Honda type 2 antifreeze....self life?

[mello dude]

I like Hondas type2 anti freeze.... nickname Honda Blue..... I use in both cars and in my bikes.
I have some in the closet about 5 years old, maybe 6........
It's coolant change time ..... think there's a self life?.....

 

[ReSTored]

Honda says that in use Type 2 coolant should be changed every 5 years, so if it has been in a sealed container I assume it probably is still good, if not for a full 5 years, then at least 2 or 3..........

However, if I was going to the trouble of doing a coolant change I'd spend the $20 - $25 bucks and just get a new jug of it.

 

[SMSW]

Probably good, but, and its a big but. The reason we change the coolant is because the anticorrosive chemicals wear out. If you know a chemist who happens to know what Honda uses in the mix, and how long they last on the shelf, ask him and then you can decide. I've seen plastic containers for some liquids change size over a few years - as if something inside has evaporated and is taking less room. If the AF changes in a few years, then you are not doing the engine any good. Don't ask me for details (I'm ashamed of myself) but not changing the AF in an aluminum block Honda engine does it no good at all.

BTW, not sure where @ReSTored saw the 5 years, but my 1300 HSM says change the coolant every two years. It's not impossible that heat breaks down and wears out the coolant faster than sitting on a shelf.

PM someone like @beemerphile, he has a chemical engineering background.

 

[ReSTored]

BTW, not sure where @ReSTored saw the 5 years, but my 1300 HSM says change the coolant every two years. It's not impossible that heat breaks down and wears out the coolant faster than sitting on a shelf.

The label on the Type 2 coolant itself says its good in use for 5 years. I used to change my coolant every 2 years, but I now do it every 4.

 

[Al st1100]

non silica antifreeze has a indefinite shelf life if it has not been opened... Found on site that recommends 8 years of shelf life when opened (and capped) google it

 

[Al st1100]

Probably good, but, and its a big but. The reason we change the coolant is because the anticorrosive chemicals wear out. If you know a chemist who happens to know what Honda uses in the mix, and how long they last on the shelf, ask him and then you can decide. I've seen plastic containers for some liquids change size over a few years - as if something inside has evaporated and is taking less room. If the AF changes in a few years, then you are not doing the engine any good. Don't ask me for details (I'm ashamed of myself) but not changing the AF in an aluminum block Honda engine does it no good at all.

BTW, not sure where @ReSTored saw the 5 years, but my 1300 HSM says change the coolant every two years. It's not impossible that heat breaks down and wears out the coolant faster than sitting on a shelf.

PM someone like @beemerphile, he has a chemical engineering background.

ethylene glycol , the old stuff turns acidic after 2 - 3 years . Corrodes freeze plugs radiators and engine blocks. The "Long Life Antifreeze" has organic compounds that eliminates the acidic build up and lasts 5-10 years. How ever if long life is mixed with the old stuff, including small amounts left in an engine on a block drain, will still need to be replaced every 2 years. That is what I have read but a quick flush with some distilled water and I don't think that would be a problem.

 

[caldercay]

However, if I was going to the trouble of doing a coolant change I'd spend the $20 - $25 bucks and just get a new jug of it.

+1. Me too.
We're splitting hairs here ... considering a five year period, the cost is negligible.

 

[beemerphile]

Do you know what coolant is currently in the motorcycle? @Al st1100 's caution is correct. Because of the organic acid technology in type 2, that has more to do with whether it will present problems than the 5-6 year storage life. It will be fine either way if you do a thorough flush. The phenomena that @SMSW is mentioning is usually loss of water or another volatile component. Polyethylene containers are somewhat permeable to water unless they are multi-layer. Not even a chemist can guess at shelf life. It has to be determined by a stability test because the results are influenced not only by the product composition, but by the packaging particulars (material and wall thickness; top seal, etc.) and conditions of storage as well.

 

[ChriSTian_64]

The "Long Life Antifreeze" has organic compounds that eliminates the acidic build up and lasts 5-10 years.

Yep ! That's what I just put in my bike :
Motorex M3.0 : O.A.T. Organic Acid Technology.

A bit expensive, but I had it half price, on sale ( fortnine.ca ).



It's from switzerland. The container is a bit fancy.



I flushed my cooling system, rince it 2 times with distilled water. So, 3 flush in total. I'm sure there is still a very small amount of the old stuff left. But not much.

 

[SMSW]

Yep ! That's what I just put in my bike :
Motorex M3.0 : O.A.T.

So, is that the "oat's milk" I've recently seen on store shelves as an alternative to cow's milk?

Another thought. If that stuff is so good, there is no telling how long Motorex motor oil will last. At c. $60/gallon it must be a long long time. A whole new subject for oil threads!

 

[Upt' North]

I like Hondas type2 anti freeze.... nickname Honda Blue..... I use in both cars and in my bikes.
I have some in the closet about 5 years old, maybe 6........
It's coolant change time ..... think there's a self life?.....

Mello, as a fine upstanding member of this community, a stalwart for all that is righteous, modest, I would like to offer my services to solve your dilemma..........
Please post to,
Upt'North
Northumberland
UK.
On another note, how do you left siders get rid of the old stuff. Took mine to the dump and the dump police who are normally animated if you drop a pinhead size piece of paper in the general waste skip, said"just chuck it in the general waste". I pointed out it was not nice stuff but apparently there is no tank labelled coolant so it gets chucked with your other non recyclables.
Strange world innit.
Mello, normal postage will be fine.
Upt'North.

 

[ST1100Y]

The container is a bit fancy.

For a while Castrol had their fork-oil in exactly such bottles... was weird to pour out, the flexible neck makes more sense on coolant containers...

I changed to Motul FactoryLine Motocool Organic+, colored in a bit darker tone of red...
Important is that it's free of nitrites, amines, phosphates, borate and silicates, classified for use on aluminum/magnesium alloys... boiling point of +136°C/+277°F should cover it...

 

[Upt' North]

So, is that the "oat's milk" I've recently seen on store shelves as an alternative to cow's milk?

Another thought. If that stuff is so good, there is no telling how long Motorex motor oil will last. At c. $60/gallon it must be a long long time. A whole new subject for oil threads!

I clearly wouldn't recommend anyone visits a Vegan Restaurant. I mean, there's no meat .
But if you ever find yourself in such an awkward predicament then Oat Milk does a pretty good job in coffee.
Er'Indoors never noticed it wasn't proper cows stuff.
Upt'North.

 

[SMSW]

I clearly wouldn't recommend anyone visits a Vegan Restaurant. I mean, there's no meat .
But if you ever find yourself in such an awkward predicament then Oat Milk does a pretty good job in coffee.
Er'Indoors never noticed it wasn't proper cows stuff.
Upt'North.

I'd want to watch the farmer milk his oats.....

 

[RaYzerman]

I can't tell you the stuff is good, the coolant properties I've read never break down... the corrossion inhibitors.... I'll guess it is good because it has never been in contact with metals and the corrosion inhibitors haven't been used. Purely speculation of course.... use it, change it again in a coupla years perhaps.