Don't use every car antifreeze / coolant in your Kymco

[Ericson]

Hi Guys !

Just a heads up regarding one issue regarding coolant. Make sure that coolant you are pouring in does not contain silicates. I was about to put in some Febi G13 antifreeze which I have been using in my car but then I found some guy on this forum saying "don't put car antifreeze into your bike - it will break your water pump seals". After little investigating he / she was right :

https://www.valvoline.com/en-eur/motorcycle-coolant-systems/ and https://motofomo.com/engine-coolants-faq-complete-guide/

Silicates: These are a very common corrosion inhibitor in both IAT and HOAT coolants. Asian vehicle manufacturers often specify that their coolants have to be “silicate free”, because silicates can be hard wearing on the coolant pump seals. (Asian coolants often contain phosphates.)

And guess what, my Febi G13 cooling fluid contains silicates...

I ordered Mannol AF12+ which should not contain silicates nor phosphate. I guess you learn every day some thing new when you are doing all the work yourself....

[Iahawk]

yes, silicate free coolant in our bikes and scooters. I use the Honda premixed coolant in the quart / liter sized bottle. It's a little more expensive but our scoots/bikes use such small amounts of coolant that it is really no big deal.

[KymcoRockr]

Instead of finding someone on the internet who agrees with someone else on the internet, and may or may not be right, why don't you look in the Owner's Manual for the Downtown 300? Kymco probably knows what sort of coolant is best for your scooter. It's probably Pink.

[Ruffus]

Instead of finding someone on the internet who agrees with someone else on the internet, and may or may not be right, why don't you look in the Owner's Manual for the Downtown 300? Kymco probably knows what sort of coolant is best for your scooter. It's probably Pink.

Well, because a forum is also there to exchange opinions and a little bit of gossip😉

[mousejunks]

The manual states 50% ethylene glycol, silicate free coolant. Make sure it's compatible with aluminium and it's as simple as that.