Where to get proper coolant

[BouncinBob]

I've tried to find the nitrate free coolant to avoid $24 gallon for the BMW version. Anybody now a chain of stores that may carry one?

[mrich12000]

Hi hope this helps :deal PepBoys,Car Qwest,Napa,Tractor Supply Any ford dealer, GM dealer but really check out A:stick :german VW dealer as well.:german .:laugh :laugh :D
Canada: Canadian Tire..:bottle :buds :buds :bikes
Mike Richard
VE3CEH



Up the Revolution "Give back Maine":D

[OfficerImpersonator]

Why won't any anti-freeze/coolant that's designed for aluminum engines work?

[mrich12000]

yep that closes this thread:banghead :banghead :wave

[dlearl476]

I've tried to find the nitrate free coolant to avoid $24 gallon for the BMW version. Anybody now a chain of stores that may carry one?

So it's true? The cheapest thing on (in) a BMW isn't the coolant, right?

:dance

I use this:

http://www.af1racing.com/store/ProdImages/wp-motocool.jpg

Ready to use cooling liquid
Anti-corrosion and anti freeze,
Protection -35°C/-31°F
AOT Technology
Nitrite free / Amine free / Phosphate free / Borate free / Silicate free

MOTUL MOTOCOOL FACTORY LINE is a racing cooling liquid, ready to use, based on monoethyleneglycol, using organic anti-corrosion additives to provide an outstanding protection to aluminium/magnesium alloys used by bike manufacturers on new engines design.

PERFORMANCES
Cooling system optimal protection from freezing and metallic parts from corrosion.
Specific anti-corrosion agents provides the best protection efficiency on aluminium/magnesium alloys – according to a dynamic corrosion test performed on a bike radiator, MOTOCOOL FACTORY LINE divides by 3 the corrosion rate compared to a common organic coolant.
Provides an excellent thermal exchange and then engine cooling efficiency and prevents from boiling.
This organic technology provides anti-corrosion properties that remain while high temperature and ageing. Low corrosion inhibitors consumption allows extended drain intervals. Water pump protection, avoid cavitation.
Seals, durits and plastic parts friendly.

Contains a bitterness agent to prevent from drinking : coolants and antifreezes have a sweet taste but are harmful.

RECOMMENDATIONS
Ready to use, do not add any water
Drain intervals : Refer to the manufacturers' recommendation.
Do not mix with non organic products.
This product should not be used to protect drinking water systems against freezing.

Because although BMW coolant is nitrate free, it's not silicate free. Prior to becoming a Motul dealer, I used Pentosin for the same reason and although it is more expensive in pre-mixed qts than un-mixed gallons, the quantities used on a bike make the quarts much more convenient, IMO.


YWMV

[dlearl476]

Why won't any anti-freeze/coolant that's designed for aluminum engines work?


Just in case you missed it:

...according to a dynamic corrosion test performed on a bike radiator, MOTOCOOL FACTORY LINE divides by 3 the corrosion rate compared to a common organic coolant.

[HFbmw]

24 bucks a gallon? Which dealer?
I bought a gallon of the pure anti-freeze from the bmw dealer here in Minnesota. Moon Motors in Monticello. Cost me less than $14 bucks! Enough to last me for 2 changes unless I sell a quart of it off to my friend who bought my 85 K bike!
I had used prestone... however bmw antifreeze stopped the leakage problem in the 85 due to pitted shaft!
Getting more inclined to buy at bmw! I had purchased fork oil at the local aftermarket dealer here in St. Paul. 4.30 per pint....
Bought the bmw 7.5 weight for 8.00+ a quart!

take care

tim lindstrom
91k100 lt

[OfficerImpersonator]

Just in case you missed it:

What's the corrosion rate for $3 gallon coolant? Radiator life of 40 years?

So now you're getting 120 years (three times 40 years) out of your cooling system?

And it requires the use of $24/gal. coolant? Not sure it's worth the investment.

R bike owners are laughing at us K bike owners worrying about coolant.

[BlackHoof]

R bike owners are laughing at us K bike owners worrying about coolant.

Let em laugh, how many times have they had to replace push rod seals??? :nyah

[OfficerImpersonator]

Let em laugh, how many times have they had to replace push rod seals??? :nyah

How many have done the low-side grind to their cylinder heads?

[czechmate]

I've tried to find the nitrate free coolant to avoid $24 gallon for the BMW version. Anybody now a chain of stores that may carry one?

I have a 94 K1100Lt with 126k mi. and always used any kind of anti freeze designed for aluminum engines. I think the BMW special formula is a big sales pitch.

Czechmate

[BMWDreamer]

I've got the same questions. Can we use Prestone long life (same formulation as Dexcool)? It is nitrate, phosphate, and silicate free. According to my Clymer manual, the BMW antifreeze contains silicates and other stuff not in the long life and the long life has things not in the BMW coolant. It sounds like the BMW coolant it is the old automobile two year antifreeze for a high price.

Does anybody actually know what is OK? It is way too far to run to a BMW dealer, not to mention the price.

[Gilly]

Xerex G05
http://www.valvoline.com/pages/products/product_detail.asp?product=10

[roncooper]

[QUOTE=Gilly;368406]Xerex G05

+1

[Acejones]

I have a friend who told me his cousins father-in-law used the wrong coolant..................

[rdalland]

My experience here:

http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?t=14032

[Gilly]

The bib box auto stores typically carry the G05 and it's very good stuff for the alloy engines.

[carockwell]

I can't tell you how many engines I have torn down and rebuilt (1000's) but mixing the wrong kind of coolants is THE major cause of problems on otherwise adequately maintained engines. If you want to learn more about coolant visit www.bobistheoilguy.com. You can't just use anything off the shelf at the auto supply store.

[Kayseventyfive]

Xerex G05
http://www.valvoline.com/pages/products/product_detail.asp?product=10

G-05 is not nitrite-free. It uses a Nitrite cavitation inhibitor

[Gilly]

Mmmm, but you would WANT nitrites in it, so not nitrite-free is a good thing. right? Who says use nitrite-free coolant?
Gilly

[PHMarvin]

Hi,
BMW says to use coolant free of nitrites (NOT nitrAtes). I have had K-bikes since 1997 and have used Prestone, Wal-Mart's brand and Texaco anti-freeze, mixing them, as per BMW, to a ratio of 40% coolant and 60% distilled water. I haven't had any problems. The silicates problem came about in HONDA motorcycle engines, NOT BMW motorcycle engines. The silicates caused leaks with the Honda seals. They do not cause the same problem in BMW engines because the seals are of different types.

[Gilly]

Any idea why nitrItes (I never said nitrAtes anyways) is bad? All I here are GOOD things such as preventing cavitation, which is always a good thing.
I mean other than BM says not to use coolant with nitrItes.
I thought I had hear that silicates act as a waterpump lubricant.
Gilly

[Gilly]

I found the answer myself. It's a health risk.
http://www.astm.com/DIGITAL_LIBRARY/STP/PAGES/STP45570S.htm

[osbornk]

I can't tell you how many engines I have torn down and rebuilt (1000's) but mixing the wrong kind of coolants is THE major cause of problems on otherwise adequately maintained engines. If you want to learn more about coolant visit www.bobistheoilguy.com. You can't just use anything off the shelf at the auto supply store.


If you're flushing, you're not mixing. The flat K bike engines are really an automotive type engine laying on its side. I used extended life automotive antifreeze with no problem at all. I have kept up with the bike and it is still OK after 11 or 12 years (sold it to a good friend).