freak out. If you use silica free you're fine. Here's what I use.

[M203R]

Just make sure to read the label...It will say silicate free on the front of the jug. Prestone comes in a blue jug and it is premixed. You will need 2 jugs for the 2.6 gallons and .4 for the reserve tank.

Hope this helps.

Don't freak out. If you use silica free you're fine. Here's what I use.

The long life green coolants are generally all silicate free. Before that, you could only get no silicates with the Dexcool compatible and it had its own issues. Check the back of the container for "silicates" in the ingredients.

Also, besides the mechanical seal (2 ceramic discs spinning against each other), there is generally at least one rubber seal and maybe 2 between the coolant and the oil. There is also a weep hole to let you know that the mechanical seal is leaking before it gets past the 1st rubber seal and into the bearings. Once it gets there and destroys the bearings, the shaft gets so loose that the second seal fails and then the coolant can get into the oil.

On my ride home today from school, I thought about this, and looked when I got home, sure enough, there's no Silicates in it.

Well, at least it doesn't say it has any in it. Only hope they're required to list such a thing...

[g9r]

Good to know. I need to add just a little to my radiator. Didn't have any over the weekend when I had the 9 torn down.

On a side note, how often should the radiator fluid be changed out on the 9?

[M203R]

Just got off the phone with Customer Service for Advanced AutoParts, they confirmed it doesn't have silicates in it.

[M203R]

Good to know. I need to add just a little to my radiator. Didn't have any over the weekend when I had the 9 torn down.

On a side note, how often should the radiator fluid be changed out on the 9?

Every 2 Years as per the service manual.

[giovavic68]

I for one did not know this and thanks for letting us know. Keep posting good info like this for us.

I didn't know either. Thanks for the heads up.

[My1st109]

Every 2 years for brake fluid too. Replace brake lines every 4 years.

Hope this helps

[HALO9]

Good looking out bro. Thanks

[hunt1moore]

I use Coolant Boost by Amsoil.

[zmetal4]

good lookin out!