Water Wetter or just distilled water?

[1moreroad]

Managed to get off the waitlist and into some NESBA track days next month.

It looks like NESBA recommends just distilled water for coolant but will allow Water Wetter.

I will have this in the engine for about 2 weeks & 2 track days and then, since it's November and the bike may be in sub-freezing weather outside over the winter, I need to switch right back to "normal" anti-freeze.

For 2 track days and just 2 weeks total, would you recommend I mix Water Wetter or just go with distilled water in the radiator?

TIA

[et]

It all depends upon how hard you'll be riding on the track.
Water alone supposedly runs cooler than antifreeze/water mix.
(Antifreeze is slippery AND hard to clean up off the track; hence that's why you aren't allowed to use anitfreeze in race/track bikes.)
But water with Water Wetter runs a little cooler than just plain water.
Since Water Wetter is only a few dollars; I say use Water Wetter.
Just make certain that you switch back to anitfreeze before the first night below freezing !

[garry]

I would use the Water Wetter if you already have some. If not, don't worry about it since the weather is cool and it's only a couple weeks. I'd use Water Wetter in the spring when you're getting the bike ready for next season's track days.

[miles]

Watter Wetter is cheap, and will help it run cooler.  My experience on the track, though, is that you don't even need a cooling fan- after all, you are typically going fast, and not sitting in stop-and-go traffic on the track.  I wouldn't worry about it for a late-season track day.  Just run distilled water and call it good enough.  


miles

[kevin_stevens]

Managed to get off the waitlist and into some NESBA track days next month.

It looks like NESBA recommends just distilled water for coolant but will allow Water Wetter.

I will have this in the engine for about 2 weeks & 2 track days and then, since it's November and the bike may be in sub-freezing weather outside over the winter, I need to switch right back to "normal" anti-freeze.

For 2 track days and just 2 weeks total, would you recommend I mix Water Wetter or just go with distilled water in the radiator?

TIA

I never recommend just distilled water for extended periods because it doesn't have any of the water pump seal lubricants needed.  You can get some other products than WW - I think "Engine Ice" or similar is one, that are safe for track use and also provide anti-freeze capability.  They use propylene glycol instead of ethylene.  Ethyl always was a slippery bitch!  

KeS

[Windblown]

You'll be be fine either way as said above for a couple of weeks. Side note: I'd use WW, Engine Ice isn't allowed by all tracks/orgs.

As was said above, WW is cheap and a bottle should last you a few years, a little goes a long ways. Takes about 5 minutes at the most to make the swap on most bikes.  Have fun!

My last TD till next spring is tomorrow.   Unless dynamic forces beyond my control find me on a road trip to Florida for a TD during the winter  

[Mr Sunshine]

I never recommend just distilled water for extended periods because it doesn't have any of the water pump seal lubricants needed.  You can get some other products than WW - I think "Engine Ice" or similar is one, that are safe for track use and also provide anti-freeze capability.  They use propylene glycol instead of ethylene.  Ethyl always was a slippery bitch!  

KeS

Engine Ice is not approved by my racing organization as it is still slippery when wet...plus its green.

[kevin_stevens]

Engine Ice is not approved by my racing organization as it is still slippery when wet...plus its green.

That's not what I'm thinking of, then - the two I've been told about are blue and purple.

KeS

[Gaolee]

Water Wetter is pink.  For what its worth, if you are doing your fist trackday ever, you will be in the beginning group.  Unless other parts of the country are completely different from out here, NESBA only requires you to change out the coolant if you are in the advanced group.  As an intermediate hack, I haven't ever changed out my coolant.

[kevin_stevens]

Water Wetter is pink.  For what its worth, if you are doing your fist trackday ever, you will be in the beginning group.  Unless other parts of the country are completely different from out here, NESBA only requires you to change out the coolant if you are in the advanced group.  As an intermediate hack, I haven't ever changed out my coolant.

It varies by track and sponsor.  I had to change the coolant out of my ZX-14 for a novice track day last month, at a track where I didn't have to when running intermediate a few months previously.  With WaterWetter, so I know it's pink.  Engine Ice is blue, not green, and is formulated as I stated above.  I don't remember what the purple one was, I saw the information as part of a thread on another forum.

KeS

[Windblown]

NESBA only requires you to change out the coolant if you are in the advanced group.  As an intermediate hack, I haven't ever changed out my coolant.

That's true. However changing out your coolant is a nice safety measure for your fellow track riders. If coolant gets thrown across the track it's going to shut down the track for an extended time while they try to clean it up.  Same goes for safety wiring the oil drain, oil fill, and oil filter. As an added benifit safety wiring these things helps protect you at all times, street or track.

Most of us TD folks have sat around waiting for an oil or anti-freeze spill to get cleaned up. At about a dollar a minute for track time for each rider waiting that adds up quick. (and most have probably witnesses a rider crash due to a spill on the trackl)

[Gaolee]

Agreed.  I now have a complete belly pan on my bike.  It took about an hour to clean up the mess my old bike made when it threw a rod through the front of the engine.  I am not sure a belly pan would have contained the mess, but it sure would have helped.  Everything will be wired and changed out next summer, since the bike just keeps getting more serious all the time.

[Busy Little Whiner]

Wetter or just go with distilled water in the radiator?

TIA

Water Wetter protects your engine against rust better than straight H2o...  

[miles]

Water Wetter protects your engine against rust better than straight H2o...  

Sure, but if he's just going to change out his glycol for one track weekend, then put glycol back in it doesn't matter.  If it were a dedicated track bike, then by all means put the Watter Wetter in.

[Busy Little Whiner]

Sure, but if he's just going to change out his glycol for one track weekend, then put glycol back in it doesn't matter.  If it were a dedicated track bike, then by all means put the Watter Wetter in.

It does matter if the water pump propeller is common steel or uncommon
plastic... if steel then the propeller begins rusting... if plastic then no worries...