Author |
Message |
Moosestang
| Posted on Tuesday, December 01, 2009 - 07:45 pm: |
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Is it safe to add car coolant of the same color? I assumed it was nothing special, but i'm almost positive that Harley will tell you to use only their coolant, lol! I added a 60/40 solutions of prestone and distilled water. |
Poppinsexz
| Posted on Tuesday, December 01, 2009 - 08:07 pm: |
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It is special in that it is made for dissimilar metals to reduce corrosion. regular AF is not made for that, but you can get the right kind. |
Prowler
| Posted on Tuesday, December 01, 2009 - 09:26 pm: |
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Hey, don't feel too bad you guys. My R came with an almost empty overflow bottle, but that was the good news. The engine oil was about a quart and a half low and the battery was stone dead when it was delivered. ........kinda sad, but upon notifying the dealer of the dead battery they came over, picked up the bike, put in a new battery and returned it. I took care of the oil and antifreeze issues. I learned a long time ago to double check everything after getting a vehicle from a dealer, new or serviced (car or bike...) |
Sknight
| Posted on Tuesday, December 01, 2009 - 11:01 pm: |
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I looked mine over the day after delivery and just checked the sight gauge, it never looked different. Got curious last weekend, pulled the pods off and my bottle was empty also. Guess that's why it never looked different. Topped it back up and so far so good. |
Avc8130
| Posted on Tuesday, December 01, 2009 - 11:15 pm: |
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Ok, 20 minutes blown searching...what kind of coolant does this bike take? I remember reading an anonymous post with some pertinent coolant info, but I can't find the darn post again. ac |
Vanslam
| Posted on Wednesday, December 02, 2009 - 03:34 pm: |
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I just check mine and the tank is empty but the radiator was filled. |
Moosestang
| Posted on Wednesday, December 02, 2009 - 05:25 pm: |
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The manual says to use only Genuine Harley Davidson extended life antifreeze and coolant. If you find yourself in a locations where genuine Harley Davidson antifreeze is not available, you may use 50/50 mix of de-ionized water and Ethylene Glycol-based antifreeze. |
Chadhargis
| Posted on Wednesday, December 02, 2009 - 05:27 pm: |
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Or if you find yourself doing a track day, then distilled water mixed with Water Wetter as per the bottle will work just fine too. |
Avc8130
| Posted on Wednesday, December 02, 2009 - 07:06 pm: |
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Anybody remember the warning in the "anonymous" post? I can't find it/remember it. ac |
Dhdjr
| Posted on Wednesday, December 02, 2009 - 07:20 pm: |
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Archive through July 07, 2009: Over Temp? (Water Wetter) |
Avc8130
| Posted on Wednesday, December 02, 2009 - 07:27 pm: |
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That be the one! Ethylene Glycol ONLY...NO propylene glycol. ac |
Vanslam
| Posted on Wednesday, December 02, 2009 - 07:32 pm: |
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Just got back from the closest dealer, purchased his last container ($20) and filled up my tank with Genuine Harley Davidson extended life antifreeze and coolant. This is the same stuff I use in my VROD. Now that it is full the viewing port in the pod is now bright orange and filled to the top. |
Avc8130
| Posted on Wednesday, December 02, 2009 - 07:41 pm: |
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Does the bottle say anywhere on it what type of coolant it is? I believe it HAS to because the contents are caustic. ac |
Dhdjr
| Posted on Wednesday, December 02, 2009 - 07:48 pm: |
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Yes it does, well marked as harmful. |
Avc8130
| Posted on Wednesday, December 02, 2009 - 07:55 pm: |
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So what type of coolant is it? ac |
José_quiñones
| Posted on Wednesday, December 02, 2009 - 07:56 pm: |
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Add me to the list, my overflow bottle was empty, the rads were full. |
Moosestang
| Posted on Wednesday, December 02, 2009 - 08:20 pm: |
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It is obviously Ethylene Glycol based, not sure what else you are trying to find out? |
Poppinsexz
| Posted on Wednesday, December 02, 2009 - 08:23 pm: |
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Ethylene Glycol Diethylene Glycol Sodium Benzoate Deionized water Thats what's in it. I would guess that any coolant that is safe for a car with aluminum heads. |
Avc8130
| Posted on Wednesday, December 02, 2009 - 08:28 pm: |
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THAT ^^^ is what I wanted to find out. FWIW propylene glycol is safe for aluminum heads...but NOT suggested for the 1125. ac |
Moosestang
| Posted on Wednesday, December 02, 2009 - 08:45 pm: |
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It is special in that it is made for dissimilar metals to reduce corrosion. regular AF is not made for that, but you can get the right kind. Really? Car engines don't have dissimilar metals in them? |
Poppinsexz
| Posted on Wednesday, December 02, 2009 - 09:01 pm: |
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Some do some don't. Ether way, that is the reasoning behind using the HD(hundert dollar) AF I think the key is the types of metals and the corosion that can form. However feel free to put in any type you want. It's your ride. |
Yugi
| Posted on Wednesday, December 02, 2009 - 11:55 pm: |
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I have a Super Tech coolant from Wal-Mart, which says: Water, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, sodiaum 2-ethyl hexanoate, sodium neodecanoate. I guess it's safe to use in 1125. |
Vanslam
| Posted on Thursday, December 03, 2009 - 12:14 am: |
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Just an FYI - I use to own a Light Sport Airplane with a Rotax 912 ULS engine. It was sensitive to Oil and Coolant level. There was a detailed Rotax process to checking the oil which had to be followed (burping engine) prior to each morning start up. As well as type and frequency of oil change based on other factors unique to aviation. If a oil shortage or overage was not addressed the engine would fail or engine life would be shortened. None of this happened to me but I have heard several stories from other owners. The coolant would also disappear over time during use requiring top-offs time to time(there were no leaks found.) Engine failures happened when incorrect fluid was used. I used Penzoils Dex-Cool Extended Life Antifreeze which was recommended by Rotax. I put over 100 hours (12,000 miles) on this plane in 1 year and never had a problem with the engine. |
Skntpig
| Posted on Thursday, December 03, 2009 - 09:17 am: |
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Just use oil (Message edited by skntpig on December 09, 2009) |
Keef
| Posted on Thursday, December 03, 2009 - 09:40 am: |
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you can use general motors extended life coolant just be sure to premix it 50 50 and use DEIONIZED water .. I work as a gm tech so that is what i have for use and it is good for multimetal motors |
Avc8130
| Posted on Thursday, December 03, 2009 - 09:51 am: |
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Isn't GM Extended Life PROPYLENE glycol? That was mentioned as BAD by an anonymous poster. ac |
Rkc00
| Posted on Thursday, December 03, 2009 - 10:01 am: |
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Those of you with the low levels what CT temps where you getting when riding. Mine varied fro 175f to 189f today. Mike Long Island, NY
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Freezerburn840
| Posted on Thursday, December 03, 2009 - 11:03 am: |
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I have some Honda 50/50 motorcycle coolant left. I am going to use that. |
Xl1200r
| Posted on Thursday, December 03, 2009 - 11:17 am: |
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Some do some don't. You go find me one water-cooled car engine that only uses a single type of metal in any part that the coolant comes in contact with and I'll give you my bike. Off the top of my head, blocks are made of cast iron or aluminum. Heads are the same, and sometimes mixed. Water pump impellers are not (at least any that I'm aware of) made of either and are generally steel. Head gaskets are typically copper or some other metal. There is nothing special about HD coolant. Go to AutoZone and buy a jug of their pre-mixed ethyl stuff and call it day. |
Poppinsexz
| Posted on Thursday, December 03, 2009 - 06:02 pm: |
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Xl1200r- Getting a little upset about this are you? Like I said, "feel free to put in any type you want. It's your ride." |