Engine ICE - First Impressions

Discussion in 'Mechanics Garage' started by Derek Ashley, Jun 18, 2009.

  1. Derek Ashley

    Derek Ashley New Member

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    Howdy gang,

    I'm rather new to the VFR scene, and I have had my 2000 only for a short while. I've been on motorcycles since I was a kid, so two wheels under me is most comfortable. One of the first things I noticed about my VFR was that it runs hot. This is one of the reasons that I've landed on VFR World, as I felt my Veef's condition was abnormal, and knew I would find some answers from the Interceptor Community. What I've uncovered is that they like to run at higer-than-expected temps and this condition is normal.

    Certainly I trust the experiences of those who have found solutions to problems that I encounter at present. This site, and the people here are exceedingly well informed and knowledgeable about their bikes, and I have found a genuine and sincere community to which I feel connected. We all enjoy our Interceptors and have a keen interest in sharing our experiences for the good of all. I've made some posts and have received good guidance, and this is why I write.

    I don't review products for a living, and I just have my thoughts as a user of Engine ICE coolant. Here's their link Engine Ice - Welcome I was quite enthusiastic about this product, as I believed it would provide welcome relief from the heat pumping on my legs. I took much time in learning about it and looked for all I could before I invested the 40 dollars for the 2 one-half gallon containers of this coolant. I think I armed myself with as much information as possible in the time I had given myself to make a decision. (NB: KC-10 FE has a great a terrific thread on how to flush the cooling system on a Gen 5 VFR - http://vfrworld.com/forums/maintenance/23276-coolant-replacement-5th-gen.html )

    I live in Saint Petersburg, Florida. I'm due west of Tampa by about 15 miles. This is the western central Gulf Coast of the state, an area very popular as a tourist destination. Anyone who knows Florida, and my area in particular, knows that it gets sweltering hot during the summer, and the conditions can be extreme. It was 92 degrees today and the heat of the summer hasn't even hit yet. Anyone should ensure his cooling system in in sound order in this environment.

    I took my bike for a cruise two weeks ago from Clearwater beach to St. Pete beach, a trip of about 40 miles or so. The speed averages around 30-40mph, and it's leisurely. Very scenic too. We went at the heat of the day around noon to 2 pm. The sun was out in full force and it was HOT! My bike's temp rose to a steady 228 or so and was there for quite some time. This was on the old coolant., which, by the way, was quite clean and green when I drained it.

    This past weekend I changed and flushed the cooling system and replaced the green coolant with Engine ICE.

    On Monday of this week, I took a trip to Naples. That trip is about 140 miles each way, and it's wide open interstate highway the whole way. On both legs of the trip my speed was around 85 to 110. The temp held steady between 180 and 190 or so. When I reached 135 on the way down and 152 on the way back (just for a few miles), the temps really didn't climb to more than 200 or so, but I was concentrating more on the road and traffic than on the temp. Moreover, and this is where it gets interesting, when I'd pull over for fuel or to stretch the temps climbed quickly to 225 or so. Getting back to speed brought it down, but this was noteworthy.

    Obviously airflow thru the radiators makes a huge impact!

    Today I took a short jaunt to the bookstore to meet someone about some Alpine Stars gloves for my "chick of the week" (great gloves, BTW), so my trip today was about 20 miles total. A few miles were interstate and the remainder was city. I got in at 4 pm and the IAT ("indicated air temp" on Veef's instrumentation read out) was 97. Yes, hot...and in full gear on a hot asphalt surface with heat pumpin' from the engine...SWELTERING! The temp was again around 226 to 227 when I was stopped at the lights but dropped to around 218 when I got moving.

    This is the best data I have generated thus far, and is far from scientific. My frame of reference is a short period to which to make this comparison, but I think I've not seen a significant improvement in coolant temperatures. I feel, though, that the temps at higher speeds may be somewhat lower, and merely a few degrees less in lower speed, stop and go traffic conditions. I have noted too that the temps seem to drop at a better rate once I get going and stay moving.

    Would I plunk down another 40 clams next year when I do the flush for next summer? That's a good question at this point. But I would like to learn more about the Water Wetter product, as it may have benefits. Would I put Engine ICE in my other bikes? I'd say probably not as I occasionally buy and sell good sport bikes for a small profit and I think the 40 bucks it a bit prohibitive when compared to about 8 or so for some Prestone (and I can get two gallons of mixed coolant from it.)

    Overall my impressions of Engine ICE is fair. I want to be objective and say that I didn't accumulate enough constant data both before and after to which to make this comparison truly more than one based upon my feelings. Do the extreme heat conditions here have something to do with it? I don't beleive they do, as the makes of this stuff say on their website that, "Engine Ice Hi-Performance Coolant ™ has undergone extensive testing in the extreme heat and humidity of Southern Florida" (see the "Questions" section on their page). They obviously feel that their product will do the job, but I know they're supposed to feel that way.

    Do I feel like I've received a substantial solution to reducing the heat in my VFR? No. I do not.

    Thanks for reading and I hope this is helpful! :biggrin:
     
    Last edited: Jun 18, 2009
  2. MrDen

    MrDen New Member

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    Thanx for sharing what you have learned Derek. I live in Phoenix, AZ where, as I'm sure you know, summer temps above 110 degress are not unusual. I was considering Engine Ice, but at $40.00 I believe I'll pass after reading of your experiences. Again, thank you for posting this up.:thumbsup:
     
  3. Joey_Dude

    Joey_Dude Member

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    That's pretty much my findings as well with EngineIce. I've gotten the best cooling from purified water and water wetter. I only use EngineIce for the winter as it gets below freezing. Thanks for the writeup!
     
  4. Derek Ashley

    Derek Ashley New Member

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    Hiya Guys,

    I'm glad to have provided some useful information on this product from my own perspective.

    As I type this reply I am simultaneously drafting a reply to the response I received from Engine ICE about my review. I felt it prudent to copy them on my post and they have replied to it. This is significant to me, as I feel that any reputable company offering a product is as only good as their commitment to it. I will make more available as it unfolds, but out of fairness to all concerned, I feel that transparency is demanded.

    I am intending to call them and discuss this particular application with them.

    Happy Friday to all, and watch for the grannies in caddies yappin on their cell phones! :biggrin:
     
  5. Big_Jim59

    Big_Jim59 Member

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    I'll add my two cents to this older thread. I changed out my coolant to Engine Ice. Temperatures today were right at 100 degrees. Riding a steady 75/80 mph saw engine temps in the high 180s to 200 degrees. When stopped the engine temp climbed to 220 easily but backed down to around 197 while underway. Temp hold at 224 at idle with fan running. This is pretty consistent with the readings I was getting with plan green antifreeze.
     
  6. skimad4x4

    skimad4x4 "Official" VFRWorld Greeter

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    Well spotted - an interesting back from the grave thread. I have never tried any of the propriety improved coolants - just let the Honda dealer do their stuff, and all is good. Those results suggest that if high operating temps is the issue, then investing in more mechanical upgrades would be a far better place to spend your money. If you search on here you will see plenty of ideas such as fitting a fan to the radiator which has no forced cooling, VTR fan swap so the fan actually works with the natural airflow not fighting it, and Tinks bigger oil cooler solution.

    Just my 2c


    SkiMad
     
  7. Big_Jim59

    Big_Jim59 Member

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    The most interesting thing I find, about my VFR cooling system, is it acts like an air cooled bike. In normal liquid cooled applications the radiator acts as a reservoir for abundant cool water. As the engine heats up, the thermostat opens and accept more cool water keeping the engine at a constant temperature. The VFR seems to mimic an air cooled bike where the engine temperature rises with the ambient air temperature. It peaks around 220 degrees when the fan drop the temp. After that there is not rime or reason to the engine temperature except that it comes down when underway and when the outside temperature drops. This seems to be a really stupid way to design a cooing system and after checking with others they all work this way. I think this is what makes me the most nervous about the cooling system. I think I got screwed on the Engine Ice as any kind of heat relief.
     
  8. CRFan1

    CRFan1 New Member

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    My experience with Engine Ice has been that the Bikes tend to run a few degrees cooler and cool off a bit quicker when underway. I have used it with great success on most of my bikes and dirt bikes (which are tuned right on the edge anyway) and it helps.
     
  9. vmotorman

    vmotorman New Member

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    I changed over from the Honda product to Ice prior to my first track day. I've noticed cooler operating temperatures even through the midwest drought season!
     
  10. Big_Jim59

    Big_Jim59 Member

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    I probably didn't give it a fair run since the temperature was 102. I'll give it a try in more moderate temps when it cools down a bit.
     
  11. Big_Jim59

    Big_Jim59 Member

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    OK so today I did give it a fair run. I did about 140 miles. The air temperatures were in the low 90s. The bike ran consistently hotter with Engine Ice running from 190 to 200 degrees under normal operation and jumping to 227 at stops. I don't know what mix of coolant I had before but it would run maybe 5 degrees cooler in all situations. I think I got Effed. I guess I'll be going with green anti-freeze at 50% to see how that works.

    I keep wondering if I might have some air still in the system but I can't see how I could. I did everything including warming it up, checking the levels at the filler neck and topping up at least three time.

    I am thinking about putting a piece of duct tap over the stinking temp readout. It drives me nuts!
     
  12. Fantastic!

    Fantastic! New Member

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    You need that gauge for paranoia fuel though!
     
  13. ridervfr

    ridervfr Member

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    I like St. Petes Beach, did a Halloween thing there a few years ago, we are south Floridians here though. I like Water-Wetter, thats just me though, usually I just add a cap full to the anti-freeze though...AnyWhoOoo-Happy Safe Riding...
     
  14. Big_Jim59

    Big_Jim59 Member

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    I did switch to the ambient temperature mode but I still KNOW it's hot. Paranoia cannot be denied so easily.

    Yep, I am going try anti-freeze and Water-Wetter next. It can't be any worse then this. It may be what I had before i just don't have any idea what the PO did.
     
  15. ftl900

    ftl900 New Member

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    Big Jim is right, I start looking at that temp gauge and then I can't leave it alone.

    I've installed a fan switch that helps to keep it from heating up. If I'm at a long light or descend into heavy traffic, I'll switch the fan on. But at slow speeds, the fan is fighting against the air current flowing thru the bike.
    And guess what, my VTR1000 has similar issues even tho it's a puller fan, not a pusher. I think the best way to go is adding another fan to the other radiator, but I haven't figured out a great solution there just yet- altho I do have a 100mm PC fan that I've been toying with, just haven't installed anything yet.

    To the OP, thanks for the long-ago write-up... a buddy suggested ENGINE ICE to me, but now I'm not likely to pop for it. Your thread was exactly the info I was looking for when I used the SEARCH feature.
     
  16. GreyVF750F

    GreyVF750F Member

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    Here ya go for a fan. I put one on the bottom fan of my VF750F when I put full body fairing on. Worked great and it's water proffed. Do need a couple of resistors to bring voltage down between 7v-13v. Easy to do. http://www.ebay.com/itm/180758652926?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2648

    Anti-freeze and WaterWetter won't help. What the WW extracts extra is held by the glycol and helps induce heat soak most of the time. WW support told me that when I had problems with a V8. Got rid of the gylcol and everything was cool from that point.
     
  17. Allyance

    Allyance Insider

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  18. sparx02vfr8zerozero

    sparx02vfr8zerozero New Member

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    What about adding a little water wetter to engine ice?
    I too switched to engine ice to be let down, to be really honest the radiator toesnt do jack for the engine. Movement cools her down faster hands down.
     
  19. V4toTour

    V4toTour New Member

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    If you are having troubles with engine temps, trying water wetter/ engine ice is more of a band aid or placebo than an actual solution. A properly maintained cooling system should be adequate on a good old mix of 50/50 (barring any lean conditions or exhuast blockages)
     
  20. maxair

    maxair New Member

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    I just wanted to chime in here... I have used ice in all our snowmobile motors for years.. During spring riding these motors get hot fast... Ice in this application runs the motors about 10 * cooler.. In my 06 vfr in stopped traffic it really does not run cooler.. However it Does cool down Quicker when u start to move above 25 to 30 mph and runs cooler on the highway on hot days 8 to 10 * cooler id say... The 06 has a larger oil cooler than past models which also helps. We run over size oil coolers on our dual sports with great success also.. Every little bit helps.........
     
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