Triumphrat

BillBo

Having trouble finding motorcycle specific antifreeze here in New Zealand, most of the motorcycle dealers seem to use antifreeze designed for automotive use, or just corrosion inhibitors (for offroad use).
Some of these auto products claim to offer good aluminium protection, anticavitation etc, for up 250,000 km. Should I use one of these? or should I try and get the right stuff? :???:

MickMaguire

Automotive is fine, so long as you drain and flush the system first. You also need to make sure you get one that is silicate and phosphate free.

[ This message was edited by: MickMaguire on 2005-06-06 06:20 ]

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Mick...

Just remember; an awful lot of the free advice you will get on forums is worth exactly what you paid for it. There will always be somebody trying to convince you to do something really stupid, just because they did it or want to do it.

SWare

The orange stuff like GM Dexcool is phosphate free. Says do right on the bottle.
I think most of the green antifreeze contains phosphates. Could be some that don't but it should say on the labeling.

stan

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Dexcool is defective and has been killing the engines it's been installed in for years. I highly suggest you avoid it.

http://www.cwcd.com/CM/ClassActions/ClassActions35.asp

vwvectors

Does the silicate & phosphate work together to damage the engine ? How does phosphate hurt the cooling system does it pit the aluminum or something ? What does Triumph put in the radiators at the factory ?

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Gdsila

Oh,Great! I just put Dex-cool in both my bikes like 3 months ago. Guess I'll have to change it out ASAP

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Beemie

Before you panic, do a search on corvetteforum about Dexcool.
I believe that issues arise if you Mix with conventional. Something about turning to sludge.

Neither my Vette nor Tahoe have spilled their guts, and there was no recall.

[ This message was edited by: Beemie on 2005-06-08 21:12 ]

BillBo

Thats part of the problem, most manufacturers of auto antifreeze don't mention what it does or does'nt contain (apart from the base is usually ethylene glycol)

Gdsila

Hey Beemie, thanks for the comforting words! I am leaving for Americade in a few hours and was kinda freaking a bit.
When I changed the coolant I didn't really "flush" the system that well but I dont think what was left in the bike(of the old coolant) is enough to cause any adverse reaction.
P.S. I was sorta thinking of switching to "Engine Ice" for the Speed Triple anyway the S3 is known to run a bit hot ,and Engine Ice is supposed to be for race applications.

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MickMaguire

I've been using dexcool for over a year with no problems. Those that are silicate and phosphate free usually say so, those that aren't usually dont say anything. From what I hear the problem is that these compounds affect the seals in the water pump.

I am pretty sure that you dont get sludge if you mix dexcool with the blue Triumph premix as I dont recall any warnings about compatibility (other than silicates and phosphates) for top-up in the manual. But I shoudl point out I have never actually tried it! I think some reports of this may be confusion with the red coolants that some manufacturers like VW uses (are these related to engine ice perchance?), they will sludge up if you mix them with regular anti freeze.

[ This message was edited by: MickMaguire on 2005-06-09 07:44 ]

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Mick...

Just remember; an awful lot of the free advice you will get on forums is worth exactly what you paid for it. There will always be somebody trying to convince you to do something really stupid, just because they did it or want to do it.