Coolant Leak - Advice

[DarkSideR]

Last Saturday the temp got up to a blazing 59 degrees so I decided to take the Valk out for a ride. After sitting for 3 weeks in the garage, I started the bike to warm it up. Got my jacket, gloves, and helmet. Upon coming back to the bike I found a small puddle of coolant under the the left corner of the belt cover (when the bike is on the kickstand the drips came from the lowest point).

I looked above that point around the hose connections and didn't see anything obvious. So I wiped the coolant drips from the cover and went to get a flash light to further investigate. 2 minutes later with the bike still running no more drips to be found.

I checked the coolant level, and rode 60 miles keeping an eye on the dummy light. I got back home and checked the coolant level again to find it the same as before the ride, so it hadn't leaked anymore. The bike is an 2001 with only 36k on it.

My thoughts are the leak came from inside the compartment where the belts are. The very cold conditions caused the leak  .

Can you please give me your thoughts or similar experiences. Being winter I would like to do any necessary work now than during the riding season. Thanks.

[Jess from VA]

My thoughts are the leak came from inside the compartment where the belts are. The very cold conditions caused the leak

Coolant is not routed to the timing belt compartment.  Almost certainly, coolant came from a radiator hose clamp, and ran down with gravity to the lowest part of the bike on the left kickstand side.  This would be mostly internal and hard to find evidence from looking while on hands and knees. As soon as she heats up, the cooling system expands with heat and the leak stops.

This is pretty common, and you could probably get a half dozen small occurrences over a cold winter months, and yet never be able to detect an overall loss from your coolant reservoir.

I would not worry if it does not continue, or go after the radiator hose clamp.

There is not a well-documented history of our radiator hoses going south, yet.... but as the years continue to roll by, there probably will be.

[Joe Hummer]

Hey Josh,

Dude...that bites.  You had best just bring the bike to me in St. Louis.  Be sure to bring the title too...I will need that when I strip it down for parts...the frame would be worth more then.  

Seriously...chances are...it was the hose connection at the block.  Those are known to leak from time to time.  Nothing to get too concerned about...if you can get into the clamp, tighten it a little.  If it is the spring type, replace with a screw type.  

Joe

[DarkSideR]

Joe,

I thought about scrapping it because of this..

But I guess I will check a hose clamp or two before I hand her over.

[Old Geezer Richard]

  Hey Josh , I had the same drip of coolant from the left side of the engine after I would come home from a ride ... I also checked the coolant level and it was fine .... I got my friendly nut driver and tightened down the hose clamps and the drip has stopped .... Check your hose clamps ... Thanks the Geezer  

[DarkSideR]

 Hey Josh , I had the same drip of coolant from the left side of the engine after I would come home from a ride ... I also checked the coolant level and it was fine .... I got my friendly nut driver and tightened down the hose clamps and the drip has stopped .... Check your hose clamps ... Thanks the Geezer  

And that's what I was looking for.  Commence operation tightening hose clamps. 

[DarkSideR]

I found the leak. The culprit is the hose clamp that is top, center of the engine right behind the radiator. Looks like I will have to pull the radiator to get at it.

[Jess from VA]

Believe it can be loosened from a single top bolt and swung forward enough to get a tool in without having to pull it.

[DarkSideR]

Believe it can be loosened from a single top bolt and swung forward enough to get a tool in without having to pull it.

Jess, I am greatly hoping you are right.

[olddog1946]

Believe it can be loosened from a single top bolt and swung forward enough to get a tool in without having to pull it.

Jess, I am greatly hoping you are right.

He is indeed, correct. No need to remove the radiator. I loosened mine,  then loosened the clamp and turned it so I can get to it from the side without having to mess with the radiator, using a long handled nut driver or socket/extension.

[O-B-1]

Hey Rick, how are you and... Was it Gary? The Navy guy, doing? Holding up well in this cold? I have the darn crud that is going around, severe sinus and chest congestion. Feeling much better, now.

My bike is doing this just sitting in the 19 degree weather under the carport. I saw it was running down from the fitting where the hose enters the block.

Looks like I need to check the clamp up top, also.

We should get together with my friend Jim and have a Valkyrie luncheon sometime... Maybe when I am well and it warms up! LOL!

[Karen]

Josh, they are correct, even I was able to tighten the inside hose clamp with minor grimacing & cursing.

[DarkSideR]

I did it. The radiator pivots forward with minimal effort. I turned the hose clamp around so it can be tightened from the side without having to work around the radiator.

Now I just have to figure our how to get my bike to Tulsa so Attic Rat can work his magic on my motor.