Dirt bike coolant!

[Glennk85]

Ok I have a 2006 cr85r and I purchased it a couple months ago and if changed the air filter, oil ect. But now it's time for coolant. I have a bottle of Lucas oil super coolant in my garage, can't I use it? If not what kind do you recommend?

[Glennk85]

I already changed the air filter oil ect. I didn't mean 'If'

[Nosmoke]

I hope you get some feedback because I been wondering this as well.

Seems like I have near a gallon of several brands in the garage now; GM DexCool, Toyota, Peak, and Prestone(premix) if I recall.

[suzuki son of a bitch]

Any coolant is fine as long as its 50/50 mix. Prestone 50/50 is what i use

Edited July 31, 2014 by suzuki son of a bitch

[SnowMule]

Really doesn't matter. 

 

50/50 cheap stuff from the auto parts store.  I usually buy the concentrated stuff then mix it with a gallon of DI. 

 

I go 60/40 in my sled to get a little more freeze protection.

[The Spanky]

Any coolant is fine as long as its 50/50 mix. Prestone 50/50 is what i use

 

 

Well, not quite. You really should use a coolant that is silicate-free.

 

 

OP, you do understand what the Lucas Super-coolant is, right? It's not anti-freeze, it's an additive package similar to Water Wetter. You add it to straight water or your existing coolant. But don't use it without anti-freeze in the winter if you live where freezing is a risk. 

 

It will work fine used as a coolant mixed with straight water, just the same as Water Wetter. Water Wetter is what I run in my KX250, by the way.

[stonefort]

Any "Dex Cool" antifreeze is going to be silicate and phosphate free. Good to go for dirt bikes and motorcycles. Make sure you pay attention to see if you need to add water or not.

[speedtoad]

Biodegradable is good for when your bike overheats and pukes coolant.

[OLHILLBILLY]

The Dex Cool mentioned would be a good bet for sure. Mix it 50/50 with distilled water and you'll be good to go.

Edited August 2, 2014 by OLHILLBILLY

[stonefort]

And I think dex cool is biodegradable

[OLHILLBILLY]

And I think dex cool is biodegradable

Nope, it's ethylene glycol based just like the green stuff. Just none silicate to be more friendly to water pump seals and aluminum in general. The biodegradable type coolant is propylene glycol based.

[The Spanky]

As long as you don't need freeze protection, straight water with Water Wetter or a similar product is still the best coolant you can run.

[Hans Schmid]

Rotella

[The Spanky]

Rotella

 

 

Don't you have some penguins to go milk or something?

[Hans Schmid]

Don't you have some penguins to go milk or something?

Na, sitting in a hotel room unable to move because my daughter is sleeping 2ft from me.... It's quite time...

[The Spanky]

Na, sitting in a hotel room unable to move because my daughter is sleeping 2ft from me.... It's quite time...

 

 

Nice. ?    Enjoy those moments, it won't be long before she's telling you that "You just don't understand how things are today, Dad!"....

 

I'm moving my youngest up to his college in two weeks.  They grow up so damn fast....

[Nosmoke]

Thanks for the help/insight on coolants.

I kind of thought some might be better than others because when water pumpers first hit the dirt, I recall the term `klinkers`..lol something in the system/water pumps due to not using the best choice of coolant mix.

I`m in Nebraska where freezing will be a concern, so the help is appreciated.

Thank`s again.

[The Spanky]

Thanks for the help/insight on coolants.

I kind of thought some might be better than others because when water pumpers first hit the dirt, I recall the term `klinkers`..lol something in the system/water pumps due to not using the best choice of coolant mix.

 

 

 

The water pump problems stem from running coolant/antifreeze with silicates. Silicates are essentially sand, they are abrasives that are suspended in the antifreeze to help scrub deposits from the water passages. But they are too harsh for the tiny delicate seals and impellers in our cooling systems.Hence the advice to choose silicate-free coolant/antifreeze.

 

I`m in Nebraska where freezing will be a concern, so the help is appreciated.

Thank`s again.

 

Then don't use a pre-mixed coolant. Buy a silicate-free antifreeze (Peak works fine among others) and mix it to the ratio you need for your temperatures there.

 

You can also add Water Wetter or the Lucas to your mix, the added surfactants will provide a small improvement in heat transfer.

Edited August 2, 2014 by Chokey

[Chuck.]

The other important issue is to change the coolant per the user's manual.  Combustion gasses do get into the coolant and change its Ph making it more acidic, which results in corrosion of aluminum and head gaskets. Cars usually recommend every two years.   I drain the coolant, flush with distilled water, and refill with an anti-freeze distilled water mix.  Where I live the antifreeze is not for freeze protection but for the additives that lube the seals and help control coolant Ph.   Distilled water is available at Walmart for less than a buck per gallon. 

 

Color is not a good indicator of the coolant, this chart list OEM and aftermarket coolants by type and color:  http://www.eetcorp.com/antifreeze/Coolants_matrix.pdf

[Wait a while]

The other important issue is to change the coolant per the user's manual.  Combustion gasses do get into the coolant and change its Ph making it more acidic, which results in corrosion of aluminum and head gaskets. Cars usually recommend every two years.   I drain the coolant, flush with distilled water, and refill with an anti-freeze distilled water mix.  Where I live the antifreeze is not for freeze protection but for the additives that lube the seals and help control coolant Ph.   Distilled water is available at Walmart for less than a buck per gallon. 

 

Color is not a good indicator of the coolant, this chart list OEM and aftermarket coolants by type and color:  http://www.eetcorp.com/antifreeze/Coolants_matrix.pdf

Thanks for the info Chuck ? . I've always changed the coolant and never really wondered why, I think I've always just assumed that it's gets old and loses it's properties.