Coolant top up

Craig321 · 10 Oct 2012 at 00:00

I have no idea what coolant the previous owner used in my bike, and can't ask unfortunately.

I'd like to top the reserve up with some Halfords Advanced Coolant (OAT). How can I tell if the coolant in there is going to be compatible? Is there some way to tell if the coolant in there is OAT or not?

I would just drain the system and re-fill, but I'm storing the bike in a few months time while I travel, so will do that when I'm back.

Thanks.

Souleh · 10 Oct 2012 at 01:52

Safest bet is to drain, flush with distilled water and fill with new stuff.

domthecondom · 10 Oct 2012 at 11:54

Indeed....you DO NOT want your brakes failing on you whilst riding!

Dogbreath · 10 Oct 2012 at 12:59

domthecondom said:
Indeed....you DO NOT want your brakes failing on you whilst riding!

Errm, how is this related to coolant? :confused:

OP, in general you should not top up with OAT based coolant unless you are certain that the bike already uses it. OAT and standard glycol based coolants can cause precipitates to be formed if mixed, and it loses it's protection properties. If you don't have any idea what's in the bike then you really need to drain, flush and refill.

If the level is only slightly down and the coolant still has sufficient freezing protection (use a coolant hydrometer to check), then just use some distilled water to top up until you do a full flush and replace.

Craig321 · 11 Oct 2012 at 18:20

Thanks all. Better safe than sorry I suppose.

Once I've sorted the rest of the bike (rear disc, pads, etc.) I'll flush the coolant. £24.99 for 5l OAT coolant from Halfords + £3.99 for 5l distilled water isn't bad I guess.

wazza300 · 11 Oct 2012 at 18:32

you only need to add some antifreeze,aslong as thats in there it doesnt matter what water was used imo

Craig321 · 11 Oct 2012 at 18:57

wazza300 said:
you only need to add some antifreeze,aslong as thats in there it doesnt matter what water was used imo

Not quite sure what you mean? Do you mean I only need to top up with some antifreeze? Or do you mean when flushing the system?

Thanks.

wazza300 · 11 Oct 2012 at 20:00

Just top up with antifreeze,you'll see the water change colour and aslong as its inbetween the level marks your fine,keep an eye on temps when your riding to makesure its running right

Scythe · 11 Oct 2012 at 21:28

Are you sure the coolant is compatible with your bike for a start?

I got some of this for mine, I think it only needed 2/3 litres and that was dropping the old stuff out it and refilling from scratch.

Craig321 · 11 Oct 2012 at 23:52

Scythe said:
Are you sure the coolant is compatible with your bike for a start?

I got some of this for mine, I think it only needed 2/3 litres and that was dropping the old stuff out it and refilling from scratch.

Yup. Haynes manual & Honda manual both say ethylene glycol based coolant free of silicate inhibitors made for aluminium engines which is what the Halfords Advanced stuff is.

Thanks for all the comments/help all

wazza300 · 12 Oct 2012 at 01:39

its all basically the same stuff,cars/trucks/motorbikes just stops the water from freezing and cracking the engine block in winter

Souleh · 12 Oct 2012 at 01:44

Craig321 said:
Thanks all. Better safe than sorry I suppose.

Once I've sorted the rest of the bike (rear disc, pads, etc.) I'll flush the coolant. £24.99 for 5l OAT coolant from Halfords + £3.99 for 5l distilled water isn't bad I guess.

If youre spending that much you might as well just get a bottle of silkolene ice cold or whatever its called. I run it in my race bike over winter.

Cant see why tesco coolant/antifreeze wouldnt do the job mind you. Cheap and cheerful but not going to risk your engine.