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Coolant Facts

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Coolant

Unless you just like changing water pumps, do not use silicate-type antifreeze. Use Prestone or Texaco Long-Life formulas. They are silicate-free. You can spot them easily in the store, because they're orange, not green. Many coolant manufacturers add a silicate corrosion inhibitor to protect aluminum components. Silicate corrosion inhibitors work by depositing a "passivating" coating throughout the system. Unfortunately, silicates are also somewhat abrasive. If they drop out of suspension, they rapidly wear out water pump seals.

In the August, 1997 issue of MOTORCYCLE CONSUMER NEWS and then finalized in the November, 1997 issue, MCN detailed accounts of motorcyclists that encountered severe problems with mainly their water pumps if they were using antifreeze (coolants) that were designed for automobiles. "Our first findings were that the vast majority (98.7%) of pump failures occurred on bikes that had had their cooling systems flushed, or drained and refilled, within the past year. Secondly, of the bikes with failed pumps, 99% had been filled with automotive-type coolants, such as Prestone, Zerex or a house brand from some parts chain like Pep Boys. Less than 1% of the bikes with failed pumps had used pre-mixed Hondaline coolant or another motorcycle-specific anti-freeze." They went on to say that if you currently have automotive silicate bearing coolant in your bike now, get it out as soon as possible and replace it with a motorcycle-specific coolant like Hondaline Pro Honda HP Coolant.

Product mg/cc/wk Corrosion Level Conventional Antifreeze is a Danger to Your Pet.
Properly used and installed, antifreeze presents little problem for pets. But if it is carelessly installed, improperly disposed of or leaks from your cooling system, conventional antifreeze can be dangerous to your pet.
Antifreeze causes thousands of needless pet deaths in the United States annually. Veterinarians universally agree that conventional antifreeze presents a serious threat to pets. Animals seem to be attracted to antifreeze because of its taste. As little as two ounces of conventional antifreeze can kill a dog and only one teaspoon is enough to poison a cat. The toxic ingredient is ethylene glycol(EG). Antifreeze can be hazardous to small children too, in quantities as little as two tablespoons.

Zerex 0.1

Award 0.2

Pronto 0.2

Trust 0.3

Pah-Nol 0.4

Texaco 0.4

Recycled 0.6

Prestone 0.7

Crown 8.4

Shellzone 10.2

Peak 11.9

Last update: 08:54 PM Tuesday, December 13, 2005

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