Could it be anything BUT a waterpump

[RDKLL]

Soooo,
I noticed coolant on the neck of the by the cap and it blowing back on the valve cover and I thought maybe I did not put the radiator cap on good the last time....so this morning I popped the cap and added about 6 oz of coolant to top that radiator off and made sure I put the cap on good.

While riding to work I noticed fresh coolant and then thought back that I thought it might have been riding warmer than usual.

I get to work and think about checking the reservoir because it should be hot too, but it was only as warm as it would get from being in the close proximity to the engine.

The fan has come on when needed it seems. I thought water pumps weeped when they went bad...is that always the case and do I need a water pump?
Thanks all in advance!

[Michvalk]

OR.....The cap is leaking

[RDKLL]

What is still bothersome is that the coolant in the reservoir was not even warm, only as warm as liquid would get in a container near the motor.
I guess it would be safe to assume that the reservoir coolant gets pushed into the reservoir when its hot and pulled out as is cools off.
And as a result it should have some engine heat on it too.

[Michvalk]

Without pressure, your recovery bottle won't pull coolant, so not much hot coolant will go to the bottle. The neck on the radiator won't take much foolin' with, so run a straight edge across the top of the neck (the sealing surface). Some have bent the tabs on the cap to help it close better. I had to replace the cap on mine to get it to stop leaking. If you have ever tried to remove the cap without removing the set screw, the problem will likely be a bent neck on the radiator.

[RDKLL]

I remembered the set screw on my last one...be cheaper to try a new radiator cap

[Michvalk]

You still need to check the top of the radiator neck to make sure it is square. I would do that first, before buying anything

[Ricky-D]

There is two sealing surfaces for the cap. One for the radiator and one for the recovery system. They both need to be working properly.

Insure the hose connecting the recovery tank is not plugged up. This can cause that type of problem.

Make sure the round sealing disc in the cap is sealing properly and clear of trash. This is what keeps the pressure inside the radiator.

Insure the recovery hose that is attached to the radiator neck is in good condition and secure on the barb.

***

[Valker]

The upper hose clamp sometimes loosens up. Might check it.

[RDKLL]

On the way home I was more observant and it was coming off the cap, sort of dribbling...thanks for all the input though. Will have more time to mess with it this weekend.

[RDKLL]

So, I checked the sealing surface and it seems square. I noticed the locking tabs on the cap were not bent the same, one was positioned in a way to exert less force. And I will be looking at the hose to the res next!