water pump and cooling system question

[KG]

Noticed a drip of coolant figured it may have been a loose hose clamp but found the drain plug with a drop of coolant on it.

Figured the previous owner may not have replaced the seal during past maint.

Removed the radiator cap and looked in the radiator and found it half full of coolant. checked the reserve tank and it was at the upper line.

went ahead and drained the coolant and replaced the drain pug seal.

filled with new coolant to upper line on reserve tank and bottom of radiator cap and followed the steps in manual to burp out the air.

went for a short ride and found the coolant is slowly dripping from the weep hole in the water pump. got a new pump on order.


How full should the radiator be filled? should it not be an inch or so from the top?  why do the instructions say to only check coolant level in the reserve tank and not to pull the radiator cap? also  temps are in the 60's  but I have never heard or felt the fan come on what engine temp should the fan come  on?

[BigBad1]

Yes, the radiator should be full. I would think with temps in the 60's with normal ridding the fan would not be needed (even with the water level a little low). Mine only comes on in hot weather when I come to a stop after hard interstate riding and when do a lot of stop and slow riding.

[sandy]

Before you pull the pump, drain the oil. .... Honda says to add coolant in the reserve tank only when the engine is hot. Yes you can add coolant in the radiator when it is cool.

[Chrisj CMA]

I would say the most common coolant leak on a Valkyrie is the top hose (to the thermostat housing)

When this hose leaks its not uncommon that the coolant winds its way down to the place you described.

Shine a flashlight onto the thermostat housing from the left side of the bike.  If its wet you will see that with the flashlight.

[KG]

first thing I checked was the hoses.

it's dry above the waterpump and saw the drip come out right where the pump meets the engine.