Leaked Coolant

[DK]

We have just finished a 10 day or so day period of 10 to 20 degree weather in Little Rock - cold enough to freeze the swimming pool over two or three inches - a bit unusual for our part of the country. My '2000 Valk was parked in my unheated garage during this period.

Last summer, although my coolant looked fresh having been flushed and refilled with Honda coolant two years prior, I partially drained the system without flushing and refilled again with Honda coolant adding about 1 1/2 quarts just to freshen the additive pack.

It warmed up a couple of days ago and after installing a new windshield I took it for a < one mile ride just to check the shield height. It didn't run long enough to warm up - maybe ten minutes.  Yesterday, before going for a ride I noticed maybe a 1/4 pint puddle of coolant had leaked seemingly first hitting the floor below the radiator on the filler cap side.

After checking everything carefully even thourghly warming it up and looking for water vapor in the exhaust, everything looked normal. I then let it sit long enough to cool down and again, no leak. Following checking it out, I went for a 30 mile ride & afterward checked everything. Again, no problem. Inspected it again this morning & was all dry again. After the ride, the radiator overflow tank levels were ok. Also, haven't had to add any coolant either now or since the refill last summer.

I'm 99% positive no freezing occurred, but why would this leak occur during this cold snap? Does antifreeze expand when chilled? If so, why not expand into the overflow reservoir?

Although the radiator cap looks ok, I'm going to replace it before going on this morning's ride & go ahead & tighten the hose clamps since I havnt been able to get it to leak again.

I'm puzzled.

Any ideas anyone? Something isn't right or this wouldn't have happened.

[Bighead]

Tighten the top radiator hose clamp and all will be good. It is a PIA to get to sometimes but a dollar to a doughnut that is where the leak is.

[32coupe]

I had a similar leak but puddle was under the left front of engine. Only did it twice in 4 months. Bike was in my garage, and cold weather was not a factor.  I checked the level which appeared ok. I live in Weatherford and it has been cold out here, but no leaks.   My bike has 88K on the meter. Ft Worth Honda West said I have to replace "seals". Not sure what that means--but estimated cost was over $600.
 I plan to replace the Honda factory lower hose and clamps just to be on the safe side.
AD

[Black Dog]

Has happened to me a few times, under the same conditions you have...  Probably things (hoses) shrunk up a bit in the cold, but once you got everything back to running temp, the expansion sealed everything back up.

Look in top of the engine, behind the radiator, near the thermostat housing to see if there is any coolant puddled there.  That could indicate a need to replace the 'O' Rings for the coolant tubes, in to and out of, the housing...  Replaced mine a few years back, after a constant coolant smell led me to find the spot where she was leaking.

Black Dog

[sandy]

All good suggestions. Check the hose clamps at the T stat. Can be tough to get at. Another possibility: There's two hard tubing pressed into the block at the front of the engine. Behind them is an O ring. In very cold weather, the ring shrinks and you get a small drip until it warms up. Mine leaked once in 147K miles and I've never replaced them.

[Windrider]

I am having the same problem.  It is unresolved yet.  Had some vision issues and rode very little last 3 yrs.  Bike sat a lot, but was started every week or ten days and kept garaged and on the trickle charger.

In the winter of '12-'13 I noticed a silver dollar sized puddle of coolant on the floor at the left front that appeared to come from the front cover gasket area. Historically, I had broken the upper right (as you face the front of the bike) of center cover bolt when I changed the trigger wheel years ago. I thought that might be the source of the leak. On closer inspection some dripped from the left engine guard too.  Radiator level okay, overflow level was okay. I could not tell where it was coming from. This seepage occurred during subzero temps -7 degree F range. My garage is usually about 20 degrees warmer than outside. Even if coolant became slushy I do not think that freezing had occurred.

By spring the seepage had stopped with warmer temps.  I started riding some.  The bike ran flawlessly as always.  Coolant levels remained normal.  There was no sign of water in the oil and no white exhaust.  No more seepage.  In October 2014, I took it in for a thorough going over, change fluids, tuneup, carb sync and cooling system check.  They tuned it found steering head bearings notched and replaced those.  Needed synch port caps too.  Intakes had been seeping more gas then in the past. The spark plugs looked good and were not replaced.  Intakes were broke loose and retorqued, clamps tightened.  Cooling sys clamps were tightened.

The cooling system was pressure tested to 17 psi for 30 minutes with no leaks found.  Bike again ran flawlessly with no loss of fluids noted in operation or while parked.

October I crashed with lots of damage to the bike.  I went down at approx. 50 mph but was only very slightly injured.  That's another story.  Had repairs done to make her road worthy again.  Need few more cosmetic repairs that I'm buying now.

November 2014 saw bitter cold and the seepage returned as before.  I could now see a small amout of coolant pooled on the engine top by looking between carbs 2 and 4 toward the front of the engine.  I'm disappointed because I had just had in to the dealer with this problem in mind and it was not fixed.  I think I understand from other posts that there are coolant tubes/pipes across the top of the engine that may need seals replaced as you have noted.  I'm afraid that expensive repair is what I need for mine.  But I'm uncertain.   I really do not have a good place to work or the skills to tackle this, if it is the problem.  I'll need o-rings on the intakes, but I can handle that. Anyone have experience with these tube/pipe seals?  I would very much appreciate your thoughts.  Thanks guys.  Looks like my issue was addressed while I was typing, sorry if redundant.  Going to post anyway.  Will be glad to read comments of all regarding this!

[Windrider]

Thanks again guys.  You did address by question while I was typings.

Since this seems to be a cold weather deal -- If all else can be ruled out and it is the tube seals  -- Would I be correct in thinking you could postpone correcting this for, say, even quite a while?  Sounds as if some have.  Guess its just a judgement call on how sharp you want your bike.  You thoughts please?

[slider]

get a anti freeze smell on mine once in a great while....was suggested to tighten top hose clamps which I did and it seems to have cured the problem..never saw  a drip or a spot of  anti-freeze  just the smell of it....could be you have the same loose hose clamps...worth a try...

[Chrisj CMA]

I had a similar leak but puddle was under the left front of engine. Only did it twice in 4 months. Bike was in my garage, and cold weather was not a factor.  I checked the level which appeared ok. I live in Weatherford and it has been cold out here, but no leaks.   My bike has 88K on the meter. Ft Worth Honda West said I have to replace "seals". Not sure what that means--but estimated cost was over $600.
 I plan to replace the Honda factory lower hose and clamps just to be on the safe side.
AD

You don't need a  new hose.  Most likely your leak is from a loose clamp at the thermostat housing.  Just tip the radiator forward and reach in and snug that puppy up and go ride.

[Trike Man]

I live in NW Arkansas and had the same thing happen to my 01 Valk about the same time you had your issue but it was at the thermostat housing. When it warmed up, no more leak. I'm pretty sure that it was due to the cold. I double checked the torque on the housing bolts just to be safe. The coolant does expand and contract with heat and cold - that's why there's an overflow bottle on all liquid cooled engines that catches the coolant when it does expand.

[DK]

Thanks to everyone for the great suggestions.

I haven't carried out any of the fixes yet, wanting to give Valk another chance to fault. No luck - after 500 + miles and a couple of 75 degree days in Arkansas, healing seems to have occurred and I will tighten easily accessible places today.

I realize coolant heats & expands when heated but after reading all the posts on this problem, I don't think it is a factor. Perhaps the coolant thins out as it becomes colder. This would be consiistent  with the problems we are having.

In fact, during the dark ages back when everyone drained antifreeze and flushed the system each spring and then added antifreeze in the fall, leaks commonly occurred because the solution was thinner than pure water.

BTW, if we were to experience a more severe problem of this nature, what about using one of the stop leak potions commonly displayed alongside the known snake oil?

When I was growing up on the farm, we used a product that was made entirely of powdered alumnum. It worked really well but may no longer be on the market as it was great for making Thermite. My recollection is that the other stuff was more of a flocculent that made a nasty mess, so bad that it would be sinful to use in in a Valk.

Why no mention of the water pump?

[DK]

Re:  last post

I meant " what about using  stop leak compound in an emergency situation away from home"?

[longrider]

DPK

After reading your initial post you stated there was a 1/4 pint sized puddle on the floor.  If your overflow tank is still at the cold/ normal mark then I believe you best remove the rad cap and inspect the level as the overflow should have dropped. Top up if needed while cold.     I live in the cold.  Every spring I take a bit of time and snug up the hose clamps. I have had the t-stat hose clamp leak during the winter.
Warren

[R J]

Re:  last post

I meant " what about using  stop leak compound in an emergency situation away from home"?

Do not use stop leak in an aluminum radiator.    Don't remember why the guy said not to, but he was a radiator rep.



I carry a small PEPPER shaker with me.    Pepper will not dissolve and makes for a damn good temporary fix.

MGM got a leak in one of the cores in California on a trip.     I was looking for the source of the hole and an old timer, walked up and said what's wrong sonny?   Told him,  he reached into his grocery sack and pulled out a cardboard pepper shaker.    He said pull your radiatr cap and start the engine.    He poured some of the pepper in and waited a few minutes and put some more in.    Leak stopped.  I thanked him, offered him some $$$$ and he told me to go buy a beer after I'm parked for the night.   Told him thanks and started to put stuff back in the saddle bags.    He said, here take the pepper shaker just in case you need it before ya get home.    Took the shaker, put it in the saddle  bag.  When we converted MGM to a Trike, that shake was still in there.

If memory serves me correctly, I run that pepper for 2 years.

[Tfrank59]

I had a similar leak but puddle was under the left front of engine. Only did it twice in 4 months. Bike was in my garage, and cold weather was not a factor.  I checked the level which appeared ok. I live in Weatherford and it has been cold out here, but no leaks.   My bike has 88K on the meter. Ft Worth Honda West said I have to replace "seals". Not sure what that means--but estimated cost was over $600.
 I plan to replace the Honda factory lower hose and clamps just to be on the safe side.
AD

You don't need a  new hose.  Most likely your leak is from a loose clamp at the thermostat housing.  Just tip the radiator forward and reach in and snug that puppy up and go ride.

I was able to reach in there (with radiator in place) with a 6mm wiggly socket (1/4" drive) and a long 12" extension and tighten the upper hose clamp in place.  the person who set the clamp oriented it such that it was just accessible that way. 

[twdurdentwd]

ATTENTION

I've had this issue twice and here were my fixes/problems.

1. Fluid overfull in reservoir.
2. Air bubbles - run with cap open for 5 minutes or so

[Ricky-D]

I have use "stop leak" in my Valkyrie with no ill affects.

Probably about 10 tears ago there was a small leak

in my radiator and I purchased a stop leak for aluminum

radiators. I used about a tablespoon worth and it

stopped the leak.  The leak returned after a few years

when I changed the anti-freeze. Another tablespoon

from the same bottle stopped the leak again. I still

have the bottle and it is over half remaining. If

the leak reoccurs I'll add another tablespoon of the stuff.

When you look at replacing the radiator I found that the

new one's are prohibitively expensive and the used

radiators are not guaranteed to not leak. Most from

Pinwall show damage of some kind.  If I ever have to replace

the radiator I may just get a local place to build me one

using the parts off this one on the bike.

***

[Tfrank59]

I have use "stop leak" in my Valkyrie with no ill affects.

Probably about 10 tears ago there was a small leak

in my radiator and I purchased a stop leak for aluminum

radiators. I used about a tablespoon worth and it

stopped the leak.  The leak returned after a few years

when I changed the anti-freeze. Another tablespoon

from the same bottle stopped the leak again. I still

have the bottle and it is over half remaining. If

the leak reoccurs I'll add another tablespoon of the stuff.

When you look at replacing the radiator I found that the

new one's are prohibitively expensive and the used

radiators are not guaranteed to not leak. Most from

Pinwall show damage of some kind.  If I ever have to replace

the radiator I may just get a local place to build me one

using the parts off this one on the bike.

***

I guess that's one option, provided the leak is actually a radiator leak and not what has been discussed in this thread – just hose clamps that need tightening or whatever.  And the other thing about stop leak is you are wise to only use one spoonful of it because not only does it stop leaks it also stops (or seriously impedes) flow.

[DK]

Another cold snap, another puddle.

Go figure.

[lljjmm]

I have always stored my bike in a heated garage, this last week  took it out and put it outside in the cold however in a cargo trailer as I needed the space.

The temperature was above freezing for a couple of days, then it got cold -  found a small puddle of anti-freeze under the forward left side of engine. Temp warmed up - no more leak, got cold again another small leak.
This the first time in 14 years the bike has been in the freezing cold and first time had a anti-freeze leak.