Checking coolant level

[ylbill]

Hey all, am I the only one having trouble checking the coolant level? I'm having the darndest time checking the coolant level at the tank. I went to my dealer and they showed me how they do it without removing the bearclaw, even with the bearclaw removed I find it difficult to see thru the grayish colored coolant tank. I couldn't see what they were seeing (darker water line). I don't know why in the world Triumph put a gray colored tank instead of a white tank. it would make it a lot easier to see the darker coolant. Anyway, the dealer said ..it's right where it needed to be. I went home and used a pippet tube to check level....guess what.....the coolant tank was so low it barely registered in the tube, I had to put enough in the tank to bring it between the max and min line. Are there white coolant tanks available for the R3? If i can't find a good way to check I'll have to make my own sight glass mod since it's not under pressure.

 

[xhdskip]

A sight glass would sure be handy.
Can't wait to see what you come up with there.
I'd like one myself...
i don't have to try to see in the tank,
I just unscrew the cap and look in the canteen to see
if there's fluid in there or not, but a sight glass would sure be handy.

 

[ylbill]

Even if i take the bearclaw off it's still difficult to see the level because of the angle of the neck to the tank. I'm going to contact my local dealer tomorrow to see if they have one laying around. My R3 is in the shop for an ignition problem, seems to be the switch and relay. If they don't have one I'll buy one to make a tank mod....shouldn't be difficult. I'll keep ya posted.

 

[RocketEd]

If they have a new Roadster in the shop, see how much trouble you have checking coolant level on it. It's dead nuts simple/easy to check on my Roadster, maybe the tank's a different color??

Switch coolant color for more contrast maybe?

Just never been an issue on either of my Rockets for some reason.

 

[ylbill]

I'll check it when I go to the dealership. The coolant tank color for the new Roadster if I'm not mistaken is white which contrasts nicely with the colored coolant . The older R3's , mine is an 05 (my 3rd) , have a gray colored coolant tank (not white) . I don't know if subsequent year models had a change in coolant tank color, I was hoping someone had an easier way to check without having to remove the bearclaw everytime and dip stick the tank. I do know this, I'm moving forward with my plans to make a "coolant tank sight glass", who knows, there may be a lot of interest for something like that.

 

[Gothlander]

I have a 06 std with the gray header tank. When I had trouble checking the level I noticed that when I pushed it out on the lawn for a wash that I could see the level. This is after checking with a torch in the carport with no success. So the lesson is that if you can get the sun to shine on your tank you should be able to see the level.

 

[Blastedbones]

Just over fill it, give it a good run, & the heat will piss out the excess thru the overflow drain tube... job done!

 

[zimtuff]

I rock the bike a little and can usually see it moving around

 

[ruzzle]

That certainly makes it easier....

 

[ylbill]

Just over fill it, give it a good run, & the heat will piss out the excess thru the overflow drain tube... job done!

That works..easy peazy. The gears are turning in my head, I think they won't stop until I make the sight glass modification. This is absolutely ridiculous to think you have to go to these lengths to check coolant on the beast!