I've been running Pestone Extended Life 5 yr/150K mi (Dex-Cool orange formula) in my 2000 Suzuki Hayabusa for the last 10+ years. I did a coolant change yesterday and saw some evidence of small black rubbery debris in the drained out coolant. Wasn't a ton of debris, but something I noticed when inspecting the drained coolant. I was also using "Water Wetter" along with the Prestone at a mix of 1 oz per quart per the directions.
Doing some research, I found out that the head gasket on this engine is a 3-layer metal gasket, but it appears to have a thin layer of rubber type material on the top and bottom layers for sealing purposes. So the coolant is in contact with the edges of this rubber layer as it travel between the cylinder block and head. Based on the looks of the black rubbery debris I saw, this is most likely the area where the material came from. See the attached photo I found of the OEM head gasket.
Maybe what I saw was just normal material degradation that would occur regardless of what coolant was used ... after all, the bike is 16+ years old.
So the question is ... is the Dex-Cool formula compatible with rubber materials? I would assume so since there are other rubber parts in a cooling system, like water pump seals, T-stat housing O-ring and rubber seals on the radiator cap. I would assume all coolants would be very rubber material compatible.
What about the "Water Wetter"? How compatible is that with rubber materials? I'm wondering if that might be a factor here.
If I went with a different coolant formula, what would I use that has an extended life rating (5 years/150K)? I just put fresh Dex-Cool in the bike yesterday, but if there is any concern that it's harming the rubber on the head gasket design, then I'll drain it, flush the system and go with a coolant that's maybe better - what would that be?
Doing some research, I found out that the head gasket on this engine is a 3-layer metal gasket, but it appears to have a thin layer of rubber type material on the top and bottom layers for sealing purposes. So the coolant is in contact with the edges of this rubber layer as it travel between the cylinder block and head. Based on the looks of the black rubbery debris I saw, this is most likely the area where the material came from. See the attached photo I found of the OEM head gasket.
Maybe what I saw was just normal material degradation that would occur regardless of what coolant was used ... after all, the bike is 16+ years old.
So the question is ... is the Dex-Cool formula compatible with rubber materials? I would assume so since there are other rubber parts in a cooling system, like water pump seals, T-stat housing O-ring and rubber seals on the radiator cap. I would assume all coolants would be very rubber material compatible.
What about the "Water Wetter"? How compatible is that with rubber materials? I'm wondering if that might be a factor here.
If I went with a different coolant formula, what would I use that has an extended life rating (5 years/150K)? I just put fresh Dex-Cool in the bike yesterday, but if there is any concern that it's harming the rubber on the head gasket design, then I'll drain it, flush the system and go with a coolant that's maybe better - what would that be?