Where's the "Coolantology" Sticky?

[damanning71]

I checked the coolant level in my bike today and it was a little low. My manual says to use a 50/50 solution of Ethylene Glycol antifreeze/ distilled water.

Can I use regular 50/50 from the Auto Parts store? Or do I have to mix it myself? I need to go ahead and flush the whole system, since the color of the coolant is a little brownish.

Ya'll Ride Safe!

David.

[Spool]

Just make sure you use silicate/phosphate free coolant. The Prestone "mix with any color" coolant is a good choice.

[damanning71]

OK thanks Spool.

[rkforrest]

Or a Gallon of Honda stuff from the Car dealership if you have OCD as it is cheaper there

[Ragaroc]

I should probably dump the coolant and fill with fresh on my wife's '03 Spirit we just bought.

What's the reccomended mileage coolant change interval for 750 Honda Spirits?

[rkforrest]

24k according to my 03 Spirit 750 manual

[Ragaroc]

Thanx...The bike had approx 9500 miles on it, and it's full of coolant..so maybe I won't worry about it just yet.

What temperature does the little radiator fan come on?...I have yet to see the fan run on this bike

[MudholeMike]

Originally Posted by Ragaroc

Thanx...The bike had approx 9500 miles on it, and it's full of coolant..so maybe I won't worry about it just yet.

What temperature does the little radiator fan come on?...I have yet to see the fan run on this bike

I would suggest changing the coolant anyway. The bike is already almost ten years old and I would bet the coolant has never been changed.
I'm not sure what temp the fan comes on, since I don't have a coolant gauge on my bike. Mine usually comes on if I'm riding in city traffic in temps above 90 degrees F. That's the only time I ever notice it.

[MudholeMike]

Originally Posted by damanning71

I checked the coolant level in my bike today and it was a little low. My manual says to use a 50/50 solution of Ethylene Glycol antifreeze/ distilled water.

Can I use regular 50/50 from the Auto Parts store? Or do I have to mix it myself? I need to go ahead and flush the whole system, since the color of the coolant is a little brownish.

Ya'll Ride Safe!

David.

If your coolant is brownish in color, that' s an indication that there could be some rusting in the system. It for sure indicates that the coolant has not been changed in quite some time. I would definitely flush the system and replace the coolant.
As other posters have recommended, you can use any coolant that is silicate free. I personally use Honda's HP coolant as it is already premixed. It might be a bit more expensive, but you don't have to change your coolant all that often.

[John Hopkins]

Change the coolant, have you seen how hard it is to change a waterpump on a shadow..trust me, you don't want to do that unless you have to..If you don't know the history of the coolant it may have been replaced or topped up with water, this can lead to a build up of sludge in the bottom of the radiator which can insulate the thermal switch so that the fan doesn't turn on when it needs to..

look under the radiator, there is a plug that fits the thermal switch, (which looks like a large bolt) pull the plug off and touch it to the frame with the ignition turned on the fan should run.

The fan switches on at about 212 degrees F the thermal switch should read about 150 ohms cold and 30 ohms or less hot (that's when the fan switches on).

follow the instructions in the book for changing your coolant..it is very important.

note..a lot of coolants don't say they are silicate free..I don't take chances, I buy mine from a bike shop, marked For motorcycles..

John.