Coolant

[RossO]

I just installed an Inferno heater and am now wondering what type of coolant I should get to refill the cooling system?  Anybody know off hand?

[honda400ex2003]

i run the stuff that is compatible with either color from advance auto.  nothing special for me.  straight coolant too, not 50/50.

steve

[RagDude]

Per Can Am, use a 50/50 mix of an aluminum engine compatible antifreeze to distilled water.

Undiluted glycol based antifreeze will freeze at about -9 deg F, but a 50/50 solution can go to -35 deg F before freezing (apparently the two fluids inhibit each other's atoms from hard bonding at low temperatures).  On the other end, pure water has a higher specific heat than a pure glycol based coolant meaning water will absorb more heat without raising its temperature even though a pure glycol based coolant will boil at a much higher temperature. So, the same 50/50 mixture in a 15psi pressurized system is a good compromise as it will go to around 265 deg F before boiling while pure water at the same pressure would boil at about 250 deg F. 

All this and much more can be found on heat transfer fluid manufacturer's web sites if you're interested.

[honda400ex2003]

easiest to do is check it with a gauge to see where it is rated for.  

the only reason to use 100% antifreeze is to keep it low.  its not like you are adding a gallon or two to top off the system.  50/50 would be pointless to use when its probably not even that much from the factory.  might as well keep it as close to -35 as possible.

steve