Coolant

[Valkansas]

Hello all, I got my Valk a couple months ago and it came without an owners manual and I haven't got one yet. Anyway what I'm wondering is what kind of coolant do I use. Also my coolant level in the radiator is a couple inches from the opening. Is this normal? I don't have a temp guage but this Valk feels like its running hotter than my first Valk. It had a 6 degree trigger wheel. Maybe that made it run a little cooler. I don't know. Anyway I appreciate any input.

[Sharkey]

Use a silicate free antifreze. I use Prestone. Mix it in a 50/50 mix with distilled water. Make sure it is silicate free or it will destroy the waterpump.

[Gryphon Rider]

And top up the rad as high as you can fill without spilling.

[john]

honda 50/50 is your best bet ...
'less you just have a need to monkey with it ... 

[humshark]

True!  Stick with the Honda fluid on this one.  It's hard to find silicate free automotive purposed antifreeze, and why take the chance on your Valk?

You didn't mention how many miles are on the bike.  Is it time to flush the system anyway? 

Fill the radiator to the top, and check your reservoir behind the left cover below your seat.  Monitor the reservoir after filling to see if you are losing fluid.  Talk to us again if you believe that you are.

[Hoser]

Links for silicate free antifreeze.   Hoser
www.peakantifreeze.com/peak_longlife.html
www.prestone.com/carcare/faq.php
shamrockchicago.com/ShellDexCool.html
www.pennzoil.com/antifreeze-and-coolants
www.havoline.com/products/na/antifreeze_01_tech.html
www.synlube.com/prod05.htm

[valk2128]

Honda Automotive antifreeze, available at the Honda Auto dealer comes in gallons, is a 50/50 premix, is silicate free, and is less expensive than buying quarts at the Honda motocycle dealer.

[rmrc51]

True!  Stick with the Honda fluid on this one.  It's hard to find silicate free automotive purposed antifreeze, and why take the chance on your Valk?

You didn't mention how many miles are on the bike.  Is it time to flush the system anyway? 

Fill the radiator to the top, and check your reservoir behind the left cover below your seat.  Monitor the reservoir after filling to see if you are losing fluid.  Talk to us again if you believe that you are.

What Humshark said!!! I only use the Honda mix!!!! 

[SCain]

What Sharkey said.
I believe all Prestone Antifreez is Silicate free, been using it for years. Mix with distilled water or buy the premixed stuff.

[98valk]

www.evanscooling.com    lifetime fluid

[swearnger]

I believe all Prestone Antifreez is Silicate free, been using it for years. Mix with distilled water or buy the premixed stuff.

Looking at the Prestone website, it appears only their long-life coolant is Silicate Free. But hey, if it is working for you..

[Master Blaster]

Heres the deal, the cooling system is a sealed unit.  If there is liquid in th recovery tank the radiator should be full up to the neck, unless there is a leak to atmosphere.  Usually it is the radiator cap top seal thats not sealing.  Just had this on my buds bike.  Use non silicate 50% mix with distilled water.  I use Havoline Dex Cool, the extended life orange stuff.  The way it works is when it heats up the expanding fluid lifts the spring loaded seal in the middle of thecap and pushes fluid into the overflow tank.  As it cools it draws the fluid back into the radiator, thus keeping it topped off.  If the cap is not sealing corectly it will push the fluid into the recovery tank and not draw it back, eventually it will pump most of the fluid out of the radiator, and the recovery tank wil fill and overflow.  Sometimes in this scenario the cap will leak coolant outside, and sometime it wont.  Also if there is a leak anywhere else the same thing can happen.  The lack of seal in the cap can be either the top rubber cracked or deteriorated, or the radiator neck being deformed where the cap seals.  Stock the cap has a set screw in the side that you must remove before turning the cap.  Otherwise you can damage the neck of the radiator.  Once the setscrew is removed, discard it, its not necessary.  If there is a leak somewhere besides the cap, you should be able to see evidence of it and also smell it.

[humshark]

Lots of great information - My idea that silicate free antifreeze was difficult to find was based on a trip years ago to find silicate free stuff @ wally world.  I remember being confused and not really finding anything I felt safe with.

You guys have done the leg work for us and I am appreciative.  Sounds like most of the extended life stuff is silicate free.  I'll stick to the suggestions here on the board.  With new Hondaline stuff in the tank less than 5k ago, i should be good for awhile!

[F6Dave]

It is true, the Valk must have silicate free coolant or the water pump seals will be destroyed in no time.

I've been using Havoline Extended Life (silicate free) for 190,000 combined miles on my 2 Valks and the pumps are still fine.  It used to be that only the extended life coolants were silicate free, but I bought some regular Prestone at Wal Mart recently for my truck and the label said it was now silicate free, too!  It looks like the industry is getting rid of the silicates because more and more engine specs require that.

The Honda stuff is fine, but WAY over-priced.  Better to spend that money on chrome or beer.