Coolant Level Critical???

[baggot]

Hey does anyone have any information on what kind of coolant to use? My 05 ruckus has the fluid level right at th bottom line on the overflow tank. No leaks though dont know where it went. Should i be concerned?

THANKS

[timberwolfmadcat]

pretty much any coolant built for use in aluminum engines as far as i remember. 50/50 is the ratio, and make sure you use filtered water

[baggot]

Thanks....any brand you reccomend?

[Dandy Dan]

Whatever is the cheapest as long as it's safe for alumium engines (and most should be)

[quatcho]

I'm just wondering if I should drain the old coolant before refilling and if so, how do I about it?

Thanks

[jrcanoe]

quatcho said:

I'm just wondering if I should drain the old coolant before refilling and if so, how do I about it?

Thanks

No real need to drain and refill but if you want to, take off rad cover and cap. Undo drain bolt on bottom of rad, drain and replace.

[quatcho]

thanks Jrcanoe!

[timberwolfmadcat]

quatcho said:

thanks Jrcanoe!

MAKE SURE YOU BLEED THE AIR RIGHT!!!!
Otherwise you end up blowing 20 fuses and that is no fun. Time the idle for 3 minutes NO LESS!!!! and MAKE SURE THE RAD CAP IS OFF!!!

Other than that have fun

[chanito]

Yes bleeding the air out of the system is a must ;D

[Dandy Dan]

There's also a bolt on the kickstarter side of the engine block right in front of the drive case that lets you drain even more coolant. I'd just top up the coolant and not drain it all unless your current coolant is either quite old or a different colours...if you mix green and red you'll get an ugly brown.

[chanito]

I recommend to change the whole coolant system every two years, as old antifreeze is not very efficient at dissipating heat, and can turn into a corrosive fluid

[marker]

::)I have read that the DEXCOOL coolant products are something to stay away from - lots of stuff on the net in regards to this.

m

[west]

On a '07, with 200 miles should I add some or change it for the first time? It is a little low.

[Dandy Dan]

Just add some....200 miles is nothing. Lift up the seat, remove the reseviour cap and use a funnel to top it up to the full line.

[Coldsurfer]

IS anyone using ENGINE ICE (blue stuff) that is $20 a quart? I used it on my canam ATV and it really made a big difference in helping it run cool.

Maybe it's overkill and a waste of money for a honda scooter... but it does make an engine run 15-20 degrees cooler (more power, less wear, fewer headaches).

[Dandy Dan]

Nah...I've seen the stuff but never used it. The Ruckus has an amazing cooling system so it's probably not necessary but it is possible that would help add a hair of power. I've personally seen a Ruckus seize the piston from running it without oil and it still didn't overheat.

[bigchief]

I bought a quart of the premix antifreeze from Momma Honda. I think it was only about 4or 5 dollars. And I know I have the correct stuff.

[Libby64]

I just bought a 2004 Ruckus with about 300 miles, the coolant is low. Do you have to mix the coolant with water? how much of each? I'm really new to this. lol

[jedisabre7]

depends what kind of coolant you buy. if you buy the 50/50 mix then no.

[Dandy Dan]

You can either buy straight coolant (best value) or pre-mixed stuff (less hassle). If it's straight coolant then you mix it 50-50. If you flip the seat up then you can remove the cap via the hole in the floorboard....it's super easy but a funnel might help.