Checking Antifreeze level?

Got any tips and tricks for BMW R1200RT/R1250RT owners? feel free to share them here.
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Randyjaco
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Checking Antifreeze level?

Post by Randyjaco »

With all of this summer heat, I am more concerned with the level of my antifreeze. I have found that it is nearly impossible to see the level through that tiny port in the fairing. (I use Prestone rather than the BMW blue). I have been considering adding something highly visible to float on top of the solution; something along the line of mini ping pong balls. I am just trying to figure out something that isn't going to decompose or otherwise cause problems. Any suggestions?
OTOH:Is there some sort of dye that I can use?
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David.
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Re: Checking Antifreeze level?

Post by David. »

Looks like Prestone is yellow and designed to mix with other makes of antifreeze with out affecting the original colour.

Prestone Coolant/Antifreeze - YouTube

With the RT coolant expansion tank being slightly opaque, perhaps there is a good reason for BMW blue.

Why Is Coolant Different Colours? | Prestone (holtsauto.com)
Last edited by David. on Mon Aug 01, 2022 8:20 pm, edited 1 time in total.
BoB21
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Re: Checking Antifreeze level?

Post by BoB21 »

Hi,On wethead shine a torch from the front of bike by radiator at level of bottle an the level becomes very clear to see.
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Steve398
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Re: Checking Antifreeze level?

Post by Steve398 »

BoB21 wrote: Hi,On wethead shine a torch from the front of bike by radiator at level of bottle an the level becomes very clear to see.

I can never see the level through the peephole on my 2018, and invariably have to take the panel off to peer inside the opaque bottle to see the level.


Why can’t they make it a darker distinctive colour or find a better way to display it?
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David.
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Re: Checking Antifreeze level?

Post by David. »

Why can't they make the coolant expansion tank out of something which is transparent not opaque.
joeducati
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Re: Checking Antifreeze level?

Post by joeducati »

[/quote]
Agree, pretty tough to see the level, even with the blue stuff. I just got my bike so I pulled the panel off to make sure of the level and it was below the minimum. After I put the panel back on I pointed my bright flashlight from the front and looked through the peep hole and could barley see the level then....
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Re: Checking Antifreeze level?

Post by BoB21 »

Only use penlike torch and shows up well through peephole when shined from correct position. If remember correctly from front amd shine up. Always f about bit till find right angle.
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Re: Checking Antifreeze level?

Post by Doctor T »

Some antifreeze is Bioluminescent. Much easier to see with a LED black light even through the smallest hole.
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