Draining and refilling antifreeze?

[Irv]

I plan on doing mine this off-season due to the countless posts I have read about Yamaha's antifreeze being full strength rather than the required 50/50.

Just curious if there are any DIY's and the like showing/telling how to go about this?

My sled is an 08 Vector if it matters?

Thanks

 

[yamahas]

The way I did it on my phazer was unhook the lowest hose I could find. Drain it out. Fill it up.

The way I bled the system was I got ahold of some fish tank air hoses (the clear kind) and put on end oven the open bleed valve. The other end of the hose went into the resavoir. I then started the sled and once the coolant starter flowing I could see the air bubbles travel through the hose. I just kept filling the resavoir everytime it took more coolant untill I was happy that there was no more air.

The reason I used a hose was so I don't loose any coolant, make a mess, and I could see the air bubbles go by.

That is how I did mine.

 

[Snowmobileaddict]

Drain and refill steps attached below...

 

[Irv]

Thanks guys.

Surprised with a couple things in the link, first, the recommendation to change this fluid "once a year" and secondly, the 60/40 split.

I was planning on running a 60/40 (60 antifreeze, 40 water) ratio but I do remember reading on here that 50/50 is the way to go?

I am also surprised at the amount the system holds, not complaining just surprised it holds 6 litres.

Thanks again, appreciate your help

 

[YammyRX1]

I've sen some posts recommending products like Engine Ice that perform better than anti-freeze for cooling but it's only good to -27F. Anyone have any experience with coolants other than anti-freeze? Can you mix them?

 

[Irv]

I've sen some posts recommending products like Engine Ice that perform better than anti-freeze for cooling but it's only good to -27F. Anyone have any experience with coolants other than anti-freeze? Can you mix them?

Seeing where your from Yammy, I don't think it would be advisable to run the Engine Ice? Minus -27 is pretty cold but not cold enough for me as I have ridden in -40 before (not recommended )
(I believe WaterWetter is compatible with most glycols but you would have to check, you only use a few ounces so I don't think it would change the freeze too much but best to check that first as well)

I am going to read the back of a Prestone (green) jug and see what 60/40 gives me for a freeze point? I do believe it will be lower than a 50/50 mix but the 50/50 might be enough?

 

[yamahas]

I did 60/40. and dont have a problem with over heating. it gives me peice of mind that the water wont freeze. if it where to freeze there would be a bunch of problems because of the expanding. i like a little buffer zone since it can gets cold here.

 

[Irv]

I did 60/40. and dont have a problem with over heating. it gives me peice of mind that the water wont freeze. if it where to freeze there would be a bunch of problems because of the expanding. i like a little buffer zone since it can gets cold here.

My thinking as well.

 

[Sasquatch]

50/50 is good to -34f. As it gets down to -40 and sometimes colder here. I run no more then a 60/40 mix good to -65f. It is recommended not to go past 70/30 -85f. For the north 55/45 is the best at -50. Quote from an antifreeze forum.

In Canada, 55-60 percent is common.

The more antifreeze you have the better the protection from corrosion. But less cooling properties. If you go past 70% antifreeze you are defeating the purpose. At 75% antifreeze properties are close to a 60% mix. 100% is only good to -5f.

So basically 50 to 60% antifreeze is your aim or -34 to -65 is the range. I have froze my rad with 50% (it tested at between -30and -35 on the tester) mix on a -45f morning going to work because I did not let the motor warm up and circulate through the rad (late for work). Minute I started down the highway it froze (really late for work). Since that time I have mixed at about 55-60% and with the tester if I get anything around -50 to -60 I'm happy!

I froze up my sled at -38. I went to far getting rid of the 80% factory mix. I thinned it down to just under 50% the tester said -28 when I got home. Sled would not circulate the antifreeze. It shut down on the overheat warming up. Had to keep starting it after letting the motor cool for a bit till slowly the frost would melt off the hose going to the heat exchanger. Finally it made its way around the exchangers and all was good.

I suspected a sticking thermostat at first till I saw the -28 mix. I bumped the mix up to -47 and have not had a problem since. This year in Manitoba it was -38 at Dauphin over night. No problems.

So I would recommend a 55% to 45% mix.

 

[low slung]

Changed mine last month on the warrior from the 100% pure antifreeze(tester said so)to a prestone 50/50 mix.Sled runs much cooler(running boards don,t get as hot).Just make sure the mix is safe for the waterpump(no silicates).

 

[Irv]

Thanks guys, probably going to run a 55-60/45-40 mix, sounds like the best imo and should provide more than enough freeze protection?