Bike coolant

[Marcg868]

Basically my CBR 125's coolant is running just below the Min mark. What i want to know is, what the hell is distilled water?? I have to put 50/50 Distilled Water/Anti Freeze in it.

Help please, i know its stupid.......... but oh well.
____________________
JACK, MISS YOU LOADS YOU LEGEND.

[Superlight]

It's basically just pure water, distilling removes the impurities (like the stuff that fouls up the inside of kettles) so it's better for the inside of your engine. Distilling is how they concentrate the alcohol in whisky too, but don't use that as coolant

Personally I use anti-freeze and tap water, but if you want to use distilled water most car accessory shops should have it.
____________________
You only need two tools: WD-40 and Duct Tape.
If it doesn't move but should, use the WD-40.
If it shouldn't move but does, use the Duct Tape.

[Marcg868]

What about Morrisons better buy still water will that work better than tap water?? Dont want to cock up my baby CBR 125
____________________
JACK, MISS YOU LOADS YOU LEGEND.

[unfazed]

Go to Halfords or a car accessory shop and buy a litre for around £1.

[Black Knight]

Just use normal water mate. I've never had any problems and I've always used it.
____________________
Where does a turn end? 'Where you can do anything with the gas you want to, where you are brave again, where your attention is free from the turn, where you are sure you can do it better next time; that's the end' - Keith Code.

[Finglonga]

[Marcg868]

Right now the water bits summed up, can i just use Mum's bottle of Car Anti freeze?
____________________
JACK, MISS YOU LOADS YOU LEGEND.

[Superlight]

Only if you ask nicely

Should be ok, they're pretty much the same. The handbook should specify what not to use ( mine says 'use only nitrite free anti-freeze corrosion inhibitor'). So you might need to have a quick check of the label.
____________________
You only need two tools: WD-40 and Duct Tape.
If it doesn't move but should, use the WD-40.
If it shouldn't move but does, use the Duct Tape.

[proximity]

Check the bottle, i think some say not for aluminium.
Maybe im talking rubbish. Worth a check though.
____________________
2004 Aprilia Tuono

[Marci]

Hmmm.... righty.

Tap water contains LOTS of crap, and should your engine (or areas where coolant comes into contact) contain mixed metals, then you will end up with LOTS of galvanic corrosion on the lesser metal (ie: if there's any copper in the loop, for instance in the rad, then galvanic corrosion occurs on any aluminium in the same loop) You won't see this as it's on the engine casing internals etc, however, over time this can be catastrophic to an engine and severely reduce the performance of the cooling system.

SPRING / SUMMER / AUTUMN
Antifreeze and it's uses are minimal. Only required should your bike be stored where ambient may drop below -5 deg C. And a 50/50 mix will reduce the thermal capacity of your water and therefore your cooling performance.

If you can guarantee that water only comes into contact with aluminium, then use Halfords' Battery Topup Water (aka distilled water) on it's own with nothing else.

If you can't guarantee that, then use Distilled Water and any of the usual additives out there - Zerex Super Racing Coolant at 10% by volume (90% water, 10% zerex), or RedLine WaterWetter at 10 to 15ml per pint, or PurpleIce at 18ml per pint. That'll give you corrosion protection (corrosion inhibitors), and raise the boiling point of your water thus allowing it to get hotter before it boils and raises pressure to blow any seals etc. They also serve to reduce the surface tension of your coolant, thus allowing it to gain better surface > surface contact, thus allowing it to carry more heat. These additives also serve to lubricate pump parts

WINTER
Use the above as per spring / summer / autumn, but drain out 20% of the coolant and replace with Antifreeze to provide freeze protection, OR, use a premixed coolant such as MCT5 (for antifreeze protection to -5 Deg C) or MCT40 (for freeze protection to -40 Deg C)

Personally, all year round I run with straight Distilled Water with 10% Zerex. Never bother with antifreeze.

All the above additives are available in the UK, just not from automotive sources particularly. WaterWetter and PurpleIce tend to a) Stink and b) precipitate silicates out into the cooling system leaving buildup over time. Zerex is the best one to use, and is nice n' cheap, and can be gotten over here: https://store.over-clock.com/WaterAdditives.html#a771

Key thing to ascertain - is your radiator all aluminium? If so, then just use distilled water (NOT tap water - yes tap water will work, but in the long run will cause damage to the impeller and won't provide sufficient pump lubrication, and will result in more frequent seal renewals required etc). If not, then use distilled and additive.
____________________
FAB-Racing MiniMotoSidecars - Back with a vengeance - F1 Class 2011...
CBR170 engine, custom chassis - www.minimotoscene.co.uk