Leak near exhaust headers SOLVED

[john.esher]

I'm restoring a 1999 Interstate that my elderly Dad gave to my son for his 18th birthay. It's got 81K in mileage and has been in every state in the lower 48 when he was riding, so it was well taken care of, and more importantly for these bikes I'm learning, riden.

It hadn't been ridden in at least 7 years, so the tank was rusted and after that hurdle came carburetor cleaning, oil change, coolant flush, brake & clutch flushing, final drive change, new brakes and the tires are arriving today. It runs well now, but I did notice a leak yesterday on my leak detection system.

It's coming from underneath and pooling on the exhaust manifold bolts. Feels slightly oily, and is light colored. I tried to take pictures of the area it seems to be coming from, but not sure I got it.

Is there a common failure that this symptom points to?

[john.esher]

Hmm, I used the [img] tag, but don't see the photos. Do they have to be approved?

[Chrisj CMA]

Look on top of the head, is there brown fluid around the base of the intake manifolds?  You need a hosting site to post a link to your pictures. Many use POSTIMAGES. It’s free

[..]

Hmm, I used the [img] tag, but don't see the photos. Do they have to be approved?

https://postimages.org/

Create an account using the SIGN UP box top right.

Create a new gallery by clicking on the box towards the top left

Upload photos. Do a max of up to 8 at a time or it can take too long.

Once uploaded put your cursor on the image you want to put on the VRCC forum

Now move your cursor to the symbol to left of the trash bin symbol
Click on it
Now copy the "Hotlink" for forums.

Now go to the VRCC post you want the photo to appear in and right click and paste.

Once you then post your comment the photo should appear for all to see.

[hubcapsc]

You tried to post link URLs as images. I clicked around on them and
have the images here:





-Mike

[Bagger John - #3785]

Does the valve cover gasket area feel wet?

[Chrisj CMA]

Because it’s on the low side (left) that’s where coolant ends up when the top hose at the thermostat leaks. Use a flashlight on the left forward of the carbs to see the thermostat housing. If it’s shiny it’s wet and could be the issue.

[john.esher]

Thanks all - it's a coolant leak. The radiator fluid is down below the neck by about two inches and I can see coolant on the engine on the low side by the head.

Have to install the tires and front fork seals, so I'll tackle that when the front end is wide open.

[Bagger John - #3785]

Thanks all - it's a coolant leak. The radiator fluid is down below the neck by about two inches and I can see coolant on the engine on the low side by the head.

Have to install the tires and front fork seals, so I'll tackle that when the front end is wide open.

Inspect all coolant related hoses. How has the bike been stored (in what type of climate)?

[john.esher]

Inspect all coolant related hoses. How has the bike been stored (in what type of climate)?

I have ordered the top and bottom hoses and will check all the rest. The bike was stored at my Dad's house in southeast PA in a non-climate controlled garage, but it is insulated.

To be honest, it's probably all on me...I ordered a thermostat when I pulled the carb bank figuring, it doesn't get much easier that this. Well, it came and it didn't fit - too deep, so I put the old one back with no new o-rings until the correct one came. I knew I was doing the forks and tire, so it's probably just an extra wrench beer overall.