using car anti-freeze in a bike?
10-01-2008, 11:47 AM
#1
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using car anti-freeze in a bike?
Hey guys, has anyone used a regular 50/50 car anti-freeze in a bike? I was told it was ok to do so... so I filled it up, but it keeps dissapearing. There are no leaks, but it just seems like I keep adding more and more of it and it just goes away. I'm wondering if it has anything to do with the anti-freeze itself. I'm going to be switching to a bike specific one, I'm wondering if there could be any defects after using a car anti-freeze. Thanks!!
10-01-2008, 12:29 PM
#3
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Re: using car anti-freeze in a bike?
Well I was in the process of replacing the radiator. Now that I'm done, I filled it with this 50/50 anti-freeze... I only rode a few time with it. It seems to not get hot. However, I don't know where the coolant disappears.
10-01-2008, 02:04 PM
#6
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Re: using car anti-freeze in a bike?
you might have a very small hole at the top of the radiator and it wont leak or drip but it will let out steam and that will cause your coolant level to drop ..
10-01-2008, 02:38 PM
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Re: using car anti-freeze in a bike?
10-01-2008, 02:42 PM
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10-01-2008, 07:23 PM
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Re: using car anti-freeze in a bike?
Anti-freeze is anti-freeze. There is no such thing as "motorcycle specific". Some companies may have motorcycle antifreeze, but it is only a label.
Personally, I prefer to use Japanese antifreeze form Toyota. It's the red stuff. It contains additives that are non-corrosive to aluminum. There are American manufactures that just recently (past few years) started using this non-corrosive additive but I don't know them off the top of my head.
If you have "burped" the system, and you don't see any external leaks, then you are losing the coolant internally.
Most common cause is a leaking head gasket or a cracked cylinder. Not trying to be an alarmist, but keep an eye on the coolant level. If it is continuing to decrease, then you need to start doing some in depth checking.
The coolant is going somewhere....it just does not "disappear".
Personally, I prefer to use Japanese antifreeze form Toyota. It's the red stuff. It contains additives that are non-corrosive to aluminum. There are American manufactures that just recently (past few years) started using this non-corrosive additive but I don't know them off the top of my head.
If you have "burped" the system, and you don't see any external leaks, then you are losing the coolant internally.
Most common cause is a leaking head gasket or a cracked cylinder. Not trying to be an alarmist, but keep an eye on the coolant level. If it is continuing to decrease, then you need to start doing some in depth checking.
The coolant is going somewhere....it just does not "disappear".
10-02-2008, 08:02 AM
#13
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Re: using car anti-freeze in a bike?
Anti-freeze is anti-freeze. There is no such thing as "motorcycle specific". Some companies may have motorcycle antifreeze, but it is only a label.
Personally, I prefer to use Japanese antifreeze form Toyota. It's the red stuff. It contains additives that are non-corrosive to aluminum. There are American manufactures that just recently (past few years) started using this non-corrosive additive but I don't know them off the top of my head.
If you have "burped" the system, and you don't see any external leaks, then you are losing the coolant internally.
Most common cause is a leaking head gasket or a cracked cylinder. Not trying to be an alarmist, but keep an eye on the coolant level. If it is continuing to decrease, then you need to start doing some in depth checking.
The coolant is going somewhere....it just does not "disappear".
Personally, I prefer to use Japanese antifreeze form Toyota. It's the red stuff. It contains additives that are non-corrosive to aluminum. There are American manufactures that just recently (past few years) started using this non-corrosive additive but I don't know them off the top of my head.
If you have "burped" the system, and you don't see any external leaks, then you are losing the coolant internally.
Most common cause is a leaking head gasket or a cracked cylinder. Not trying to be an alarmist, but keep an eye on the coolant level. If it is continuing to decrease, then you need to start doing some in depth checking.
The coolant is going somewhere....it just does not "disappear".
10-02-2008, 09:04 PM
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