I need to add some coolant to the jug on my ZX14, what coolant do you recommend using? It has the factory coolant in it. Thanks

* Last updated by: jrp0629 on 8/23/2009 @ 7:34 PM *

Distilled water.

So just add some distilled water only?

Hub definitely is the undisputed master, but I would like to add a tidbit I've heard recently, if i may.

Adding just distilled water will dilute the 50/50 ratio of coolant/water you currently have. This will dilute the anti corrosive effect of the coolant and also reduce it's boiling point and raise it's freezing point. Adding plain distilled water is fine for an emergency but I'd add and equal amount of pure coolant ASAP. It probably doesn't matter much for a few ounces. I guess it all depends on how picky you are. You could test the fluid with an antifreeze float ball siringe before you add distilled water and then after you run the motor a bit to stir it up. If the freezing point has gone up, I would add an amount of pure coolant that is equal to the amount of distilled water you put in. Always use a coolant made for aluminum radiators like Kawasaki Aluma Cool. That is the one I used because the owners manual suggests using only the same brand of coolant as is already in the system if you need to add.

and also reduce it's boiling point and raise it's freezing point.

I'm lazy. and mildly cheap. so I went to eBay and bought a case of Kawasaki Engine Coolant; aka Aluma Cool.
This is what they dump in at the factory apparently, and seems to work OK (at least based on what the local Ricky Racers tell me)

So, being lazy, and mildly cheap I pour the stuff in as needed (all of 3 oz in 8 months) and turn my attention to other things.. like saving up for my Free Healthcare.

if anybody needs a bottle (this marks you as being lazy and mildly cheap) let me know. based on consumption rates they'll be burying me with a bottle or two.

* Last updated by: ZX14Bobo on 11/1/2009 @ 5:34 PM *

lol - you are stocked up for a while! No excuses for not changing coolant every year now!

BTW, you are cutting it 50/50 with distilled water, yes? The aluma cool I have, if it's the same stuff, is formulated to be mixed.

* Last updated by: Rook on 11/1/2009 @ 10:05 PM *

yep. 50/50 mixed in a handy distilled water jug & shake violently.
{distilled water used of course}

"I need to add some coolant to the jug" He wanted to top off the jug or add a bit to it. That does not mean the coolant will freeze with a few ounces placed in the recovery jug. That is how I read it.

How did you read it?

Think I'm readin it that way too.I just did my coolant replacement.All of it."Peak" premixed 50/50(for all aluminum and iron motors).Plus water wetter this time according to the INSTRUCTIONS(duh).

I recently replaced my antifreeze with this http://www.peakantifreeze.com/finalchargeext.htm ,I was in wal-mart and saw it for a reasonable price, and being the lazy sob that I am, not having to change my antifreeze for the next 600,000 miles sounded pretty darn good to me lol. The organic acid technology antifreezes are the way to go if you don't want to change it very often (if ever)