coolant leak

[laserpat]

I have a small coolant leak that seems to be dripping from left side of the timing chain cover. when I look on the top side and under the radaitor I see no leaks. Any Ideas?

[Bone]

Did you check the hose clamps ? Mine started dripping a couple of years ago when the weather started getting cooler. Just a few drips that hide their source. I found one clamp that the screw turned easily for a half a turn and the drip stopped appearing.
I laid strips of newspaper on the block and under the engine trying to track the leak.

[Michvalk]

Top hose clamp from the radiator. That is where the leak showed on mine. A little hard to get to, but a long screwdriver will reach.

[Chrisj CMA]

From what you say, most likely its the top clamp that holds the maid hose to the thermostat.  I had to remove the one bolt that holds the radiator on, tip it forward and was able to get in there with a flex extension and a socket.  you can verify this leak with a flashlight from the left side of the engine just forwsrd of the carbs look up toward the thermostat, if its wet it will show with the flashlight

[laserpat]

Thanks Chris, I will persue that approach.

[ryord]

I agree, take a long screw driver to the top hose clamp and give it a twist.

[olddog1946]

Last ride I found mine leaking from the upper hose ...loose clamp..coolant runs down the hose onto the top of the motor and puddles above the left bank and then drips onto the pavement..tightened it up and viola all is good...think it might be prudent to change coolant hoses..

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

Pat mine is doing the same thing. It just started after the weather turn cooler and doesn't leak when the engine is hot. I'm gonna attack mine tomorrow. I installed a headlight modulator and new silver stars yesterday and finish an air cleaner cleaning and re-oiling today and took her a round the block for a test.

[laserpat]

Pat mine is doing the same thing. It just started after the weather turn cooler and doesn't leak when the engine is hot. I'm gonna attack mine tomorrow. I installed a headlight modulator and new silver stars yesterday and finish an air cleaner cleaning and re-oiling today and took her a round the block for a test.

Sounds like what mine is doing

[fordmano]

Having the same problem and I found my leak at that pesky top hose on the Thermostat housing.
Did as all have mentioned and rode her a couple of day to work and back then yesterday had planned to take a lunch ride with my best buddy and his wife well I let my girl idle for a bit  while I was gearing up and when I started to get on I saw the little puddle again, so I went to my favorite local dealership praying they would have hoses in stock and of course they did NOT so I wait for the order.

I knew that I should have replaced both upper and lower hoses when I had my girl all torn down last time for my Maintenance and upgrade project. DAMN!!!! Took me way too much time to pull it apart to try the tighten thing so this time I will be replacing those 12+ year old hoses and hope for another 12 years of leak free riding.

[Chrisj CMA]

Gee you guys just let it leak....I guess parking in the family room, I really cant just do that.  As soon as I spotted a drip I searched and searched until I found it, tightened the top clamp and all has been good for years.  BTW original hoses...'97 standard

[fordmano]

Gee you guys just let it leak....I guess parking in the family room, I really cant just do that.  As soon as I spotted a drip I searched and searched until I found it, tightened the top clamp and all has been good for years.  BTW original hoses...'97 standard

I guess your refering to all the other since I missed out on a ride due to the leak,,, and unlike you I am not able to get my Valkyrie through any of my doors, she lives in my back yard under a portable garage.

Oh and I like my wife and know better to even ask if I can bring the bike in, major components are just about as far as I will push.

[rbrown64]

almost same problem,but mine is on right side and looks like oil,but only when parks and running..no spot on floor,but turn chome colors...
any ideas

[Skinhead]

Try to trace it to it's source, I would suspect valve or cam cover gaskets.

[Black Dog]

I had an issue years ago, and it turned out being an 'O' ring that was part of the coolant tubes associated with the thermostat housing...  Too long to go in to with a rewrite of the original post I did, but here is a link to what I did, way back then 

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/forum/tech_archive.cgi?noframes;read=1267544

Good luck with the fix.

Black Dog

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

Pat I fix mine. I pulled radiator and tighted the lower end of the upper hose at the termistat housing. I went ahead and flushed the system made sure all clamps were tight and the leak was gone. I used a socket and a swivel and a 6 in ext. to get all the clamps good en tight.

[olddog1946]

Well, after two different episodes with anti-freeze on top of the motor , first one from the upper radiator hose clamp and then the second from the lower end of the same hose at the thermostat housing, I finally got around to putting on the new hoses......what a pain in the tush. The new hoses were noticeably smaller in diameter and a real bear to get put on..took me almost two hours and a lot of grumbling but got her done...also cleaned out the reservoir and put in new anti-freeze..and of course: WENT FOR A RIDE.....and all seem right with the world again.