rock hopper Posted June 19, 2007 Report Share Posted June 19, 2007 Has anyone tired the cooling additives that they have to make the cooling system run cooler (redline etc) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
copemech Posted June 21, 2007 Report Share Posted June 21, 2007 Since it seems there has been no response on this topic, I will give you m2c. Not neccessary nor would I expect it to be signifigantly better than a proper 50/50 mix of ethyline glygol based(green) antifreeze and distilled water from your auto parts store. Stay away from the long life(HOAT orange) 5yr coolants in the bike! The corrosion inhibitors in the normal stuff are rated at three years service life. Half of that is much more reasonable, as you do not want things to corrode in the cooling system. Intermittant use is another issue. I normally change it on an annual basis during maintenance, as it is a simple drain and fill. On the other hand, I doubt there is anything wrong with some of the specialty fluids out there, such as "water wetter", and it is sold in small quantities(quart or 1000ml bottles which is convenient). In a pinch, any liquid that will get you back to camp will work(beer, wine, creek water), just flush it out when you get back! Al B. know more about the science of this than I do. But you would need to hear his side! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alan bechard Posted June 21, 2007 Report Share Posted June 21, 2007 Somehow I feel baited... Yes, they work. No, they generally are not needed on a trials bike. The cooling systems, when operating correctly are pretty good. Most, work by breaking the surface tension of the water is my understanding, allowing a better contact of the coolant with the fins of the radiator. Basicaly a surfactant I believe. On some bikes cars etc. it can be a noticable improvement, particularly in a marginal cooling system. I use Redlines Water Wetter as it is readilly available at the race car shops etc. when I feel it is appropriate. I mix to label directions when using it. It does not take much. Any high quality antifreeze (I prefer a standard EG with standard chemistry) mixed with high quality DI or distilled or some other form of "pure" (read mineral free) water mixed to an apppropriate ratio (usually 50 / 50) As Mark said, annual change and flush is cheap and easy. Something like the Maxxima coolanol or other RTU is a great, handy, easy way of doing it. And yes Mark I can emphaticly state that an RMX 250 when on the side of a mountain in Tellico TN Lost, and off the trail, dragging two NON riding NY boys on thier "FAST" KTM's lets just say that certain bodily type fluids will get you down of the mountain at midnight in the dark with no lights....... without further overheating till you can get to a church and add a more appropriate Mtn Water coolant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
copemech Posted June 23, 2007 Report Share Posted June 23, 2007 How did I know a story like that was coming up Al ? Brian is already making fun because I cannot manage to pee on a tree, no less hit a Sherco radiator! I still like it though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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