MuayThaiFan

Has anyone experienced having their coolant boiling and coming out of the overflow tube, and then have their coolant levels lower than the specified level? Is that possible?

Asking because after being stucked in traffic at Customs, I had my coolant come out through the overflow tube and now the bike seems to be running hotter than usual, wonder if the coolant level is low.

I tried looking at the coolant reservoir under the seat, I cleaned the plastic container's exterior and shone a torch then shook the bike, but I just could not detect the level of coolant in there. I know there's coolant in there, and the level is probably not the problem, because I've previously overfilled the coolant till it could be seen through the reservoir fill neck, but still can't see it through the reservoir container.

Is there a simple trick/fix for this to make it possible to check the coolant level? Thanks.

redxxrdr

Mine overflowed like that last month. A friend was riding it in low gears in traffic.
The best thing to do would be to remove the right lower, and pull the radiator cap with the bike cool.
I bet the radiator will be full, but you will know. You can also pull the tail plastic for a side view of the overflow. I just shine a light straight down the bottle and shake as you did.

As to why it happened? I suspect my radiator cap is weak and is not holding pressure. This would allow more expansion and overflow to the bottle.
I plan to add one to my list of small parts to order.

MuayThaiFan

Thanks for the idea Red, I was shining my light AT the reservoir, I'll try your method of shining a light INTO the fill tube instead and see if that's better.

Will try it out and post back!

MuayThaiFan

Just an update. I tried shining a light at the tank, but still can't really see the level that way. I guess running water wetter (very slight pink) doesn't help either. I just use Yo's method of inserting a flexible rubber tubing to check for coolant level.

My problem of coolant bubbling out was because of the dealer mixing up the hoses at the right side of the radiator, they switched the tubes going to the reservoir tank and the engine. Now it's fixed, the bike is fine.

bullet

.....hey ...just take a black wire and put it in the coolant overflow reservoir....

Toynut

In the future, you can always put a few drops of food coloring in the reservoir and let it mix with the antifreeze. It will add much more contrast to the liquid and be visible with a lot less hassle. It's also harmless to the cooling system.

__________________
Al
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Momma always said "the best things in life are free"! OK,sure.............
Then again, Momma never rode a motorcycle, either!

MuayThaiFan

Huh? What does a black wire do?

OZDave

I was hoping someone else would ask first. Well???????

__________________
Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get me!

bullet

.....if the overflow reservoir gets dirty and cant see a thing....i just put a long black wire in it ...pull it out and read the antifreeze level.......