|  | Topic : Coolant top-up |  |
| | | Hootlesea | | Set |  | | Reg. Date | : | 12/12/2011 | | Posts | : | 34 | | Location | : | Australia |
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| | Posted : 17 Apr 2013 - 02:13 Post title : Coolant top-up | | | G'day All,
Washing & checking the bike this morning I noticed that the radiator hose clamps were loose again. Checked the coolant level and it is sitting at the 'Lowest' level and is therefore in need of a top-up.
Searching the Net it appears that the OEM coolant (HD4X Hybrid OAT coolant) is a Triumph-specific coolant, and only available from a Triumph Dealer. Given that the Dealer is a fair hike from where I live, and being aware of their extravagant pricing, I would prefer, if possible, to source an alternative coolant.
So my question is this : without draining all the old coolant out, because I just want to top it up, can I use any coolant other than the OEM coolant to top it up? That is, can I mix another coolant with the OEM coolant, and if so, what coolant can I use?
Cheers
Nige
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| | | essbjay | | Set | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 01/02/2012 | | Posts | : | 328 | | Location | : | Melbourne (ex Lowestoft, UK), VIC, Australia |
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| | Posted : 17 Apr 2013 - 03:10 Post title : Re: Coolant top-up (Re: Hootlesea) | | |
Lifted from other forums.... coolant used across a lot of the Triumph range...... this should help..?
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That is a Triumph specific coolant (only available with Triumph pricing from stealers). Any aluminium block safe OAT G-05 specified coolant will work as a well if your bike came with the dark green HD4X.
I immediatelly changed away from the HD4X to normal 50/50 ethylene glycol as that is much easier to source and 10th of the price. If going this route, a full fresh water flush is in order before changing coolant type.
Only benefit as far as I can see on the OAT is that it is less toxic and has longer change intervals. If you change every 2 years, then the basic ethylene glycol stuff will work.
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Based on practical experience OAT-type coolants produce much less in the way of internal corrosion/sludgy deposits in things like radiators, thermostat housings, water pumps, etc.
5 litres of Concentrated OAT coolant costs 22 quid.
That has to be watered down to AT LEAST 50/50 to give protection down to -35 DegC (or 33/67 to give protection down to -15 DegC). In the UK that would mix at 33/67 to give you 15 litres of pre-mixed coolant. Remind me again how many litres a Triumph cooling system takes, a hair under 3 is it not ...? So to fill the system with premixed coolant would cost just over 4 quid.
For preference I'd use OAT-based coolant and STILL change it every 2 years ......
| Colin Chapman once said: "If you add horsepower you'll be quick on the straight,...but if you remove weight you'll be quicker everywhere.." ....so why in hell did I buy a Thunderbird...!!!
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