Coolant Question

[SummerBreeze]

Please bear with me I'm new to the Yamaha world. Is there a specfic antifreeze that should be used in a 96 RSTC? I reworked the carbs , changed the oil and filter, the final drive lube. About ten min. ago I fired it off for the first time since I bought it and man it sure does sound sweet. A friend has a carbtune toolset so next I will sync the carbs (thanks to info from this site) and change the coolant. Should be able to put eveerything back in place after that and go for a ride. This is an awsome feeling. My barn find is turing out OK so far.

[spear]

Hey Summer Breeze.

Welcome to the site.

You're not one of the original American Pickers are you?

[SummerBreeze]

No but I wish I had their money. I would have bought a new bike a long time ago instead of looking for the barn find I bought. All kidding aside I like my 96RSTC and have enjoyed working on it. It has been a challenge and right now I think I'm winning, I said think I'm winning.

[Silverado6x6]

I use the Peak Asian long life coolant in my 89 Venture, with distilled water.

Its a pale kind of yellow looking stuff.

[frankd]

Congratulations on your barn find and getting it running so sweet!!

 

Originally these bikes came with regular green anti-freeze, and you changed it every 2-3 years. That's what I've always used in my 83 (bought new) and now my 89. This year when I changed the coolant, I used the 5 year Prestone anti freeze. It is a silicate formula which is needed for aluminum engines and radiators. Now, all of my experience is on Gen1 (1983-1993) bikes, but Yamaha didn't really change much on the engines when they came out with the 2nd Gen bikes. Make sure you use good water when you change the coolant. I always used drinking water instead of distilled water because some think that distilled water could cause corrosion, but I'm not certain that it does. This year I used water from my reverse-osmosis water filter. Avoid water with a lot of calcium and iron in it.

 

If you decide to join this fine web site--(it is the best Venture site because it's both a technical site and a social site) you will have access to the Maintenance manuals listed here and it only costs $12/year.

 

Frank D.

[IronMike]

My dealer said Silica FREE only. It trashes the water pump if its in there. He said it way SAY it on the container that it contains no silicone. AND it must be safe for aluminum engines. When I checked it out, it was Prestone that met these requirements.

 

I also remember an article maybe in Motorcycle consumer News about the silicone trashing water pumps soon after installation of silicone antifreeze.

 

Phosphate free is also good and prestone is also that.

 

Mix with only distilled water. The pre mix is like paying $5 a gallon for water. Mix your own.

 

Empty the tank and drain the cylinders and radiator not to worry about the water pump, not much in there.

 

Google what I am saying or call your dealer. Im right on this.

 

And it goes for all Jap bikes, Freebird, you gotta look up you own Harley info LOL

http://www.goldwingfacts.com/forums/2-goldwing-technical-forum/265965-silicate-free-antifreeze.html

Edited August 9, 2013 by IronMike

[MiCarl]

Silicate and silicone are not the same thing.....

 

But you are correct, silicate will damage SOME water pumps.

 

Here at the shop I typically use silicate free, pre-mixed Prestone.

[SummerBreeze]

Thanks for the feed back.I drained the system and changed the coolant. Today was a very productive day. Synked the carbs. finished cleaning the tank and put everything back in place. Still need to work on hydraulics. No front brakes or clutch. I rebuilt the calipers and they worked fine with comprressed air so I think I need to order new lines and master cylinders. Any recomendations? Oh yea I will be joining the site, I have just spent all my time working on the bike, can't wait.

[Sexagenarian]

this is good info as I also wanted to drain the coolant and refill it prior to restarting the RSTD after I have finished cleaning all the carbs. Does everyone go for a 50:50 ratio on distilled and the antifreeze?

[IronMike]

Yep. That's about the best mix. Maybe slightly stronger. Some put a coolant promoter in there. A product to aid in the cooling several options. Don't forget to pull the sides of each cylinder 3 bolts each. Under that is the cup drain plug. You screw a old small end of a spark plug into the plug and pull and out comes the antifreeze. The cover actually holds the plug in.

 

I hear its not worth the trouble to drain the pump and I agree.

 

Do drain the tank and fill with fresh mix.

[Hucklecatt]

You might also consider changing the gas filter while you are in there. You have absolutely plunged into this bike and that is a great thing. For replacement lines, brakes, consider going with Baron's stainless lines, and if you have the $$, the matching throttle cables as well. They look stunning and work well. How are your tires? Check your date codes (4-digit Weeks-Year) and replace if over 6 years max. (just my opinion). I am sure you have also replaced the battery, but if not be sure to do so just to save your regulator etc. in the electrical system. A bad cell can be hard to spot but can cause havoc.

 

Everyone has responded on the coolant, but don't forget that if you use the Yamaha OEM you are assured of it working correctly and the right to take the dealer to task if it does not.

[SummerBreeze]

Well today I had a chance to take her on our first ride. ( no tag yet so I only rode 3 miles). I was right this is a great bike. As an up date since I bought the bike; I did buy a new battery, changed oil and filter, new air filter, changed final drive lube, rebuilt carbs, cleaned tank. cleaned bike end to end to include taking front fender all leather items off and windshield and wind deflectors. I cleaned until I was tired of it then the next day I cleaned some more. Like I said it has less than 1K miles on her but it sat for 10 years in a shed so tires are in the near future for safty sake. I love my bike and if I knew how I would post pictures for everyone to see just how good a deal I got. I am a HAPPY Man! Thanks for all the help.