Coolant prob?

[greenmonster]

Last weekend, went out on the bike around local streets for an hour or so. Nothing hard, just a normal pace. The air temp was around 54 as I remember. Nice. On my bike, traditionally my temp gauge is at the very low end, indicating max cooling when moving. This recent ride, however, I'm sitting at a red light and the radiator fan comes on. I look at the guage, and the needle is rising. Once I get underway, the needle goes back down to it's normal position. It's 54 out! This hasn't happened before. On hot summer days, the fans kicked in, but only after being ridden for a longer time, and sitting in traffic. I've always kept the coolant level up to where it should be. But I'm thinking it may be the age. I've always added fresh to it, but I'm pretty sure it's never been completely drained and the system flushed. What's the usual practice with you guys....change/flush it on a set schedule? Or....could it possibly be another issue?

[Ericthejet]

Most bikes call for flushing every two years.
I'd check the coolant level and don't forget the overflow bottle as well.
It's a good idea to buy the pre-mixed coolant if you need to add any.

[KB]

Change the thermostat.

KB

[TLRMan]

Yeah...thermostat may be sticking.
When you replace coolant, mix it 50/50 too!

[greenmonster]

Thanks for the feedback. I'll check out replacing the stat, and change the coolant too. I use the bike-specific premix stuff. Which reminds me....I hear that bike coolant is different from auto coolant in that the silica particles which lubricate the moving parts in the pump, etc. are actually smaller in size compared to the silica in auto coolant....cuz of the smaller components of the bike pump...is this BS? Do you use regular premix auto coolant?

[Cerberus]

silica is sand.. hence, it does not lubricate, it abrades.
it purposes is to keep passages clean (unless i'm sadly mistaken)

you want silicate free. and as long as you are going in, flush the system.

[greenmonster]

silica is sand.. hence, it does not lubricate, it abrades.
it purposes is to keep passages clean (unless i'm sadly mistaken)

you want silicate free. and as long as you are going in, flush the system.

yeah, you're right...silica is an abrasive...so, assuming my bike-specific is silica free, does it matter if I use auto coolant as opposed to bike coolant?

[Cerberus]

if your bike does not require a coolant which is silicate free (which can be next to impossible to determine since bike coolants often don't list that info becasue most are of that type), then automotive coolant would be fine.

fyi, many automotive coolants are now silicate free too due to usage of plastic water pump impellers etc.. but automotive coolant which is silicate free will be labeled as such

[greenmonster]

if your bike does not require a coolant which is silicate free (which can be next to impossible to determine since bike coolants often don't list that info becasue most are of that type), then automotive coolant would be fine.

fyi, many automotive coolants are now silicate free too due to usage of plastic water pump impellers etc.. but automotive coolant which is silicate free will be labeled as such

I use the Honda premix...label says it's silica free. Good! Picked up some extra today for the coolant change. Had to order the replacement stat tho...should be in next weekend. Figured it might be part of the prob, seeing as how it's the original stat. (bike's a '97) Gotta dust off the Haynes manual, lol.