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TECHNICAL MOTOBRICK WRENCHING In Remembrance of Inge K. => The Motobrick Workshop => Topic started by: alexg on March 18, 2018, 04:13:33 PM

Title: Coolant with Low silicate content: how damaging?
Post by: alexg on March 18, 2018, 04:13:33 PM
Dear all:
By mistake, I refilled the system with Low Silicate coolant (Older car formula I use for an older bike I have), instead of the newer Prestone formula. How damaging is this for one season? I hate to do the whole coolant flushing again, but looking to hear from the common wisdom of this prestigious forum.


Thanks,


AlexG
Title: Re: Coolant with Low silicate content: how damaging?
Post by: woodgeek on March 18, 2018, 04:20:39 PM
I thought we were supposed to use low silicate in our bricks.
Title: Re: Coolant with Low silicate content: how damaging?
Post by: johnny on March 18, 2018, 04:52:55 PM
greetings...

you will go to he11 if you use anything other than bmw coolant...

i use prestone 50 50 yellow stuff... aints never had a coolant related problem... the orange stuff supposedly will initiate whack...

j o

(http://media.supercheapauto.com.au/scanz/images/zooms/106427-zoom.jpg)
Title: Re: Coolant with Low silicate content: how damaging?
Post by: stokester on March 18, 2018, 05:04:32 PM
Quote from: alexg on March 18, 2018, 04:13:33 PM
Dear all:
By mistake, I refilled the system with Low Silicate coolant (Older car formula I use for an older bike I have), instead of the newer Prestone formula. How damaging is this for one season? I hate to do the whole coolant flushing again, but looking to hear from the common wisdom of this prestigious forum.


Thanks,


AlexG
There are a number of threads dealing with the coolant issue and its effect on the radiator and impeller shaft.  Is the type of coolant responsible for the negative effects?  Not sure but the owner's manual on my '93 K75S states -> Caution   Use only antifreeze and corrosion inhibitors free of nitrite!


What I do know and follow is Bob Fleischer's advice and do not use a coolant with nitrates, phosphates, silicates and borates.  The current Prestone long-life fits this requirement and is available at most local auto parts stores.  I did a quick look at the coolant types in my home shop and found that the ingredients were not always clear so I continue to use the Prestone.
Title: Re: Coolant with Low silicate content: how damaging?
Post by: woodgeek on March 18, 2018, 05:25:20 PM
Quote from: johnny on March 18, 2018, 04:52:55 PM
you will go to he11 if you use anything other than bmw coolant...

j o
[emoji15][emoji33][emoji24][emoji23]
Title: Re: Coolant with Low silicate content: how damaging?
Post by: Laitch on March 18, 2018, 05:29:51 PM
Quote from: alexg on March 18, 2018, 04:13:33 PM
By mistake, I refilled . . .  looking to hear from the common wisdom of this prestigious forum.
Quote from: woodgeek on March 18, 2018, 04:20:39 PM
I thought we were supposed to use low silicate in our bricks.
The recommended coolant for Bricks is any long-life coolant. Long-life coolant has no silicates; it has no nitrites. This type of coolant is classified as OAT. HOAT is acceptable, too, depending upon its constituents. Yellow and amber can seem almost the same colors if viewed through a glaze of weed butter. GOATs don't figure into any of this.

Anyway, read all about them here (http://www.coolantexperts.com/coolant_overview/oat_coolant). In addition to breakdown of their protection during extended use, nitrites in coolant will tend to darken the coolant reservoir level gauge tubes in early K-bikes, rendering them useless. That is one reason why BMW specifically cautions against coolant that contains nitrites.

Maybe the common wisdom of this prestigious forum should be pay close attention to the task at hand. That would ruin all the fun though. :giggles
Title: Re: Coolant with Low silicate content: how damaging?
Post by: alexg on March 20, 2018, 09:55:06 PM
Laitch, thanks for the reply, very instructive. Will have to change the fluid at some point this season then.


AlexG.