How do guys with big hands check the coolant?

[Captain Fin]

:banghead: Now I don't have big powerful hands, just medium size 65 year old weak hands. What a bear to get the cap off to check coolant. Anyone know an easy way to do this!

 

[btcherm]

I just call my son. he just pick up the hole thing.

 

[Bob Denman]

I just do a lot of this... :gaah: and then have the dealer check it for me. pps:

 

[NancysToy]

I shine a high powered light on the coolant tank and don't touch the cap.

:agree:

 

[jerpinoy]

I hope BRP are watching and taking notes. I'm sure they can make a better way in checking and filling the coolant. I would nice if they(BRP) listen to our needs and take action soon not later.hyea:

 

[Saluda]

If they listen I hope they don't forget their sleds. We've had a good time with certain years and models.

 

[gypsy_100]

:banghead: Now I don't have big powerful hands, just medium size 65 year old weak hands. What a bear to get the cap off to check coolant. Anyone know an easy way to do this!

I see you have an RT. No need to take the cap off to check coolant. The tank sits in the body such that about half the tank is visible from below, looking in from behind the front wheel. Half the tank is visible from above when you remove the access panel. Depending on your coolant level, one view or the other will show you the level of coolant. I like to keep mine on the high side so I fill it to the "full" mark on the tank. I find shining a flashlight under the wheel well up through the tank makes it very easy to see the coolant level from up top. If your coolant level is in the bottom half of the tank, shine a flashlight down thru the tank from the top while looking at it from the bottom. Play with it and you'll see what I mean. Very easy. Helps if the garage is dim not full sunlight.

 

[bertmc]

Lots of good suggestions for observing the level. Thanks. But what to do if you have to add some? When I tried to remove the cap a month ago, I could not get it to budge. Was afraid to put a pipe wrench on it.

 

[Sarge707]

Same here. I took of 2 panels and looked from behind with a spotlight and it was at the Lower line whick is OK (Cold) so I did not attempt to loosen the cap because I get the opinion you NOT gonna get it back on?????:yikes:

I will check during the winter to see if the level goes down at All!

 

[Captain Fin]

Thanks

Same here. I took of 2 panels and looked from behind with a spotlight and it was at the Lower line whick is OK (Cold) so I did not attempt to loosen the cap because I get the opinion you NOT gonna get it back on?????:yikes:

I will check during the winter to see if the level goes down at All!

I guess it's like checking eggs then. I did get it off and back on, but had a few dings on the top of my right hand from the low clearance of the Tupperware.

 

[NancysToy]

Lots of good suggestions for observing the level. Thanks. But what to do if you have to add some? When I tried to remove the cap a month ago, I could not get it to budge. Was afraid to put a pipe wrench on it.

Coolant caps have to be pushed down and turned simultaneously to be removed. Just turning it is not enough, although they will twist back on. Removing the cap with a tool will damage the coolant tank. The best access is gained by removing the adjacent body panel, but the RT is still a tight fit. Find a friend with skinnier hands, or hire a professional contortionist.


When replacing the cap, be sure to tighten it back to the second detent. If you quit at the first notch, the coolant will overflow.

 

[harrypottar]

Just have the wife do it, now before any one gets on their high horse about miss treating my wife, I do I least let the bike cool down first. Gee what do you take me for :roflblack:

harry

 

[ivanlee]

coolant tank

change it to a tank with sight glass, or maybe change it to a 2013 tank on the new spyders.

 

[jerpinoy]

change it to a tank with sight glass, or maybe change it to a 2013 tank on the new spyders.

Is the site glass accessible without removing any panel?

 

[ivanlee]

Is the site glass accessible without removing any panel?

Remove the cover over the rad cap.