coolant level

[nytroman20]

Can someone tell me how to properly check the coolant level. I took the rad cap off yesterday and noticed that there was only noticeable coolant at the bottom of the rad. I started it up and she started pumping some back in. And my reservoir is full beyond the full mark.

I took the extra coolant out and added it to the rad but as I rode today the reservoir is full again and the rad is low to the bottom.

Any ideas?

Thanks!

 

[yox185]

How can you see fluid at the bottom?

 

[nytroman20]

I checked with a flashlight. Is it supposed to be empty?

 

[yox185]

No it's supposed to be full. When it's cold it should be right to the top. As it gets hot it expands creates pressure and overflows into the reservoir. Then as it cools down it's drawn back into the radiator.

 

[grizztracks]

The radiator should be full. You don't fill the system from the reservoir. If the coolant is pushing out of the radiator to the reservoir then the engine is either running hot or the radiator cap is possibly bad. The reservoir level will fluctuate with temp but when cold the radiator should be full. If you lose enough coolant your temperature indicator will no longer work because there's no fluid to read. You may be leaking coolant from a hose or heat exchanger. Check the sled over for leaks and having the system pressure checked may be a good idea.

 

[nytroman20]

Thanks guys! Don't like the sound of all this but I'll check it out. If not I'll bring it to my dealer

 

[nytroman20]

So I topped off the rad this morning while she was cold, took all the panels off and I let her get warm. There was no leaking. I checked the oil level and she's right where she was when I changed it and no sign of prestone. So I went for a 20 mins ride and sure enough its leaking out of the reservoir. It wasn't doing this last season. She's not burning it either. So I'll get a new rad cap and try that. Pita!

 

[nytroman20]

Could my thermostat be causing the problem? I don't know what else it could be.....

 

[yox185]

Could be. Usually it's the small things. Cheap to try it.

 

[nytroman20]

I'm gonna get it pressure tested this week. I hope it's not the gasket.

 

[Grimm]

I've found that if the level of the overflow tank was even with the "MIN" mark, that after a long ride, the overflow would puke out some coolant. Imo, I think the overflow tank is too small on the Nytros.

As long as the radiator is full and you can see a little bit of coolant in the overflow tank, you should be good. Keeping it below the "MIN" mark is what works for me.

Keep an eye on it, checking levels in both the radiator and the overflow tank on a regular basis. If you find that your radiator regularly is down on coolant, then there is something wrong.

Are you the original owner? Do you know if there was some work done on the sled that may have caused the low level of coolant, ie, added MTX tunnel heat exchanger, puncture rad or exchanger?

 

[nytroman20]

Does anyone know the psi rating of the rad cap?

 

[yox185]

Rad cap opening pressure. 15.3-19.5 psi

 

[nytroman20]

Thanks!