Flushing the radiator
 

Is it necessary to use a flushing product in the radiator, or would it be enough to just run water through it?

Re: Flushing the radiator
 

If there is a significant build up I'd run a couple of rounds of water through it and then switch to a decent water / anti-freeze & corrosion inhibitor.

If the coolant ever comes out looking less than clear I flush with tap water until it's clear.

Jambo

Re: Flushing the radiator
 

Most places (e.g. Castrol) recommend simple clean water for flushing. If water won't shift the crud then it's probably beyond flushing anyway.

Re: Flushing the radiator
 

Excellent. Search IS my friend!

I've read instructions somewhere else to fill up the cooling system with distilled water, run the bike until the fan comes on, drop it all and then fill correctly with coolant mixture.

Is tap water suitable for the first flush (running to temp before emptying the system) my knowledgeable organ friends or should I take a trip to Halfrauds?

Re: Flushing the radiator
 

^ flush with normal water but you must fill with distilled water if you want to keep the system in good condition (free of corrosion and lime scale build up)

Re: Flushing the radiator
 

You can use tap water and a suitable anti-freeze mix for the final fill-up, but I live in an an area with very hard water so tend to use distilled water.

If the old coolant came out looking clear I don't worry about flushing the system anyway.

Re: Flushing the radiator
 

I use normal tap water with anti freeze mix. I do it regulary anyway which I think is the key to having a good working radiator. I flush using tap water too. In my opinion radiator flush is really only required if you have no idea how long the fluid has already been in there or you don't know the previous service history.

Re: Flushing the radiator
 

personally i wouldn't use normal water, seeing first hand what i can do to a pc water cooling system

but thats just my opinion

Re: Flushing the radiator
 

As already said, depends on what the waters like where you live.

Re: Flushing the radiator
 

yup i suppose, i have quite hard water so that could be the problem, but distilled water is cheep enough so id just use that out of course

Re: Flushing the radiator
 

Rugby water is mega ultra hard.

Re: Flushing the radiator
 

whys that then ? i know its hard but didnt think it was that bad

Re: Flushing the radiator
 

Just lots of soluble mineral deposits around the reservoirs, I think. As a kid I used to get problems in softer water areas cos I was so used to the hard water.

Re: Flushing the radiator
 

ahh just like when you go on holiday and they tell you not to drink the water

Re: Flushing the radiator
 

I just changed out my coolant. I used distilled water and Toyota red (non-premixed) anti-freeze. I'm a bit on the cautious side, so I wanted to stick with something that had low silicates, and certainly no 2EHA as used in Dexcool...

You can also use 'de-ionized' water instead of distilled water. Or just use pre-mixed, for the k.i.s.s. factor

Re: Flushing the radiator
 

Surely if you're changing the colour of the coolant it's important to flush it with water?