Motorcycle engines, especially higher capacity and performance oriented ones generate enormous amount of heat and thus require better and efficient cooling system. The consistent performance of the engine and its overall life depends on the efficient cooling system it has. For better engine cooling the manufactures across the globe always rely on “Liquid Cooling System”. You must have seen that Green color liquid filled in the reservoir of the radiator, it is “Coolant” or commonly known as “Antifreeze” in other parts of the world. The Coolant is the vital element of any liquid cooling system, it is because of this liquid the system is known what it is today.
The Coolant is a mixture of antifreeze and water needs to be poured into the radiator in a prescribed volume. Basically the coolant or antifreeze is made up of chemical additives having certain unique properties-
Cooling Property:
The heat generated during the process of internal combustion and the friction caused by the moving parts of engine can go up to extreme temperature and that could lead to engine failure. The coolant has strong efficiency to cool down the hot metal engine parts, the small engine parts made up of aluminum which tend to get overheated easily are kept under control with the help of coolant.
Anti Corrosive Property:
Apart from the basic cooling trait the Coolant is also anti-corrosive in nature, this is very important particularly when it comes to metal parts especially made from iron. Considering the liquid nature of the coolant if it does not have anti-corrosive property it might backfire and cause corrosion to the engine parts that come to its contact. However, there is one point that needs to be remembered- the coolant over the period of time gets degraded and become acidic in nature and hence looses its anti corrosive property and could actually cause corrosion to the engine if not flushed and refilled new coolant in time.
Anti-Freezing Property:
Consider living in sub zero temperature and starting your motorcycle’s engine after a day or two, if there is water inside the radiator instead of coolant you will surely find it frozen. This situation might not applicable on you but this is a truth of life for some and they face it on day to day basis, here the anti freezing property of coolant comes handy. There are additives present in the coolant that don’t let the coolant freeze at sub zero temperature.
READ ALSO: Air Cooled Vs Liquid Cooled Motorcycle EnginesThe heat generated during the process of internal combustion and the friction caused by the moving parts of engine can go up to extreme temperature and that could lead to engine failure. The coolant has strong efficiency to cool down the hot metal engine parts, the small engine parts made up of aluminum which tend to get overheated easily are kept under control with the help of coolant.
Anti Corrosive Property:
Apart from the basic cooling trait the Coolant is also anti-corrosive in nature, this is very important particularly when it comes to metal parts especially made from iron. Considering the liquid nature of the coolant if it does not have anti-corrosive property it might backfire and cause corrosion to the engine parts that come to its contact. However, there is one point that needs to be remembered- the coolant over the period of time gets degraded and become acidic in nature and hence looses its anti corrosive property and could actually cause corrosion to the engine if not flushed and refilled new coolant in time.
Anti-Freezing Property:
Consider living in sub zero temperature and starting your motorcycle’s engine after a day or two, if there is water inside the radiator instead of coolant you will surely find it frozen. This situation might not applicable on you but this is a truth of life for some and they face it on day to day basis, here the anti freezing property of coolant comes handy. There are additives present in the coolant that don’t let the coolant freeze at sub zero temperature.
Types Of Coolants:
There are several types of coolants available in the market and they can work perfectly on your motorbike interchangeably, but it is always good to use recommended coolant from the manufacturer. Broadly there are three types of coolants present in the market:
1) Inorganic Acid Technology (IAT)-
Bright green colored coolant from the earlier days of it, this type of coolant was in trend between 1920-90. It is still in use in many countries and it contains Phosphates and Silicates as anti corrosive inhibitors. With the help of these additives the IAT based coolants help to protect engine and its radiator from corrosion. The life of the IAT coolants is limited and it should be flushed on frequent basis.
2) Organic Acid Technology (OAT)-
This type of coolant is dyed in dark green color and it is devoid of Phosphates and Silicates, therefore it gives limited to negligible protection to the engine and radiator against corrosion and rust. However, it performs the job of engine cooling excellently and there are few manufacturers who add some other sort of additives to give engine protection against corrosion. The life of the OAT types of coolants is relatively more and they last really long.
3) Hybrid Organic Acid Technology (HOAT)-
The HOAT types of coolants are unique in many ways and they come in different colors, you can find them in bright yellow to orange color. They contain some Silicates to provide protection to the engine against rust and corrosion and they also have other additives as OAT coolants. The life of the HOAT coolants is good and they don’t require flushing frequently.
READ ALSO: Oil Cooling Mechanism In Bikes ExplainedBright green colored coolant from the earlier days of it, this type of coolant was in trend between 1920-90. It is still in use in many countries and it contains Phosphates and Silicates as anti corrosive inhibitors. With the help of these additives the IAT based coolants help to protect engine and its radiator from corrosion. The life of the IAT coolants is limited and it should be flushed on frequent basis.
2) Organic Acid Technology (OAT)-
This type of coolant is dyed in dark green color and it is devoid of Phosphates and Silicates, therefore it gives limited to negligible protection to the engine and radiator against corrosion and rust. However, it performs the job of engine cooling excellently and there are few manufacturers who add some other sort of additives to give engine protection against corrosion. The life of the OAT types of coolants is relatively more and they last really long.
3) Hybrid Organic Acid Technology (HOAT)-
The HOAT types of coolants are unique in many ways and they come in different colors, you can find them in bright yellow to orange color. They contain some Silicates to provide protection to the engine against rust and corrosion and they also have other additives as OAT coolants. The life of the HOAT coolants is good and they don’t require flushing frequently.
The coolant is extremely important for your liquid cooled engine and one must take care of it. There is no way you can compare the benefits of a coolant with water, however, water can be used as emergency measure. If you run out of coolant and the engine starts overheating, as a support system you can top up the coolant reservoir with water but make sure to refill the new coolant asap.
By: Farhan Kashif