Coolant options

Nolan-GA

Joined
Nov 15, 2017
Messages
8
Location
Columbus, GA
Bike
2002 ST 1100
Honda dealer parts dept was closed. Can anyone tell me if the prestone antifreeze for Honda and Nissan or zerex Asian red antifreeze will work? Is there an ASTM# I should look for? The zerex states its ok for aluminum and is silicate free, the prestone doesn't. I've read the posts on coolant so i would prefer to use the Honda type 2 but i Have the bike apart so really wanted to fill up the radiator today if possible and put all the panels back on. Going on a trip tuesday and don't have much spare time. Thanks again ST people
 
Nolan-GA said:
Honda dealer parts dept was closed. Can anyone tell me if the prestone antifreeze for Honda and Nissan or zerex Asian red antifreeze will work? Is there an ASTM# I should look for? The zerex states its ok for aluminum and is silicate free, the prestone doesn't. I've read the posts on coolant so i would prefer to use the Honda type 2 but i Have the bike apart so really wanted to fill up the radiator today if possible and put all the panels back on. Going on a trip tuesday and don't have much spare time. Thanks again ST people
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I use the Zerex Asian blue on my St1300. I do suggest you flush the system with water first.


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I have been using a 50/50 mix with distilled water the orange Prestone extended life stuff that comes in the silver jug in everything I own that is liquid cooled; since 1993, with zero issues.
Flush well with water and distilled water before using.
 
its better to use the extended life coolant They all should be compatible. Color means nothing.
 
I'm kinda attached to my genuine Honda motorcycle coolant of the green variety.

Doesn't cost hardly any more for the small amount we use.
 
ALL antifreeze made today is silicate free, BTW. And I wasn't kidding about "universal " antifreeze. It's actually a type that is available - read some labels to learn more.
 
Don't overlook Evan's Waterless Coolant. I used it for many miles in my 1100 and now my 1300 with no issues. Essentially no pressure in the system and permanent to boot.
 
I have a related question, seeing as I am just about to change coolant (Honda type 2) for the first time in my 2012 Honda CR-V cage. Honda recommends this change at 120K. I am doing it at 93K because that's the way I am. But if so many of us are using type 2 in the st's, shouldn't it be lasting longer than the 24K interval recommended by the st manual? There can't be that big a diff between the two systems, or can someone set me straight on that?
 
red dirt cowboy said:
I have a related question, seeing as I am just about to change coolant (Honda type 2) for the first time in my 2012 Honda CR-V cage. Honda recommends this change at 120K. I am doing it at 93K because that's the way I am. But if so many of us are using type 2 in the st's, shouldn't it be lasting longer than the 24K interval recommended by the st manual? There can't be that big a diff between the two systems, or can someone set me straight on that?
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Well, I'm a bit of an authority on that around here. My yearly riding dropped significantly over the years, and while I did all the other normal periodic maintenance, I just forgot about the coolant for about 8-10 years on my ST1100. I was using the Honda coolant, and it drained out as an orangey, rusty mess when I finally drained it. A couple years later the water pump bearing finally started making some noise, when I pulled it out all the 90° impeller blades had rusted off completely, I'm surprised it pumped anything at all, but it worked more or less normally believe it or not. So, based on that empirical evidence I'd say they either changed the formula of Honda type 2 over the years, or the car/bike applications are not the same.

BTW, I bought a gallon in the late '90s, and a gallon lasts for several changes, so the last time I changed it before that long interval the coolant in the original container was probably several years old when I poured it in. Can coolant lose its chemistry and become less effective after sitting in the container for a few years??
 
red dirt cowboy said:
I have a related question, seeing as I am just about to change coolant (Honda type 2) for the first time in my 2012 Honda CR-V cage. Honda recommends this change at 120K. I am doing it at 93K because that's the way I am. But if so many of us are using type 2 in the st's, shouldn't it be lasting longer than the 24K interval recommended by the st manual? There can't be that big a diff between the two systems, or can someone set me straight on that?
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Are you sure? I recalled when I was doing my research on antifreeze Honda type 2 was a 5 year/60K mile coolant.
 
I certainly wouldn't wait even 93K miles before changing the antifreeze. About 50K miles for me. Antifreeze is cheap. The GM Northstar engines developed some serious problems ( the head bolts started pulling out due to corrosion between themselves and the aluminum block ). The rust inhibitors wear out in antifreeze.

I replace the antifreeeze in my ST1100 about every 2 years and flush the radiator also at the same time. If you do it when removing the plastic for some other work, it's not that big of a task. The thermostat gets replaced then too with a Motorad high flow thermostat.
 
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Jim Van said:
I certainly wouldn't wait even 93K miles before changing the antifreeze. About 50K miles for me. Antifreeze is cheap. The GM Northstar engines developed some serious problems ( the head bolts started pulling out due to corrosion between themselves and the aluminum block ). The rust inhibitors wear out in antifreeze.

I replace the antifreeeze in my ST1100 about every 2 years and flush the radiator out too at the same time. If you do it when removing the plastic for some other work, it's not that big of a task. The thermostat gets replaced then too with a Motorad high flow thermostat.
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Yeah, that dex cool wasn't helping the engine either.
 
Jim Van said:
I replace the antifreeeze in my ST1100 about every 2 years and flush the radiator out too at the same time. If you do it when removing the plastic for some other work, it's not that big of a task. The thermostat gets replaced then too with a Motorad high flow thermostat.
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I'm pretty conservative re maintenance intervals and was on a 2 year cycle for changing out coolant using Honda Type 2. But I decided that a 4 year cycle is fine based on the 5 year/60,000 mile life as indicated on the product label.
 
Jim Van said:
I certainly wouldn't wait even 93K miles before changing the antifreeze. About 50K miles for me. Antifreeze is cheap. The GM Northstar engines developed some serious problems ( the head bolts started pulling out due to corrosion between themselves and the aluminum block ). The rust inhibitors wear out in antifreeze.

I replace the antifreeeze in my ST1100 about every 2 years and flush the radiator out too at the same time. If you do it when removing the plastic for some other work, it's not that big of a task. The thermostat gets replaced then too with a Motorad high flow thermostat.
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dex cool was bad stuff, gm had problems with all engines that used dex cool . Gm 3.1.3.4 engines had lots of intake gasket leaks . The newer extended life coolant works much better however if your original cooling system started life off with out the extended life coolant you should not go the 5year/100k due to the fact that there will be some remaining old coolant in the system that contaminates the new coolant.
 
Thanks, Jim.

I didn’t see a follow on post as to whether it worked out as well as you had hoped but I assume it did.

I’ll order a few in on my next Rock Auto order.

G
 
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