Coolant sight window?

1199 dreamer · Jul 13, 2014

Anyone come up with a good technique on viewing the level of coolant in the sight window? I've tried using U.V. Light to get the coolant to fluoresce, didn't work. Lighting from different angles, didn't work either. I will pull the fairings and check to make sure I'm not THAT low tomorrow.. But figured I'd ask..

leftcoast32 · Jul 13, 2014

I just pull the side bodywork and use a long zip-tie like a dipstick.

Tom yfz · Jul 13, 2014

If you are pulling the fairing anyway, just pull the small hose off under the radiator cap, pull the hose out of the groove where it is located and lower the end of the hose straight down and the coolant will come out of the hose end when it is the same level as what's inside the tank.
Exact coolant level.....

Oops, sorry for the sideways picture.

PaddockStand · Jul 14, 2014

Get a pewerful LED torch and hold the nose of the touch against the bottom of the coolant level indicator in the wheel well, as if shining though the level indicator into the tank. Hold the torch right up flush to the tank. Get someone else to hold the bike upright and shake from side to side. You'll be able to see the fluid level in the window as it moves around. Make sure the torch is right at the bottom of the level indicator. Helps if you do it in a dark place like your garage rather than bright sunlight.

Just changed the coolant in mine, 2 years old, and the temps have dropped 20C! Old coolant was totally fried. I'd recommend a change every 12 to 18 months and not 36 months as per service schedule. Shell Advanced is turquoise blue, which helps.

1199 dreamer · Jul 14, 2014

Thanks everyone for responding.. PaddockStand, I was able to do exactly as you described ,but with a U.V. Flashlight. It really makes the coolant glow bright. I was surprised at how low it was. My dealer gave me a free container of coolant Ducati recommended they use (Agip). I had a coolant leak last year that was repaired under warranty, so the had completely drained the system and refilled with the Agip. It is slightly pink in color. Thank again everyone.

R

fireman1251 · Jul 14, 2014

2nd Pani and I never looked at the coolant level. Engine temps are fine, why bother?

PaddockStand · Jul 15, 2014

Over time the temps slowly climb and you might not notice it other than in town traffic. At 25C ambient and 40mph I'm now seeing mid 70's. It was mid 90's before and would only drop in cooler weather or at 60mph+

I was supprised how much of a difference it made.

Fragile · Jul 20, 2014

Good luck looking at temp to determine coolant level, there's just too many variables, ambient temp and airflow being one of them. Put it this way, if you did not have any coolant in the bike it would simply overheat. If you bike does not overheat, then your coolant should be fine. The flashlight idea is very true, but you don't really need to pin it to the window. You just have to find the right angle/ refraction angle for the light to refract off the coolant behind the translucent plastic window for you to see the coolant line. You also need very good color recognition to see the fluid line. If you are that concerned about exact coolant topoff then remove the fairing and put a dipstick in there.

Brad · Jul 20, 2014

Fragile said:
Good luck looking at temp to determine coolant level, there's just too many variables, ambient temp and airflow being one of them. Put it this way, if you did not have any coolant in the bike it would simply overheat. If you bike does not overheat, then your coolant should be fine. The flashlight idea is very true, but you don't really need to pin it to the window. You just have to find the right angle/ refraction angle for the light to refract off the coolant behind the translucent plastic window for you to see the coolant line. You also need very good color recognition to see the fluid line. If you are that concerned about exact coolant topoff then remove the fairing and put a dipstick in there.

+1
Excellent post

Coolant sight window?

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