'Crystals' in antifreeze
- Wingnut95
- Posts: 19
- Joined: Wed Jul 08, 2015 4:32 am
- Location: British Columbia, Canada
- Motorcycle: 1995 GL 1500 SE
'Crystals' in antifreeze
Hi all,
My apologies if there is an answer elsewhere that I haven't been able to find. My GL1500 has what I can best describe as crystals in my overflow. I've flushed the antifreeze 2 years ago thinking that would solve the problem as I thought maybe the previous owner had put some non-distilled water or the incorrect coolant in the overflow. But, alas, it has come back, and the bike does overheat quite quickly when standing still.
Any thoughts on a cause, or a fix?
Thanks in advance,
Todd
My apologies if there is an answer elsewhere that I haven't been able to find. My GL1500 has what I can best describe as crystals in my overflow. I've flushed the antifreeze 2 years ago thinking that would solve the problem as I thought maybe the previous owner had put some non-distilled water or the incorrect coolant in the overflow. But, alas, it has come back, and the bike does overheat quite quickly when standing still.
Any thoughts on a cause, or a fix?
Thanks in advance,
Todd
Love to ride!
95 SE
95 SE
Re: 'Crystals' in antifreeze
Have you changed your thermostat? Are your fans working?
- WingAdmin
- Site Admin
- Posts: 21604
- Joined: Fri Oct 03, 2008 4:16 pm
- Location: Strongsville, OH
- Motorcycle: 2000 GL1500 SE
1982 GL1100A Aspencade (sold)
1989 PC800 (sold)
1998 XV250 Virago (sold)
2012 Suzuki Burgman 400 (wife's!)
2007 Aspen Sentry Trailer
Re: 'Crystals' in antifreeze
The two usual suspects are silicate deposits from (incorrect) coolant containing silicates, or minerals from the use of non-distilled water. You said you already flushed it...so failing any other reasonable potential causes, I would just flush again and refill with good, new coolant.
- CrystalPistol
- Posts: 1419
- Joined: Wed Mar 10, 2010 9:07 pm
- Location: Shenandoah Valley of Virginia
- Motorcycle: 1997 GL1500SE/'98 Lehman Trike
Re: 'Crystals' in antifreeze
Flush and refill with either Honda or other non silicate coolant and distilled water mix.
Never seen crystals in mine. You have two radiators connected, fans work, and it heats up? Wow?
Maybe you have sediment from a prior owners use of not so clean water, or well water?
Never seen crystals in mine. You have two radiators connected, fans work, and it heats up? Wow?
Maybe you have sediment from a prior owners use of not so clean water, or well water?
Make Courtesy your "Code of the Road" …
… & Have a Safe Trip!
… & Have a Safe Trip!

- WingAdmin
- Site Admin
- Posts: 21604
- Joined: Fri Oct 03, 2008 4:16 pm
- Location: Strongsville, OH
- Motorcycle: 2000 GL1500 SE
1982 GL1100A Aspencade (sold)
1989 PC800 (sold)
1998 XV250 Virago (sold)
2012 Suzuki Burgman 400 (wife's!)
2007 Aspen Sentry Trailer
Re: 'Crystals' in antifreeze
I use the OEM Honda coolant, it does not require adding distilled water, as it is already a 50/50 premix:
https://www.amazon.com/Honda-08C50-C321 ... ref=sr_1_2
https://www.amazon.com/Honda-08C50-C321 ... ref=sr_1_2
- CrystalPistol
- Posts: 1419
- Joined: Wed Mar 10, 2010 9:07 pm
- Location: Shenandoah Valley of Virginia
- Motorcycle: 1997 GL1500SE/'98 Lehman Trike
Re: 'Crystals' in antifreeze
WingAdmin wrote: ↑Fri Jun 07, 2019 4:00 pmI use the OEM Honda coolant, it does not require adding distilled water, as it is already a 50/50 premix:
https://www.amazon.com/Honda-08C50-C321 ... ref=sr_1_2
Yep , what I use in the GLs anyway. Never was cheap, but then GLs don't take a lot.
Maybe this says it better?
Flush and refill with either Honda mix ….. or other non silicate coolant and distilled water mix.
Make Courtesy your "Code of the Road" …
… & Have a Safe Trip!
… & Have a Safe Trip!

Re: 'Crystals' in antifreeze
Of the many used cars and trucks I have bought, seen my fair share of crystallized antifreeze. Usually it is on the under side of the radiator cap. It is chemicals in tap water.
"PURE JUICE FOR YOUR GOOSE"
I eliminate this completely by using distilled bottle water at about $2.00 gallon or the near FREE water from my dehumidifier. It is a cold distilled process but if you want the "bugs" killed, boil it for 10 minutes. The little critters will rise to the surface to be skimmed off.
I have garage stored two 1/2 gallon jugs of dehumidifier water and after 1 year there is nothing floating. Tho I would not drink it without boiling first.
'
"PURE JUICE FOR YOUR GOOSE"
I eliminate this completely by using distilled bottle water at about $2.00 gallon or the near FREE water from my dehumidifier. It is a cold distilled process but if you want the "bugs" killed, boil it for 10 minutes. The little critters will rise to the surface to be skimmed off.
I have garage stored two 1/2 gallon jugs of dehumidifier water and after 1 year there is nothing floating. Tho I would not drink it without boiling first.

'
It is good we have dreams, for if they were real, most would not be alive.
Smile for yourself next time you wake up, you have another fine day to live.
Smile for yourself next time you wake up, you have another fine day to live.
- Wingnut95
- Posts: 19
- Joined: Wed Jul 08, 2015 4:32 am
- Location: British Columbia, Canada
- Motorcycle: 1995 GL 1500 SE
Re: 'Crystals' in antifreeze
Much appreciate the advice. While I’ve got the antifreeze drained, I think I’ll pop off the water pump as it seems to be making a bit of noise, and hand check the bearings. Is it best to drain the block hot so as to open up the thermostat?
Love to ride!
95 SE
95 SE
- Mh434
- Posts: 1512
- Joined: Tue Mar 25, 2014 10:24 pm
- Location: Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
- Motorcycle: 1997 gl1500 SE
Previous:
1981 GL1100I
1989 Kawasaki Concours
Re: 'Crystals' in antifreeze
The reason that 100% silicate-free antifreeze is required in the 'Wing is because the silicates act, basically, like sand in your coolant. The use of silicate-content coolant has led to many a destroyed 'Wing coolant pump.
I can't get the Honda OEM stuff here, but if you shop judiciously you can find other brands of antifreeze with zero silicates.
I can't get the Honda OEM stuff here, but if you shop judiciously you can find other brands of antifreeze with zero silicates.
- DenverWinger
- Posts: 1687
- Joined: Thu Jun 23, 2011 2:20 pm
- Location: Denver, CO
- Motorcycle: (s)
1980 GL1100 STD Vetter (2005-)
1993 GL1500 Aspencade (2017-)
1983 Trav-Lite Camper (2010-)
Past rides
1972 CL350 (1980-1988) sold
1978 Suzuki GS550 (1985-2005) sold
1977 GL1000 (2002-2006) sold
Re: 'Crystals' in antifreeze
Doesn't say so on the jug, but one of the members inquired the manufacturer and it turns out that good ol' Green Prestone is silicate-free.
♫ 99 Little Bugs in the Code, ♪
♪ 99 Bugs in the Code. ♫
♫ Take one down, Patch it around, ♪
♫ 127 Little Bugs in the Code. ♫ ♪
~Mark
♪ 99 Bugs in the Code. ♫

♫ Take one down, Patch it around, ♪
♫ 127 Little Bugs in the Code. ♫ ♪

~Mark
- MikeB
- Posts: 3173
- Joined: Fri Dec 04, 2009 12:54 pm
- Location: Tacoma, WA
- Motorcycle: 1998 - GL1500 Aspencade
184K Miles
2017 - GL1800 Audio Comfort
14K Miles - Contact:
Re: 'Crystals' in antifreeze
Are there no Honda dealers there?Mh434 wrote: ↑Sat Jun 08, 2019 1:23 pmThe reason that 100% silicate-free antifreeze is required in the 'Wing is because the silicates act, basically, like sand in your coolant. The use of silicate-content coolant has led to many a destroyed 'Wing coolant pump.
I can't get the Honda OEM stuff here, but if you shop judiciously you can find other brands of antifreeze with zero silicates.
MikeB
1998 - GL1500 w/184,500 miles ~ 2017 - GL1800 w/13000 miles
USAF Avionics Communications Tech - 1968 - 1986 / Flight Engineer C-130E - C-141B - 1986 - 1992. Retired
Industrial Maintenance Tech - 1992 - 2014
Retired in Tacoma, WA
1998 - GL1500 w/184,500 miles ~ 2017 - GL1800 w/13000 miles
USAF Avionics Communications Tech - 1968 - 1986 / Flight Engineer C-130E - C-141B - 1986 - 1992. Retired
Industrial Maintenance Tech - 1992 - 2014
Retired in Tacoma, WA
- Mh434
- Posts: 1512
- Joined: Tue Mar 25, 2014 10:24 pm
- Location: Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
- Motorcycle: 1997 gl1500 SE
Previous:
1981 GL1100I
1989 Kawasaki Concours
Re: 'Crystals' in antifreeze
Yeah, there is one, but when I called they said they didn't have any in stock, and wasn't planning on ordering any.... 

- Rambozo
- Posts: 490
- Joined: Sun Apr 01, 2018 8:36 pm
- Location: Disneyland
- Motorcycle: 1992 GL1500 Aspencade
Re: 'Crystals' in antifreeze
Then just use the Amazon link Wingadmin posted, or this one for CA
"www.amazon.com/dp/B0039OTLRW/?tag=goldwingdocs-20"
Edit: Looks like something in the forum prevents me from posting an Amazon.ca link.

- MikeB
- Posts: 3173
- Joined: Fri Dec 04, 2009 12:54 pm
- Location: Tacoma, WA
- Motorcycle: 1998 - GL1500 Aspencade
184K Miles
2017 - GL1800 Audio Comfort
14K Miles - Contact:
Re: 'Crystals' in antifreeze
The Honda car dealership will normally have the antifreeze also.
MikeB
1998 - GL1500 w/184,500 miles ~ 2017 - GL1800 w/13000 miles
USAF Avionics Communications Tech - 1968 - 1986 / Flight Engineer C-130E - C-141B - 1986 - 1992. Retired
Industrial Maintenance Tech - 1992 - 2014
Retired in Tacoma, WA
1998 - GL1500 w/184,500 miles ~ 2017 - GL1800 w/13000 miles
USAF Avionics Communications Tech - 1968 - 1986 / Flight Engineer C-130E - C-141B - 1986 - 1992. Retired
Industrial Maintenance Tech - 1992 - 2014
Retired in Tacoma, WA
- Snowmoer
- Posts: 178
- Joined: Fri Jan 25, 2013 12:23 pm
- Location: Cedar City UT
- Motorcycle: 2012 GL 1800
1977 GL 1000
2012 KLR 650
Re: 'Crystals' in antifreeze
This is what I have been using. Same blue stuff that Honda cars are using and I can get it at Wal Mart. So far, so good, no issues to report.
- Mh434
- Posts: 1512
- Joined: Tue Mar 25, 2014 10:24 pm
- Location: Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
- Motorcycle: 1997 gl1500 SE
Previous:
1981 GL1100I
1989 Kawasaki Concours
Re: 'Crystals' in antifreeze
I believe that's the same stuff I used, when I couldn't get the Honda stuff. Looks to me, from the label, that it's exactly what is required.
- khspe2
- Posts: 46
- Joined: Wed Sep 11, 2013 10:08 pm
- Location: Lawrenceville, NJ
- Motorcycle: 1991 Gold Wing GL1500SE
1988 Gold Wing GL1500
Re: 'Crystals' in antifreeze
Another alternative. Available at most Advance and Autozone stores. $20.