Radiator hoses

I cannot find a recommended schedule for replacement of radiator hoses and/or other water lines on my bike. Does anyone replace these before they fail? I know the old saying "If it ain't broke don't fix it"......what do you think?

Carolina wing Rider,

The hoses on all the Japanese scooters seem to last for ever. Over the years I have had to replace only a very few.

Check your hoses for swelling or other signs of cracking or rot and tighten the Clamps, Change that coolant every two or three years.

On the Silverwing 90% of the hose connections can be reached with the removal of the left skirt.

Lloyd 193.

Thank you Lloyd. I posted this issue because there is not much information about it and if I was curious I figured others may be too. Good advice as usual.

I too once had the idea that I should drain, flush and re-fill my cooling system. I was told to take a chill pill and relax. If it ain't broke as they say. I used to work at a national tire chain, and radiator flushes are nothing but pure profit. If you can sell it; they will buy it.

My Swing is an 05, no leaks, no issues. No sense looking for trouble. I do check the overflow reservoir from time to time though.

Now Mr. Lloyd has more experience, and a different thought.

My Lincoln, to which I have alleged to in another thread, is an 01, and the cooling system on it has not been touched. I just check the overflow reservoir. No issues thusfar.

Jon

janitorj1 wrote:

I too once had the idea that I should drain, flush and re-fill my cooling system.  I was told to take a chill pill and relax.  If it ain't broke as they say.  I used to work at a national tire chain, and radiator flushes are nothing but pure profit.  If you can sell it; they will buy it.

My Swing is an 05, no leaks, no issues.  No sense looking for trouble.  I do check the overflow reservoir from time to time though.

Now Mr. Lloyd has more experience, and a different thought.  

My Lincoln, to which I have alleged to in another thread, is an 01, and the cooling system on it has not been touched.  I just check the overflow reservoir.  No issues thusfar.

Jon

Thanks for your good information and your experience, Those Honda hoses are the best.

Lloyd193.

Honda's concern and reason for their recommending frequent changes of coolant and brake fluid is corrosion.

Major parts of our scooters are made of Aluminum, Once our coolant has become acidic it starts eating the metal and causing pits to form.

In addition our brake fluid absorbs water which starts destroying the material in our brake systems and rusting or corroding all the components.

Changing motor oil is important for these same reasons, There was a oil commercial for years that stated, Pay me now or pay me later.

By changing your fluids at what ever time you decide is right will save you a big repair bill later.

Enjoy your bike,

Lloyd 193.

When you do add coolant, make sure it silicate free, or very low silicates.

Jon

[quote="janitorj1"]When you do add coolant, make sure it silicate free, or very low silicates.  

Jon[/quot

Jon,
In the past Prestone listed that it was silicate free. Now it doesn't list it. Other than Honda anti freeze, are there other brands of silicate free anti freeze?

Easyrider wrote:

In the past Prestone listed that it was silicate free. Now it doesn't list it. Other than Honda anti freeze, are there other brands of silicate free anti freeze?

If you can get it in the US, have a look at .. Silkolene MAG COOL .. no silicates or phophates.
If you go for it you need to give the system a really good flush as it will not mix with other coolant types, also use straight from the bottle as it shouldn't be diluted.

Thank you for the tip. I just found it on ebay. The best deal on Silkolene Mag is 10.95 a quart. The good stuff always seems to cost more but if you recommend it....I'll use it.

carolina wing rider wrote:

Thank you for the tip. I just found it on ebay. The best deal on Silkolene Mag is 10.95 a quart. The good stuff always seems to cost more but if you recommend it....I'll use it.

How expensive is Honda coolant over there ? (it's what I use) I think using demineralised water is quite important as well, at least here, as our water companies add various trace elements to keep the water 'sweet' while it's in the pipes.

I just bought 8Ltrs. of Prestone "ready to use" coolant/antifreeze from Eurocarparts in the UK to fill my van's cooling system. I back-flushed and filled the whole system due to a radiator out repair job.

It states on their web site under their 10yr. 156k miles guarantee that it's silicate, phosphate, borate, nitrate, and amine free. It goes on to state how it mixes with other antifreeze.

I see no reason why it couldn't be used with confidence in a motorcycle engine.

www.holtsauto.com/prestone

I bought the Pro Honda coolant at my local Honda car dealership, and when I did a coolant change, the stuff I drained out was visually the same colour as the new coolant I refilled the system with.

Changing it is one thing, responsibly disposing of this hazardous material is another. I took the containers of used coolant to my local waste handling and recycling depot, where they have the facilities to dispose of it.

I hate to think how much used anti-freeze/coolant is just simply dumped down sinks, and drains by people too lazy or unconcerned about how much environmental damage it causes.

The Bern wrote:

Easyrider wrote:

In the past Prestone listed that it was silicate free. Now it doesn't list it. Other than Honda anti freeze, are there other brands of silicate free anti freeze?

If you can get it in the US, have a look at .. Silkolene MAG COOL .. no silicates or phophates.
If you go for it you need to give the system a really good flush as it will not mix with other coolant types, also use straight from the bottle as it shouldn't be diluted.

Bern,
Thank you. Shipping to Hawaii is very expensive. I will check the Prestone web site.
Thank you also Flyingpanman for your post on Prestone.

Honda auto coolant is good. Meets all the standards for SW. $20 for a gallon at dealer.
Prestone is also good. Cheaper. Buy a gallon straight up and mix it with distilled water 50/50 mix then you have 2 gallons. I've been using Honda auto coolant in FJR for 12 years no issues. Its blue.

Seems every manufacturer has a different color?????