Dirt during coolant check

sandtrack315
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sandtrack315
Anyone else worry about dirt falling into the radiator when they check their coolant at the track? Underside of the cap seems like a perfect spot for dirt to build up. Or am I just overly paranoid? Good to check it often, but don’t want dirt getting in there. Any advice?
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swordfish
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swordfish 10/28/2022 4:03am
10/28/2022 4:03am
Don’t check it when it’s dirty.
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seth505
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seth505 10/28/2022 7:21am
10/28/2022 7:21am
If I absolutely must check, I just wipe the entire area around it first. Fuel tank, shroud, under the shroud where it can partially cover the cap, the fuel breather hose, literally anything that could drop a dirt bomb in there.
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Moto520
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Moto520 10/28/2022 12:01pm
10/28/2022 12:01pm
I check it the night before when i'm going over my bike. At this time the bike is clean from the last ride and in a controlled environment. I don't think you are being weird about it....dirt in the coolant tank would suck. I figure that checking it once before a ride day is good enough. It may go down a little but not enough to matter....one check is good for the day.
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sandtrack315
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sandtrack315 10/28/2022 12:24pm
10/28/2022 12:24pm Edited Date/Time 10/28/2022 12:38pm
seth505 wrote:
If I absolutely must check, I just wipe the entire area around it first. Fuel tank, shroud, under the shroud where it can partially cover the...
If I absolutely must check, I just wipe the entire area around it first. Fuel tank, shroud, under the shroud where it can partially cover the cap, the fuel breather hose, literally anything that could drop a dirt bomb in there.
This makes sense. Is there any ever dirt underneath the cap? That’s what I’m most worried about. You twist that and the dirt falls off and right into your radiator. I guess that upper seal would block most of that, though?

I usually do it when I wash the bike, but I only wash it every 2-3 rides. I ride alone, so filter is usually good for that long, 4-5 hours on the oil. But yeah, wanting to do it between washes as well, since I ride a lot of deep sand, the coolant can boil over.

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kb228
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kb228 10/28/2022 12:54pm
10/28/2022 12:54pm
Clean your bike every ride then its a non-issue
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Leeham
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Leeham 10/28/2022 1:30pm
10/28/2022 1:30pm
Give the cap a solid tap with a wrench or something. Any loose dirt that would fall when you pull it should fall. But I haven't noticed dirt to really build up there, and I ride in pretty wet conditions often. I only check my coolant a couple times a year, even after 96°F days I am not down any. However on a YZ250F, competent level speed.
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sandtrack315
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sandtrack315 10/29/2022 7:20am
10/29/2022 7:20am
kb228 wrote:
Clean your bike every ride then its a non-issue
Waste of time, and you risk electrical issues and water in the air box if you don’t change the filter and use a cover.
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sandtrack315
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sandtrack315 10/29/2022 7:24am
10/29/2022 7:24am
Leeham wrote:
Give the cap a solid tap with a wrench or something. Any loose dirt that would fall when you pull it should fall. But I haven't...
Give the cap a solid tap with a wrench or something. Any loose dirt that would fall when you pull it should fall. But I haven't noticed dirt to really build up there, and I ride in pretty wet conditions often. I only check my coolant a couple times a year, even after 96°F days I am not down any. However on a YZ250F, competent level speed.
Yeah to be honest I don’t lose much coolant, but smelt something odd at the end of a 30 at a deep sand track last time I rode. When I was younger I’m pretty sure I never checked it!
Rickyisms 10/29/2022 8:02am
10/29/2022 8:02am
I’m jealous of you guys that can go more than one ride on a filter, here in FL even if I ride alone the dust and silt just cakes my filter every time.
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sandtrack315
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sandtrack315 10/29/2022 9:47am
10/29/2022 9:47am
Rickyisms wrote:
I’m jealous of you guys that can go more than one ride on a filter, here in FL even if I ride alone the dust and...
I’m jealous of you guys that can go more than one ride on a filter, here in FL even if I ride alone the dust and silt just cakes my filter every time.
Really? NJ sand for whatever reason isn’t bad. I also think it’s bike specific.

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