Engine coolant

[True Blue]

Might sound like a stupid question but should I check the coolant level when the engine is hot or cold?

The reason I ask is that I thought the level on my bike was low as it was way below the low level mark. I then started the bike up and left it running for a while and I noticed that the level had risen and it was now sitting between the high and low level mark.

Is this right?https://pages.prodigy.net/indianahawkeye/newpage22/14.gif

Another thing. At what temperature should the radiator fan kick in?

Cheers

Ritchie.
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[Dup]

When its cold. You will see lots of warnings!

Fill it to between the high and low levels. They aren't at the top for a reason you've just said. It pushes back up to the top. So over-filling could lead to a bit of a bang and hot liquid everywhere.

Should i just put water in my DNA's?

[PsychoHippy]

Always check it when the engine is cool. When it warms up the liquid expands - it's physics you see
As for the fan, that changes from bike to bike. The V-Raptor fan comes on at about 98 degrees, but the Benelli fans kick in at about 90 degrees.
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I spend all my money on bikes and beer, the rest I simply waste!

[True Blue]

[True Blue]

Right, here's another schoolboy question.

The antifreeze in my bike is greeny blue ish and the stuff I got from Halfords is red, What's the story there ?

What colour should it be?

Cheers
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[mr jamez]

Well I have never come across red antifreeze, however anti freeze is anti freeze you mix it with water and bung it in are you just topping the cooland levels up? if so I would just put water in if it is only a little bit low.

[True Blue]

topping it up but it's way low so I was going to mix some up
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[PsychoHippy]

If it's really low, then mixing some of the new antifreeze with it will be fine.
You would get away with just using water at this time of year anyway, but you would need to remember to put some antifreeze in before winter comes aroud
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I spend all my money on bikes and beer, the rest I simply waste!

[Kickstart]

Hi

Anti freeze also contains corrosion inhibitors, which are rather important in an alloy engine.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[PsychoHippy]

[mr.z]

Mate of mine runs his trike with neat coolant, never had a problem for years.. not tryed it myself but interesting yes?

The reason you should be EXTREMELY careful when checking the coolant level if its warm is... Your cooling system is presureised, the coolants boiling point is raised (say from 100 to 200 or something??) so when you depresureise the system the boiling point lowers again so when you take the cap off the coolant boils and is generally not a good thing.

As for colours, they do make it in different colours, if your changing your coolant it is good to know when you have old or new coolant coming out, maybe?

One other thing, make sure to use de-ionised water, normal tap water will do your cooling system/waterpump/pipes no good at all...
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>RidingSkills<->Tech Tips<->MyBikes<

[True Blue]

Cheers all. I've got my distilled water and pink antifreeze. SO your saying it's alright to mix then/? The colour doesn't indicate a different type then?

This is the stuff I bought. Anyone used it?
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[Kickstart]

[Hex]