What kind of antifreeze should I use in this Yamaha?

What is cost effective, but still good quality and won't hurt the bike? From what I can tell, it needs a low silicate formula, but are there any specific brands that are good for an aluminum system?

Thanks!

I'm liking "Engine Ice".

Believe it or not, I think the Fan comes on less since using it.

Gath3r13 wrote:

I'm liking "Engine Ice".

Believe it or not, I think the Fan comes on less since using it.

Engine Ice ... I'll have go google it and find out where they sell it. Thanks.

zone47 wrote:

What is cost effective, but still good quality and won't hurt the bike?   From what I can tell, it needs a low silicate formula, but are there any specific brands that are good for an aluminum system?  

Thanks!

Page 7-16 of the owners manual specifies the coolant, Recommended antifreeze: High-quality ethylene glycol anti- freeze containing corrosion inhibitors for aluminum engines. You should be able to buy that inexpensively at any auto parts store.

Engine Ice is fine but not cost effective.

-morgan

morgan9283 wrote:

...Engine Ice is fine but not cost effective.

Cost effective is a relative term. Are there any definitive cooling comparisons ? A few degrees under severe conditions could avert cumulative damage... costly.

What is this "cost effective" of which you speak?  None of the 25+ bike that I've owned have been cost effective.  Why stop at the coolant?  

Well, first of all I need to figure out how to get the radiator cap off It seems to be stuck... I pressed down as hard as I could and it still won't twist off.

Anyway, I picked up some Prestone long life stuff supposedly good for anything. Silicate and phosphate free. I hope that is good enough.

You have to undo the locking screw on the cap before you can take it off, look closely and you will see it on the side.

Yup, theres a small screw. I tossed mine for easy maintenance.

Engine Ice is based on Propylene Glycol versus Ethylene Glycol which is sort of the standard engine coolant.

Both depress the freezing point of water and provide anti corrosion inhibitors.

What I see as a major selling point of propylene glycol is that it is non toxic to humans and animals - I have two knuckle head dogs that I worry about when ever I am changing engine coolant.

I was trying to look up some information (other than company propaganda) on how well the stuff cools when mixed with water. If I remember right from my days working with a major automotive company straight water is the best coolant in terms of cooling for an engine. But you run into issues with freezing and corrosion so additives were developed. I think that ethylene glycol is better at removing heat from the engine than propylene glycol but I am still trying to confirm that.

The fact that the radiator fan is not coming on as often may not be a good indicator of cooling efficiency since if the fluid is less efficient it would not carry heat away from the cylinder as effectively thereby the cylinder would run hotter but the coolant temperature would be depressed. This means the temperature switch on the rad fan would not see as high of a temperature thereby not turning on as often.

Fiftygrit wrote:

You have to undo the locking screw on the cap before you can take it off, look closely and you will see it on the side.

Oh sure enough .... I need to start wearing bifocals or something!!! Thanks!

Progressive lens`s work the best hahaha