Flushing the radiator - SV650.org

DarrenSV650S · 05-07-10, 05:17 PM

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

jambo · 06-07-10, 10:16 AM

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

embee · 06-07-10, 07:13 PM

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.

19-07-10, 12:13 AM

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?

19-07-10, 01:11 AM

^ 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)

jambo · 19-07-10, 10:50 AM

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.

19-07-10, 01:12 PM

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.

19-07-10, 01:15 PM

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

19-07-10, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barwel1992

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

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

19-07-10, 01:44 PM

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

05-07-10, 05:17 PM	#1
DarrenSV650S Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Dundee Posts: 4,404	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?

06-07-10, 10:16 AM	#2
jambo Member Mega Poster Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Croydonia Posts: 5,376	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 __________________ Modern motorcycles are bloody brilliant, enjoy it while we can

06-07-10, 07:13 PM	#3
embee Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Warwickshire Posts: 2,801	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. __________________ "Artificial Intelligence is no match for natural stupidity"

19-07-10, 12:13 AM	#4
monkey Guest Posts: n/a	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? Last edited by monkey; 19-07-10 at 01:51 AM.

19-07-10, 01:11 AM	#5
barwel1992 Guest Posts: n/a	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)

19-07-10, 10:50 AM	#6
jambo Member Mega Poster Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Croydonia Posts: 5,376	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. __________________ Modern motorcycles are bloody brilliant, enjoy it while we can

19-07-10, 01:12 PM	#7
Stig Guest Posts: n/a	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.

19-07-10, 01:15 PM	#8
barwel1992 Guest Posts: n/a	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

19-07-10, 01:44 PM	#10
barwel1992 Guest Posts: n/a	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

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