Coolant type, what is safe?

[ridingred]

So I know most guys are running engine ice or water wetter, or honda coolant. My question is, i've got a small leak in my radiator down by where the hose connects. It is not enough to cause me to lose to much coolant, but i can smell it and i do see drips occassionally.

Since we are going to Badlands this weekend i wanted to see what coolant i can add to this in order to top it off. I have plenty of regular green anti freeze in my garage that i would to use to top it off. When i put the new radiator in i plan to refill with engine ice, but for now can i keep it topped off with the green stuff?

It hasn't lost very much coolant, but in case i do see the resevoir low, i'd like to have some on hand.

 

[Deven]

I know they tell you to make sure your system is completely flushed of green coolant when going to engine ice. I'm not sure if it is not compatible (would be my guess) or if they want the full effect. I personally would just pick up a bottle of distilled water and add that if needed

 

[hoser]

Regular coolant has silicon silicates in it which is basically minute particles of grit. It will eat away at your mechanical seal. It is recommended to run coolant that is free of silicon silicates. Pro Honda Coolant is what I use.

 

[ridingred]

ok mine is actually silicate free after looking at the bottle so i should be good. May just do what HQ said and run distilled water for the time being, now that winter is gone.

the silicates are great for aluminum blocks, but apparently they do cause **** on the water pump seals over time.

 

[Phantom Z]

x2 on the distilled water until you replace the radiator

Is the leak actually on the spout of the radiator?

 

[ridingred]

yeah the leak is on the bottom right (while sitting on the quad) of the radiator. Right where that hose from the water pump goes in. it was probably a stick or something that caused it, but it's very small i know that. I haven't actually found a crack or anything so it's either inside the fins up above that spout or it's the hose or somthing else causing it, but i know it's coming out right there cuz i don't see coolant anywhere else on the radiator. I mean it's an 05, and it sat for years before i go it, so there's a good chance it oxidized and rusted through.

 

[Phantom Z]

Have you tried just replacing the hose? I would think it would be a worth ruling that out before buying another radiator

 

[ridingred]

i haven't yet replaced the hose, but i went ahead and ordered some of these last night cuz i like the color anyway

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Honda-TRX450R-TRX-450R-TRX-Pro-Factory-Radiator-Hose-Kit-Red-2006-2011-NEW-/230673006847?pt=Motors_ATV_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item35b52ec0ff#ht_2959wt_1110

 

[Phantom Z]

Nice:gr_cool: Improved looks with the possibility of diverting a radiator swap? I say **** yeah!!!

 

[ridingred]

welp, swapped the hoses out and i've still got a leak. I do'nt know where the **** it's coming from. AFter i first start it up and ride around to get it warm, there will be steam coming up from under the steering stem by where the resevoir is. Then it will give a couple drops of coolant that land on the frame. Then if I ride the rest of the day it won't leak any coolant and it won't steam anymore.....i'm at a loss. This is all after flushing the system and putting new hoses on with HP coolant.

I'm gonna keep riding it, because it's not overheating and the leak is not big enough for me to have to ad coolant much.

I'll keep my eyes peeled for a good used radiator, the tiny leak is more annoying than anything.

while i'm on topic of radiator leaks. I've had my vehicle radiator jb welded for about the past year, and it finally decided to bust loose while i was hauling the trailer this weekend. Squirted all the coolant out while stopped at a light (totally douched the car in front of me), had to pull of and refill until i got to the riding spot, re welded it while out there, i hope this one holds too!

 

[bvet4dog]

****. That blows.

Here's my 2 cents. I would keep a couple distilled water bottles in your vehicle for that and your toy. Better to be safe than sorry. Could you show a few pics of the leak? Just for us to view, maybe some new answers will show up. I have a feeling your radiator might need replacing. You mentioned it's an 05 and has sat for a long time. I could be wrong, just speculating from your statements.

Also, I'm compelled to point you to Engine Ice for radiator coolant. I made a switch from the old honda fluid to engine ice last week. I'm very pleased with this product. It was pricey in my local shop, however others have said the longevity / performance speaks for itself.

So far my 450 loves me more because i feed it with rotella and keep it cool with engine ice

 

[ridingred]

i don't use engine ice. i've read studies about this stuff over the past 10 years, when i first got my cbr i was researching it and used to run it, until i found that it doesn't really keep temps cooler and in certain scenarios temps actually rise. If anybody wants to argue, i can dig up the link to the test that were done, but i'm lazy right now.

I run HP coolant, it's what my manual calls for and it seems to work fine. I don't have a pic of the leak because i don't know where the **** it is, it might actually be coming from the reservoir, i honestly can't tell. I'll get my plastics off this week and see if i can find the spot, it's so small it may be hard to find. All i know is wherever it's leaking it ends up dripping to the bottom of the radiator and then dripping down onto the frame.

i've always got a gallon of water in my car as well as a gallon of antifreeze for the CRV, i wouldn't leave home without it, lol.

 

[El Mamito USMC]

i run regular coolant on mine but im going to change to destiled water with

http://www.offtopic.forum/uploads/imported/2012/05/Redline_waterwetter-1.jpg

i got the royal purple one but ill change it eventually..