Hi all. Got my radiator fixed after it struck a leak, now it's time to fill up the system again. I think the old recommendation was Shell Advanced coolant, but there was talk of AGIP on various forums so I called Ducati Glasgow to confirm - they said to use "AGIP Long Life Coolant". Now, I know that some people have used this Permanent Spezial with success, but it's kind of expensive. Permanent Spezial The other two AGIP choices seem identical by description, but vary slightly in price and name; AGIP Antifreeze LL ALU protect: Antifreeze LL ALU Protect AGIP Permanent Fluid: Permanent Fluid LL ALU Protect I'm leaning towards the AGIP Antifreeze, but thought I'd check on here first.
What difference do you think the manufacturers name will make? I would suspect that all of them meet a standard and it is only there to get rid of heat, even plain water will do that. I'll bet that the dealer you asked sells Agip, not exactly independent advice then.
I figured going with manufacturer recommendation would avoid any possible incompatibility problems (corrosion, seal damage etc). I've got quite a bit of Halfords pink OAT readymix coolant (Halfords OAT Ready Mixed Antifreeze... in my garage...I wasn't planning on using it, but am I crazy buying specific AGIP stuff for £40 when I already have that coolant? It's not specifically designed for motorbikes, and it's just Halfords own brand so...not too sure.
I use supermarket pre mixed stuff in my beloved 848. It will never know if it is in a motorbike or a car or even my microlight engine. All engines are a mixture of different aluminium alloys and other metals and as all coolants are acid neutral they will cause no problems. You never asked the manufacturers recommendation but the dealer and he is in business to make money by selling what he can, he hopes that you will come to him and buy it. Use the Halfords stuff and change it every two years, you will not have any problems.
I'm sure you know, Bob, that the 50/50 coolant mix usefully raises the boiling point over that of plain water. Some people use distilled water for the water 50%.
Yes it does but it also degrades the efficiency of the mixture to transfer heat. Distilled water is great and we used to use it in our cars when the RAF used to give it to us for free. There are no contaminants in distilled water. The OP is talking about using ready mixed water/antifreeze as I do, and I suspect that it is probably mixed with distilled water at the factory. I do change mine every couple of years in all of my vehicles because it is a cheap and quick job to do. The 848 will just get changed every time the radiator leaks which could be more frequent that every two years!
