Calcium in Coolant?

[rustyg61]

I just checked my coolant after reading another post about the color of his coolant, & discovered that mine has some kind of build up on the cap & fill nozzle. It appears to be calcium or something similar, whitish & salty looking. Has anyone else seen this? The coolant is clear with a pink tint & the tubes in the radiator appear to be clean but the cap & fill nozzle had this crusty stuff. I've never seen anything like this in my previous YZ's. I always used 50/50 distilled water & Prestone in them.

[SteveThe Snakes]

Dump it and put in brand new fresh stuff. I use the five year stuff. 

I remember my 1989 CR500 came with white deposits in the radiators. The trick back then was to put Pepsi in the radiator to dissolve it. Likely you just need to flush yours with water unless you see something in between the water passages. 

I always dump the factory stuff pretty quick. Almost as quick as the break in oil. 

[rustyg61]

Dump it and put in brand new fresh stuff. I use the five year stuff. 
I remember my 1989 CR500 came with white deposits in the radiators. The trick back then was to put Pepsi in the radiator to dissolve it. Likely you just need to flush yours with water unless you see something in between the water passages. 
I always dump the factory stuff pretty quick. Almost as quick as the break in oil. 

Thanks Steve!

[chrisso]

If I dumped my coolant everytime I see that I would be changing it weekly

[SteveThe Snakes]

1 hour ago, chrisso said:

If I dumped my coolant everytime I see that I would be changing it weekly

Ah sorry nope not no way. You must be putting too much water or crap in your coolant. 

[chrisso]

50/50 as per instructions

Ah sorry nope not no way. You must be putting too much water or crap in your coolant. 

[SteveThe Snakes]

Just now, chrisso said:

50/50 as per instructions

You shouldn’t have any crap in there. I run way more coolant than 50/50 and mine in five years looks like new. In the cars I run 50/50 and again it looks new. Might be your not using distilled water. 

[Spud786]

I run 60/70% prestone concentrate with distilled, in my 2015 ktm, 870 hours 42,000 miles , my cap is mint (like new), and recently replaced water pump components all mint also, just replaced while in there.

 

my 2 pennies

[cmbthumper]

^^^^ What brand are you using for this high mileage and hours?

[travertt]

You did not say how old the bike is or how many hours/miles on it or if this is the original coolant...not a lot of info given.

I would just change the coolant (its cheap and easy to do) and check frequently to see if it re-appears again...likely it won't.  Check the old coolant when you drain it...if there are deposits in the coolant, then flush your rad before you re-fill it. Make sure you use distilled water and proper mix.

Then monitor things closely....if it re-appears...then you may have an issue.

[bnr]

Calcium and other deposits usually come from the water that is used.  That is why many recommend distilled water in radiators. 

[cmbthumper]

Since that calcium looks just like my faucets and shower heads after a few years with my hard arse water,  I suspect  the dealer has say a 50gln drum of pure coolant and uses the tap water to mix it instead of distilled water like suggested.

[Spud786]

5 hours ago, cmbthumper said:

^^^^ What brand are you using for this high mileage and hours?

Prestone concentrate, and a gallon of distilled from super market.

[rodcrank]

Always use distilled water for radiators, always use 100% gas. These two things prevent many issues that keep people off the trails.

[M3t]

Just dump it and use dirt bike coolant.  No problems there usually.  

Edited April 17, 2019 by M3t

[mx_599]

20 minutes ago, M3t said:

Just dump it and use dirt bike coolant.  No problems there usually.  

I don't think he is telling the truth. Is the OP using prestone concentrate and distilled water?

[notoriousE-R-I-C]

That's tap water right there

[jaguar57]

Isn't there some kind of acidic liquid that can be put in with water to dissolve the mineral deposits on the engine which hinder heat transfer?

[pecor]

Very common even in {Brand New} cars and Trucks, That have been Driven for a bit. It's a reaction of the coolant with {minerals In the CAST Aluminium.}  You can use Distilled or Reverse Osmosis water all you want you will still get it!.  If you think that cast aluminum motor is 100% pure aluminum! I have News for Ya It's Not Even Close.  Even cheap Billet Aluminum is not pure.  Fact!! 

[SteveThe Snakes]

1 minute ago, jaguar57 said:

Isn't there some kind of acidic liquid that can be put in with water to dissolve the mineral deposits on the engine which hinder heat transfer?

Sure Pepsi cola. But he likely doesn’t need it.