coolant

[racer x]

I am preping my bike for the April meet . I was woundering if there is a specific coolant requirement. Like engine ice or water wetter or just plain water. Thanks

[DahMurf]

There's no requirement. Be aware of course that any type of glycol product is extremely slippery on a back tire.
This of course is most relevant on turbo bikes that are more prone to bubble over the overflow tank.
Water wetter and cool-aid are examples of glycol free products. I think the engine ice might be glycol based.

A positive seal on the overflow cap can help prevent small pressurization leaks. Here's an example of a simple
way to seal the overflow cap.


Deb

[bak189]

JEG'S sells some very nice alum. coolant over-flow
containers, W/drain

We have been using Engine- Ice for years now......and it works great.......Don't know if it has
glycol...................................................

[Cajun Kid]

Do you use wetter water or engine ice  with tap water or distilled water in an aluminum radiator?  or can you just add it to your 50/50 anti freeze/coolant mix?

Charles

[DahMurf]

Do you use wetter water or engine ice  with tap water or distilled water in an aluminum radiator?  or can you just add it to your 50/50 anti freeze/coolant mix?

Charles

Charles,
 I think it depends on your application and what you're trying to accomplish. If you're trying to get away from the glycol then you don't want to add it to anti-freeze as anti-freeze typically has glycol.
I think most of those products are concentrated so you should be adding some water. The bottle should indicate this.
If I remember correctly, adding distilled water & water wetter together for turbo bike use is not a good idea. (not sure if it's the same with a turbo car?) Something about the distilled water reacting to the minerals in the metal of the engine. You can talk to Walt K (TURBO KING) about his repeated "showers" with his turbo bike that helped him figure that one out.
My understanding of the original intent of these mixtures is to aid in keeping engine temps down. How effective it would be combined with anti-freeze I really don't know. I think I'd go one way or the other not both.
If you do some internet searches you can find each products web site & read up.
We've been using cool-aid in my bike but mostly because we were "required" to last year.
Deb

[wolbrink471]

I don't know anything about turbo motors, but if you are strictly worried about an aluminum radiator and water-wetter you should use distilled water.

tap water has minerals that will corrode the aluminum, distilled does not

Mark

[bak189]

Engine-Ice.....use it straight....no mixing with water.....will not hurt Alum.....as much as 25 to 35
degrees lower Temp......plus very low freezing,
don't have to drain system during winter while parked in cold shop or trailer............................

[racer x]

WOW Thank you all for the replys. I have already purchased the engine-ice . I just wanted to make sure it is OK to us. The bike is new and running in the P/P class. Overheating should not be a problem. My over flow and rad cap are the screw down style.I will wire tie them . Thank 's for the help.Eric

[Cajun Kid]

Yep my main concern for engine ice was, is it safe for aluminum?  Sounds like it is?  Thanks. I wanted something thay would work and provide better cooling properties than conventional glycol based coolants/anti freeze.

Where can I find this Engine Ice and does it come in gallons ?

Charles

[Sumner]

Yep my main concern for engine ice was, is it safe for aluminum?  Sounds like it is?  Thanks. I wanted something thay would work and provide better cooling properties than conventional glycol based coolants/anti freeze.

Where can I find this Engine Ice and does it come in gallons ?

Charles

I was interested until I saw the price......... I think about $80 for 2 gallons.  Maybe not bad for a bike but with our current 18 gal. tank and that we are trying to take it to 30 gallons I think more than we can handle for a car.

c ya,

Sum

[Cajun Kid]

Holy Crap Sum,  I am with you..at 80 bucks a gallon,, it sure is not priced to fill up a car radiator !!!... Think the old 50/50 mix of Prestone and Distilled water will have to do...

[1 fast evo 2]

I have been racing for quite a long time and I can tell you that the reason NOT to run water and anti freeze is first safety(it is very slippery if it gets on your tires-or someone else's there could be a whole lot of trouble) and the main reason is to keep the track clean-anti freeze will not evaporate.

I usually look at it like this-if your vehicle is stock run whatever you want- the more power you throw at it it is more likely to overheat or pop something and therefore you should run water and a product like water wetter for lubrication and a little better cooling. Just make sure it isn't going to freeze with the water in it.
Most racing organizations do not even want you to go down the track with antifreeze in the car.

[Cajun Kid]

I got ya... I have used water wetter before and will use distilled water and water wetter. (I keep my shop 50 degrees in the winter, so freezing should not be a problem)  If its cooler out than 50 degrees my cars don't leave the shop anyway.

Thanks for the heads up.

Charles

[racer x]

I have herd of a car that used water weter and the AC system frose the heater core. Don't have that problem on a motorcycle. Tucker rockey has engine ice for 19.99 a half gallon. Not bad if yo only ned 2 quarts

[landracing]

MAN I FORGOT TO DRAIN THE WATER FROM MY ENGINE OVER THE WINTER....

Then i remembered doesn't really matter since there is a rod sticking out the front of the motor.

Jon