Coolant (Antifreeze)

[Joe Rocket]

I plan an in depth service on my bike this winter including changing coolant. I only want to use the correct grade/specification  and if I use an ethylene glycol based antifreeze car product it's suitable for motorcycles I've read.

Any advice or comments folks? 

[Upt North]

Mr.Rocket.
I'm pretty new to the VStrom but previously I've always used Honda Type 2.
Buy it from a car franchise in a large container instead of motorcycle outlets where the bottles are smaller and more expensive.
Good luck.
Upt'North.

[Upt North]

https://www.arnoldclarkautoparts.com/products/genuine-Honda-type-2-antifreeze-5-litres-pre-mixed-08clag02me1?variant=40868382572697&currency=GBP&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gclid=Cj0KCQjw166aBhDEARIsAMEyZh40aHhiHlFDDs8Sj_BAG0-90w8gJtQpq_Vreg8atFWh4Qj4xOPb8REaAhCOEALw_wcB

[Ianmc]

    Don’t forget you must use silicate free antifreeze in your bike due to the amount of ally in your bike engine.I use Halfords Oat antifreeze concentrate and mix it 50/50 with distilled water.

[Joe Rocket]

Thanks Upt North. That's car antifreeze then, Honda's own labelled brand.

The manual states: "50% distilled water, 50% silicate-free corrosion inhibited ethylene glycol antifreeze".
The handbook states (translates): "Suzuki Super Long Life Coolant. If not use a glycol based antifreeze compatible with aluminium radiators diluted 50/50 with distilled water."

Both those descriptions are pretty vague to me or is it because it's all basically the same stuff?

I want to use C&C Automotive -25° yellow antifreeze Type D/G12, ready to use. It's a base of mono ethylene glycol with anti corrosive additives, a Universal product for use with all petrol and deisel engines......it says.

[Barbel Mick]

I use the same as Ianmc.

[Joe Rocket]

Ianmc and BM, vu. 

[Upt North]

It's not "car" antifreeze, it's just antifreeze and you can buy the identical product in 1 litre containers for motorcycles, but it's still not motorcycle antifreeze, it's just antifreeze. The only difference is price.
Upt'North.

[mr_diver]

If it's suitable for aluminium engines and ethylene glycol based it's fine.

I once got asked if Silkolenes Mag Cool (pink in colour) would be compatible with the Castrol's motorcycle coolant (blue).
Silkolene said - "it'll be fine - they are both ethylene glycol based antifreeze, but it'll become a nasty brown colour with the different colour dyes mixing."

[endintears]

What you shouldn't do it would seem is mix IAT type with OAT type coolant.
Turns to a sort of sludge apparently 

[Rixington43]

Yes it does, causes horrific problems, seen it done in classic Saab's.
As for the Strom, I just treat her to the genuine Suzuki Super Coolant stuff, she's worth the extra tenner every few years.

[Joe Rocket]

I just got a feeling of understanding and endintears comes along with some 'type' reference I've not seen in my own searching. 

I did also say at the beginning I was changing the coolant not topping it up. 

Rixington43. What an extra tenner?! I don't want to spend more than a fiver on it........ 

[Rixington43]

 
Nothing but the best for my old lady, she gets fully synth too and bugger the expense

[endintears]

Halfords Silicate Antifreeze Concentrate 2 Litres | Halfords UK
Halfords OAT Ready Mixed Antifreeze 2 Litres | Halfords UK
https://www.halfords.com/motoring/engine-oils-and-fluids/antifreeze/halfords-oat-ready-mixed-antifreeze-2-litres-530840.html
https://www.halfords.com/motoring/engine-oils-and-fluids/antifreeze/halfords-silicate-antifreeze-concentrate-2-litres-147777.html
IAT is the silicate antifreeze that you have been advised not to use as opposed to OAT that
is the silicate free that you have been advised is the correct one to use.
So now you should have an even greater feeling of understanding, every day's a school day 
Oh and being pedantic as to the changing vs topping up thing and even though it might not matter in your case if you don't flush every last bit out of the system with clean water (hosepipe) by definition the new will be mixed with the old.

[Joe Rocket]

Thanks for the product data but I've not seen Halfords over here. Those references are the first time I've seen them so, yes, that's new to me. 

I've seen types C, D, G 11, 12 and 12+ used in general info on antifreeze.

Silicate based antifreeze was used for older engines I believe, back in the 90's and before.

As you say "every day's a school day.

Edit: good spot there endintears....... 

[pichulec]

I use this: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/331866394113

[Joe Rocket]

Thanks endintears and pichulec for the links.

They are expensive to me, I won't pay that amount for simple necessities if they are no different to all the rest. 

 

[endintears]

Found what I've used in the past.

[Megashorts]

You could just use the Suzuki stuff:

SUPER LONG LIFE COOLANT 990E0-59J44-000 (was 9900-99032-20X) (now 990F0-59J44-EC1)