K11 Owners Group

simonlap · Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2011 5:47 pm Post subject: WHICH COOLANT?

K1100RS. I have tried the search icon but it doesn't come up with much. I'm in the UK. Do I buy a G12 coolant or will anything do in the brick? OR the dreaded BMW main dealer but I will have to save up many weeks to afford that stuff.
Si.
_________________
K1100rs 1992 model
F650 ST 1996 model
ride it like you stole it, fix it like it's your first girlfriend

Phil Marvin · Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2011 5:57 pm Post subject:

Hi, Si,
See my post in "Product Reviews".
_________________
Ride Safe,
Phil Marvin in El Paso, TX
'94 K75A/3
'95 K75RTP

granth · Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2011 6:03 pm Post subject:

Generally it seems that many people use any, good quality, antifreeze with a 40/60 mix(60%water) tho'some use 50/50;there seems to be a conensus that it should be mixed with distilled water and not tap water. Idea

_________________
1993(94 MODEL) K1100RS IN ASTRAL BLUE
2006 URAL 750CC DALESMAN SIDECAR OUTFIT,
RED AND CREAM.

drikko · Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2011 6:09 pm Post subject:

A good source of distilled water can be had by collecting the water from your air conditioner at home.
_________________
K1100RS '97
Laverda RGS 1000 '84
Jim Young Trailer Sailer 5.7M WB

DISCLAIMER:- Anything I say may have been when I was drunk so please don't take it personally.

'Bigamy is having one wife/husband too many. Monogamy is the same.'
Oscar Wilde

simonlap · Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2011 6:13 pm Post subject:

Nice one Drikko, I live in the UK, It's never been hot enough here to install Aircon but i do have a pond full of fish and water, I might try that. (without the fish)
_________________
K1100rs 1992 model
F650 ST 1996 model
ride it like you stole it, fix it like it's your first girlfriend

drikko · Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2011 6:45 pm Post subject:

Sure that'll be fine, just strain it through a flour seive and it'll be perfect.

Found a procedure here as I just happen to be doing the same thing later today! I think the writer migh be a school teacher as s/he repeates everything about 200 times!

http://bmwmotorcycletech.info/k-coolant.htm
_________________
K1100RS '97
Laverda RGS 1000 '84
Jim Young Trailer Sailer 5.7M WB

DISCLAIMER:- Anything I say may have been when I was drunk so please don't take it personally.

'Bigamy is having one wife/husband too many. Monogamy is the same.'
Oscar Wilde

BMGraeme · Posted: Sat Jul 16, 2011 3:48 am Post subject:

I use the pink Mobil 1 from Halfords - mix it with distilled water 50/50.
_________________
1980 CB900FA
1994 K1100RS
2008 R1200GSA

Ernie-NH · Posted: Sat Jul 16, 2011 7:24 am Post subject:

Good morning "Drikko"...

Hey... just as reference, that "Cooling System Flush/Fill" procedure was written by Robert Fleischer ( aka: Snowbum ) who is an engineer, pilot, "k" bike owner and perhaps the foremost authority on Airheads and "R" bikes around. He is very prolific and is very active in helping Airhead owners to resolve their problems via the MicaPeak Airhead mailing list. People who own and wrench Airheads trust him implicitly. Just a "heads up"...eh?

Have fun 'down under' and ride safe....

Best regards........// Ernie in NH
_________________
AMA,, American Deaf Bikers
Airhead Beemers Club
'11 G650gs
'95 K1100LT
'76 R100/7

Trucker · Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2011 5:57 am Post subject:

drikko · Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2011 7:12 am Post subject:

We have frost free fridges here, it's either that or you can't get anything in there after a month.....
Laughing

_________________
K1100RS '97
Laverda RGS 1000 '84
Jim Young Trailer Sailer 5.7M WB

DISCLAIMER:- Anything I say may have been when I was drunk so please don't take it personally.

'Bigamy is having one wife/husband too many. Monogamy is the same.'
Oscar Wilde

malcolmt · Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2011 7:47 am Post subject:

Just go the the Pharmacy , it cost peanuts.
I wonder what's in todays air and gets carried over with rain and fridge ice.

I use Castrol winter summer in my K's, Its even stocked by BWM.
Mix it 50/50 with pharmacy distilled water
_________________
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A Bike on the road is worth two
in the shed
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PHIL1601UK · Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2011 10:21 am Post subject:

Does anyone know is deionised water suitable for radiators in the same way as distilled? I know there's difference in processes that is not the question, the question is can deionised be used in place of distilled?
_________________

1996 Aspen Silver K1100LTSE - acquired 23/03/07

lee richter · Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2011 2:28 pm Post subject:

The issue is the minerals in the water deionised water may still have some dissolved mineral content. Distilled water is the result of condensing steam back to the liquid (water) the process leaving the minerals behind, the more times this is done the less mineral content. Look in your tea pot. The mineral build up in there is what you want to avoid in the water jackets of your engine.
_________________
Lee Richter
Orlando, FL
I like flying, HIGH or low, Wings or Not
182 Texas Tail Dragger
'39 J3 Cub
2000 HD Soft Tail Sold
2002 R1150R
1994 K1100LT

PHIL1601UK · Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2011 5:34 pm Post subject:

Yet deionised water is also known as demineralised water, the process involving removal of mineral salts - and it's recommended for steam irons, air con and engine cooling systems??? And interesting that the major high street automotive parts chain in the UK stocks dionised and not distilled in their stores.... Oh well, got to better than ordinary tap water.
_________________

1996 Aspen Silver K1100LTSE - acquired 23/03/07

RAL88 · Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2011 5:52 pm Post subject:

I use Peak Global lifetime antifreeze and distilled water.
_________________
Rich

"If it ain't broke, take it apart and make it work better"
*************
'96' K1100LT-SE
'97' R850GS-R

Al. · Posted: Wed Jul 20, 2011 4:23 pm Post subject:

Just to stir the pot.

I have a Honda Blackbird as well.
Came across a recommendation to use silicate free anti-freeze !
Damages water pump seals apparently in this engine??

Ernie-NH · Posted: Wed Jul 20, 2011 8:17 pm Post subject:

Hi all....

Re the " silicate free anti-freeze"... there is every indication that the silicates will coat aluminum surfaces with a patina that inhibits efficient heat transfer. As far as the seal goes, it is both a dynamic seal and a static seal, since it seals the rotating shaft statically ( ID ribs clinch the shaft ). The inner potion of the seal assembly is spring loaded and rotates with the shaft. However the two opposing "ultra ultra flat" faces of the seal ( only one of which rotates ) MUST remain absolutely contaminant free in order to function... it MAY be possible for a silicate to actually enter and upset the intimate contact of the two flat faces. So 'best practice' indicates' NO SILICATES for both reasons.

Best regards all..........// Ernie in NH
_________________
AMA,, American Deaf Bikers
Airhead Beemers Club
'11 G650gs
'95 K1100LT
'76 R100/7

Al. · Posted: Fri Aug 05, 2011 3:31 pm Post subject:

very proffesorial comment !
Now I know why ! Idea

SugarHillCTD · Posted: Fri Aug 05, 2011 5:07 pm Post subject:

Ernie,

You are THE man. Great explanations. Sure beats someone saying "because the manual says so"

Thanks for your expertise.

John
_________________
John & Cathy

'92 K100RS4V Pearl White SOLD
'04 K1200GT
IBA Several-SS1k, BBG, 50CC NYC to S.F.

Al. · Posted: Thu Sep 08, 2011 4:28 pm Post subject:

Just recently came across Prestone anti-freeze from US it seems.
It is silicate free (check the label) the do a 50/50 and also a bike anti-freeze.

http://prestone.com/products/antifreeze_coolant/product_list

Bike stuff
http://prestone.com/products/antifreeze_coolant/product_list#product-423