Hi , I was wondering if anyone can tell me if it matters about the colour of coolant I use when I change coolant. I am currently in a remote area that doesn't have a great deal of choice of stuff like that , unless you buy 10 litres of it.........the 2011 Yamaha XT660R has the red coolant in it at the moment , from factory I guess. I know that the colour means something specific about the characteristics of the coolant. I have had the bike for a few years but it has done less than 500kms.....( haven't been able to ride it for a heap of reasons) ....anyway it has sat around for a while and I want to renew the coolant....( also because it seems to run hot....maybe lean ? ) The header pipes will glow red after a minute or 2 of idling and I worry that it is getting too hot. ......( mostly noticeable in low light conditions) ....Is it true that it is is recommended to change the coolant after 2 years , regardless of km up? Can anyone confirm that I just .....1. empty the reservoir, 2. drain fluid from the bolt on the water pump casing 3. flush with water 4 . replace with the required amounts in radiator and reservoir ...1lt & 0.25lt respectively 5. run for a while and check for levels ????

one more thing ....if anyone can help......will it hurt to put a bit of injector cleaner ( Wynns or Nulon) in a full tank of fuel if I suspect that I had some fuel in the tank that was in there for a long time....could some blocked / dirty injectors be contributing to a "lean " running bike, keeping in mind that it is has done only 400 something Km in the 2 years I have had it? Yeah, I know....it is next to nothing.....long story!
cheers if anyone has a chance to comment on this...I'd appreciate hearing from anyone......Mick

Firstly the colour of coolant varies slightly from brand to brand, so it is not always a good idea to rely on the colour to tell you what's in the system. The XT requires a "long life" OAT coolant (which is usually orange or red, but can be yellow too). Just make sure it is borate and silicate free.

You cannot mix IAT coolant (usually blue or green, but not always) with OAT coolant. IAT coolants contain silicates, which are not good for mechanical water pump seals. If you mix OAT/IAT, the silicates in the IAT coolant react with the corrosion inhibitor in the OAT coolant and cause gelling, big lumps of jelly appear in the cooling system which clog radiators and block waterways. Even after draining down, flushing and refilling, small amounts of coolant get left behind attached to the inside of the hoses and waterways which, when mixed can still cause trouble. Also do not use an HOAT coolant, but they aren't that commonly found on the shelves of garages and parts shops.

Just make sure you buy a brand that states "OAT Borate and Silicate Free".

The method you describe for renewing the coolant is correct.

No harm in using an injector cleaner now and again on the XT. However, if you suspect the fuel in the tank is old, you'd be best draining it out and starting with fresh fuel. Modern fuels with 5% ethanol tend to go off quickly and become acidic over time which will eat rubber, bronze, brass and copper components in fuel system components.

BTW - Glowing headers is a perfectly normal phenomenon on the XT if left to idle. They do it all the time, but folk only ever notice in the dark.

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