Hello,


I have a CBR500R and did a coolant flush and fill right before winter since I would continue riding it through winter. When I finished and filled her up I noticed that there were some black specks floating on top, so I looked at the bottom of the radiator cap and it looked like it was peeling. This is my only form of transportation, so I put the cap back on since I couldn't wait to go to the dealer for a new cap and have been riding since November that way.


My question is, should I replace the cap? I was thinking about doing a flush and fill with distilled water for this Spring/Summer and would like to know if I should bother replacing the cap as well. Does that sort of thing happen to radiator caps often?


My bike only had about 4700 miles when I did the flush, so I found it a little early for the radiator cap to start peeling.


Thank you for any help!

 

The caps can fail, and they need to have the correct pressure setting to allow the cooling system to bleed coolant into the overflow.

You can order one and your current one should work until the new one comes. But you don't wantbto use that one forever.

 

Thank you! I'll go ahead and purchase one for the next time I change my coolant. Also, is distilled water recommended for summer riding?

 

Here's some cap info in this LINK that may help. The Honda ones can be pricey and may have to be ordered.

I'd refill it with coolant. The coolant will help lubricate the water pump and it is designed to pull heat off of the engine. Coolant has anti-rust properties as well, so anything in contact with it won't break down.