Ok, so I am planning on flushing my cooling system here soon. I need to know what kind of coolant to use. I have heard of Engine Ice, but have also heard their is two kinds of coolant, the orange and the green and each one is for different kinds of blocks.

I read how to flush the cooling system which said to drain the fluids, fill with 50% vinegar and 50% distilled water. Then to run the bike for a few minutes, ride it a little bit to warm it up, then drain and refill with fluids. Is this safe? Anyone know a better way?

 

you don't need to do the 50/50 mix of water and vinegar if you don't suspect much build up of gunk. yes vinegar is safe to use because it's not harsh like the car stuff on the internals of the bike's system yet gets the job done. i just go with water and water wetter. others use engine ice and water mix (not premixed so don't forget water). if you need to winterize the bike, don't forget to change back to coolant/antifreeze later, or just run HP premixed stuff.

i haven't seen the orange stuff for bikes...but i've learned to stay away from the orange stuff for cars...

 

i can smell the coolant, it smells like syrup when hot. probably pretty grimey so i am going to flush it with the 50/50. as far as winter, im in southern texas so it doesnt get cold until january, so i think i am good for a while. thanks tahoe.

 

I'd recommend a second or third flush with just distilled water as well, there will be a lot of vinegar left over after the first time. You probably don't need to get it up to operating temperature, just run it for a min. or so in between each.

 

Forget the vinigar!! just put 50/50 DISTILLED WATER/ANTIFREEZE, the distillled water stops the furring up of the alluminium components and the antifreeze has all the other corrosion inhibitors in it to protect your engins inners, It's what Honda reccomend you won't go far wrong if you stick to this method

 

yes you have to get all the vinegar out...
mike, we're talking about actually cleaning up the insides of the system...the gunk that's left behind by water/coolant/antifreeze. we aren't talking about running it with water and vinegar!!!

 

My mistake & yes you have to give it a good flush out the vinegar is too acidic

 

alright, thanks guys.

 

Just for info, i looked at engine ice today at the kawi shop and they had a 1/2 gallon of engine ice that said not to add water, already diluted===only $19.00

-Adam

 

i'd go with water/water wetter. the bottle is like 7 bucks and you only need a few capfuls.