Ready mixed coolant or de-ionised water?
 

Following the how to change your coolant guide on gixerjunkies, step number 8 says:

"Mix pure coolant with distilled (or de-ionised) water in equal quanitites (50:50), or buy ready mixed coolant. In total you'll need approximately 2.7 litres of coolant mixture."

Is there bike specific coolant or is all coolant suitable for all vehicles? Guessing it's just the anti-freeze and rust inhibiting properties which actually turn it into 'coolant'? Or are there other characteristics of coolant I'm missing?

Re: Ready mixed coolant or de-ionised water?
 

Nope that's it. Get some that's safe for alloy engines (which is the vast majority out there).

Doesn't matter if you use readymix or mix your own.

Re: Ready mixed coolant or de-ionised water?
 

coolio, will prolly buy ready mixed to save digging out my ex's cauldron.

Re: Ready mixed coolant or de-ionised water?
 

I've got a stack of concentrate but i'm not sure where to get or how to make the right kind of water. Could someone suggest? Can I borrow your cauldron Paul? (not that I'd know what to do with it)

Re: Ready mixed coolant or de-ionised water?
 

You just buy it. Depends on the water, if you have a lot of limescale in water then buy some. If your water is very soft it is ok to use.

Re: Ready mixed coolant or de-ionised water?
 

Ta YC. I think I bought the coolant many years ago by mistake when I actually wanted windscreen washer fluid. Fortunately I realised before putting it in the car (what? it's all blue init)

Does coolant/antifreeze go off?

Re: Ready mixed coolant or de-ionised water?
 

Not sure, I doubt it.

Re: Ready mixed coolant or de-ionised water?
 

de ionised water is about £1 a litre. But ready mix is easier, putoline's is not to bad but u either buy a gallon of the stuff or litre bottles

Re: Ready mixed coolant or de-ionised water?
 

get a litre of each tip them into a coke bottle......then drink it :-O

Re: Ready mixed coolant or de-ionised water?
 

My coolant is green ;)