Coolant

[Aquaduct]

OK, I'll admit it's been a while since I've dealt with engine coolants, but my bike (Triumph Trophy 1200) has me stumped.

I got some stalling the other day on the freeway and I thought it might be overheating. Just went out and checked the coolant resevoir and it is indeed a half inch low.

So I looked it up in the manual to find the recommended coolant and they simply said that it's a permanent blue coolant. They said I could top it off, but there aren't any fluid specs, other than they don't recommend mixing brands and types. In another place in the manual, under recommended fluids, it just says Mobil antifreeze.

I then went to Walmart and there's bunches of coolants (not Mobil, of course) with those that indicate a color being yellow like I remember. Prestone makes one, however, that's yellow but can be mixed with any other color.

I missed the boat to technicolor coolant. Any info explaining this nonsense?

[niterider]

Your are only going to need a few ounces to bring it up to level, so you should be able to use water or if you rather use distilled water. If you have to use anti-frez caterpillar puts out a blue looking anti-frez. A gallon is about 13.00$. One can find it at a truck stop. Hope this helps you.

[TechTMW]

I would do what niterider suggests - use distilled and demineralised water to top up the coolant.

In europe, they color Normal (green in the states) antifreeze blue. This caught me off guard the first time I had to top off the VW Polo I purchased here. I Do NOT recommend using ANY antifreeze at all until you call a triumph dealership and verify the type of antifreeze in the bike. If you put the wrong type in it could damage the engine seals and whatnot. Best to be sure, so call the dealership.

[Aquaduct]

Thanks guys. That helps.

[Wizzard]

I'm sorry that I didn't see this thread earlier . The one thing you MUST make certain is that the coolent you use has to be silicate free . My suggestion is to get it only at your local stealership . Most coolents have silicate in it . What is silicate you may ask , it's sand . And in an aluminum engine it will wreck havoc with the engines internals . Sort of like sand blasting it from the inside . Not a good thing at all .
Regards, Wizzard

[TechTMW]

Aluminum engine internals will wear over time no matter what kind of coolant you use.

Aluminum oxidises over time ... guess what's glued on to sandpaper ..

[Wizzard]

That's very true , however I don't need to hasten it's demise......
Regards, Wizzard

[BuzZz]

The silicate also raises hell with the seals in the cooling system in a short time. Mmmm, milky engine oil.....

[TechTMW]

Gotta love that Air Cooling !!