Which type of Antifreeze?

Hey guys,

My CB's been off the road for a few years now and I am trying to get it back to road worthiness. I want to flush the coolant system but I am unsure which antifreeze to use. 

Reading the Haynes manual is says to use "corrosion resistant ethylene glycol". I was looking on Halford's website and saw the silicate antifreeze and a response from the Q&A on the product says "don't use silicate antifreeze because it contains ethylene glycol."

What do you guys use and where do you get it?

Thanks!

I'm pretty sure that every antifreeze uses ethylene glycol?

I was going to use this for my coolant change but the garage did it when they had to take the head off.

The blue stuff like this will be fine:

http://www.halfords.com/motoring/engine-oils-fluids/antifreeze/halfords-silicate-antifreeze-concentrate-2-litres

TBH almost anything that is called 'antifreeze' has ethylene glycol in it - as long as the antifreeze is suitable for aluminium engines it will be fine in the CB500.

The IAT/OAT/silicate bit is to do with the corrosion inhibitors.


I suspect that you can also use the OAT/long life/red coolant in the CB500 without a problem, as long as you flush the system fully before refilling.

Thanks guys.

I was looking for something on the packaging that said suitable for aluminium engines but none seem to say that. 

Thanks for the help and hopefully I won't have to post soon about how to repair a botched coolant system flushing.   

Just to give you a hint which coolant to use:

http://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-946-motul-motocool-expert-ready-to-use-cooling-liquid.aspx

These kind of brands make very good (and affordable) product. You can also use this type to see wether any other coolant is suitable.

In general: these engines want silicate-free coolants. The ethylene-glycol is (almost) always used as this is "coolant".

If you are not sure wich type is now in the system, drain and flush with plain water.

Succes,
Rob

I was always under the impression that you had to use "silicate free" antifreeze on Honda bikes as the silicates, being abrasive, wear out the ceramic seals on the waterpump?  Doesn't seem to say anything about it in the Haynes manual though bit its definitely the case with my Honda NTV650 and the pump looks very similar on the CB500.

Thanks guys. Sorry I haven't been on sooner to show my appreciation.

rob75, I was talking to a neighbour of mine about this and he recommended the same stuff as you. So I got down to my local bike shop and bought a few litres.

rob75 wrote:Just to give you a hint which coolant to use:

http://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-946-motul-motocool-expert-ready-to-use-cooling-liquid.aspx

I just finished flushing the system and refilling. Almost complete with the rejuvenation. I just need to schedule my MOT and I should be back on the road.

Thanks again evenyone.

-Greg

geoffnorfolk wrote:I was always under the impression that you had to use "silicate free" antifreeze on Honda bikes as the silicates, being abrasive, wear out the ceramic seals on the waterpump?  Doesn't seem to say anything about it in the Haynes manual though bit its definitely the case with my Honda NTV650 and the pump looks very similar on the CB500.

You are correct. Don't use coolants that contain silicate in aluminium engines. That the Haynes manual doesn't mention it, may be because at the time of writing these coolants weren't used.

Cheers,
Rob

Hi, the color doesn't matter.
 The  2 important things are:
1.Ethylene glycol 
2. Silicate free 

I found cheap one here in Danmark and it is red, the old Honda one is green and I think the new one is blue.  So the color doesn't matter at all  

....just sayin' 

http://www.cb500club.net/t4648-evans-waterless-coolant

I'm considering using this as it would also do 2 of the cars in the house.
https://www.commaoil.com/passenger-vehicles/products/view/351

Seems to tick the box wrt silicate free. 

Currently £13 for 2L concentrate or £25 for 5L concentrate on Amazon.

Thoughts?

You might be better with this one, as it explicitly says silicate free:

https://www.commaoil.com/passenger-vehicles/products/view/298/SLA1L/