How do you check your coolant level in preflight?

[sportjen]

Hello all,

I thought I'd ask how people check their coolant level before flight in a SportCruiser? Through the oil door, it's a little hard to see, below and inboard of the oil tank.

Long flashlight that bends?
Mirror?

Jen

[Dave Fisher]

I take the upper cowl off.

http://lsaeronaut.blogspot.com/2011/05/pests.html

[sportjen]

Lol, yeah. I don't want to have to do that all the time, so I went to Sears and got myself a long flashlight that is bendable, and I can insert it in there to illuminate the reservoir.

But there are likely other ways, and I enjoy learning from loathers.

Jen

[Joseph Kiefer]

Sears also sells an inspection mirror (oval mirror about 1x2" with a  telescope handle) that has a LED light.  It fits easily through the oil door and gives a good view of the coolant bottle.  About $12 US.