Need tip to prevent coolant from being diluted on '92 ST

[TMF]

One video tells us the rubber hose connection at the bottom of the radiator can release more coolant . The problem comes if the hose is stubborn to disconnect. The radiators are made of soft aluminium and the circular nozzle can easily get out of shape if you try to encourage the disconnection with a screwdriver. I still have to find out if my makeshift sealing job is successful under pressure .If you feel rich you can buy a copper and brass radiator which has no front screw for coolant release at all . You have to take off the rubber hose on those .

If you've got a time hardened hose it's not coming off intact. Mine is flexible enough to come off a mounted radiator but all my strength and lubing with Q-Tips and radiator fluid was required.

 

[TMF]

Anyone have an opinion on the stuff that makes coolant water "wetter"?

I have some Gunk water pump lube on hand that's designed to go into the system for periodic maintenance. Research indicates that water pump lubricant and rust inhibitors "wear out" and so products like this should be installed annually. It also raises the PH which otherwise gradually moves towards acidic. I'm less skeptical as I read more. Maybe it's indicated for long change intervals. It would be a major project to do a fleet comparison to get other than anecdotal information.

 

[Andrew Shadow]

Concentrate is hard to find. Mine was sourced from BernardiParts.com. Part #OL999-9020 for $8.08 plus $12.89 shipping. Thats 1 quart of concentrate which is just enough for the 2.2 quart system in an 1100.

The P/N that you have provided is the Honda product that I pointed you to back in post # 12 above. Despite what they call it on the label, this is not a true concentrate, at least not in the sense of what I believe @dwalby is asking about. This product is simply Honda type 2 coolant with a higher concentration of antifreeze in it then the regular 50/50 type 2. This product is to be used as is without adding any water.

I think that what he was asking about is the concentrated antifreeze that was commonplace years ago. It was sold as full strength antifreeze that had to be diluted with water by the user at the time of installation. The amount of water added determined the concentration. The installer could vary the concentration to achieve the freeze/boiling point that they desired.

 

[ReSTored]

Do your extensive flush if it makes you happy and you have the time, no harm in it. After that I'd just do the coolant every 4 years, IMHO, just not necessary every 2 years. The Honda brand Type 2 says it's good for 5 years and this is for automobiles that usually are driven substantially more miles than a bike annually.

 

[TMF]

The P/N that you have provided is the Honda product that I pointed you to back in post # 12 above. Despite what they call it on the label, this is not a true concentrate, at least not in the sense of what I believe @dwalby is asking about. This product is simply Honda type 2 coolant with a higher concentration of antifreeze in it then the regular 50/50 type 2. This product is to be used as is without adding any water.

I think that what he was asking about is the concentrated antifreeze that was commonplace years ago. It was sold as full strength antifreeze that had to be diluted with water by the user at the time of installation. The amount of water added determined the concentration. The installer could vary the concentration to achieve the freeze/boiling point that they desired.

That word concentrate fooled me. Honda recommends draining 20% of a 50:50 mix and adding concentrate to get an even lower freeze point. One guy did some calculations and estimates the stuff is 65% antifreeze and 35% water. Still helpful though.

 

[Andrew Shadow]

One guy did some calculations and estimates the stuff is 65% antifreeze and 35% water.

That would be curious as Honda, since they recommend against a concentration higher than 60% antifreeze, would be going against their own recommendations.

 

[TMF]

That would be curious as Honda, since they recommend against a concentration higher than 60% antifreeze, would be going against their own recommendations.

The instructions are something like drain 20% of your coolant and top off the system with concentrate. This for extreme cold to lower the freezing point of the system.

 

[Andrew Shadow]

Some fun facts.

According to Honda;
Honda type 2 50/50 antifreeze/coolant used without dilution is rated with a freezing point of -34°F, -36°C.
Adding a sufficient amount of Honda Extreme Cold Weather Antifreeze/Coolant Type 2 to the existing Honda 50/50 to raise the antifreeze concentration to 60% lowers that freezing point to -62°F, -52°C.
So, quite surprisingly, an increase in concentration of antifreeze of only 10% significantly increases the freeze protection, lowering the freezing point by -28°F, -16°C.

 

[Yohan]

I took off the bottom hose to the radiator to see if any more would come out. I also changed the hose clamp for one with a wide butterfly screw to make the movement easier . The clamp is steel and if the shape is not exactly circular for that hose diameter it will be compressing against the aluminium radiator nozzle. Even though the rubber hose is between the hose and nozzle there might be a misfit that could create a leak. So measure the hose diameter first . Then adjust the clamp shape with a wooden dowel or piece of steel tube before putting it on the radiator . Any kinks in the steel clamp could cause a problem . Water under pressure will easily fly under the radar with a kink in the clamp .