Jump to content
CBR1100XX.org Forum

How to know your radiator cap needs replacing...


Zero Knievel

Recommended Posts

If you struggle to get it off and on, that's a good sign.

I don't know if mine "failed" performance-wise, but for a couple of years it seemed like a fight to remove and put it back on. It was always a tight fit, so I thought it was just me getting older.

Well, this year, I left it off the bike for a few months after I flushed and drained the system for maintenance. I couldn't get the SOB to go back on for the longest time, and I looked and realized the "gasket" has swollen well past the metal surface it's supposed to seal.

Ordered a new OEM one from Ron Ayers. Put it on this afternoon. Easy as pie. Had I realized this, I could have saved myself a lot of work years ago.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The more common failure is the pressure seal and often goes un-noticed until overheating and boiling happens. The cap seal you were fighting with only keeps fluid or air from leaking on the non-pressure side of the cap. Somewhat odd that it swelled, that usually only happens when they get exposed to oil.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Difficult on my 99's as well. You have to get the right push-and-turn action to get it off, and even then it's hard.

You're just getting old.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My radiator has only been opened once in 16 years and 77K miles. I put Evans NevR boil in and forgot about it.

  • Upvote 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

You mean you're supposed to take that thing off and look inside???

Why??

Does the shit disappear when nobodies around?

jk.

No, but like engine oil, it will slowly loose it's lubrication and anti-corrosion properties.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Mine was a major bitch to remove when I bought the bike. I used some brake cleaner and a dental pick to clean and remove the seal since it had swolen. Cap snaps right on now.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Terms of Use