coolant leak

[msb]

Just noticed this coolant leak returning home from a ride out for dinner this evening...slow drip from waterpump seal. Checking a couple of previous threads, I re-checked and confirmed that the leak is definitely from the seal area and not running down from above.
Has anyone just replaced the seal to solve this issue...is this a somewhat common occurrence? Approx. 150,000 km (90,000 mi) on my '99 IS....had the waterpump changed out about 6 years ago when  bearing was making a racket....no issues since. Thx.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Are you sure it's not the drain bolt ? I've had that leak before. (Your poor Molson can needs replacing) 

[gordonv]

I had the same on my GL1100, but more coolant. Replaced the o-ring, and all was well.

I'm would expect with a 6 yr old pump that there is no other problem.

If the weather is dry next weekend, I'll be driving up to Kelowna after the VRCC-BC meet in Langley, to work on my exhaust with Steve. Will stay the night at my sisters, and there is room for others. Already mentioned it to Paul.

[saddlesore]

Just replaced the gasket last year (1999 with 154000)   The gasket was flat enough to cause the leak.
  There's an inner gasket also but if you go after that one you have to drain the oil too.

[Dusty]

The seals are not replaceable. Is that green coolant that is leaking out. The coolant needs to be silicate free. Silicate anti freeze will eat up the seal. Ask me how I know. As some one else mentioned drain the oil before pulling the water pump.

Dusty

[Chrisj CMA]

That is a good point.  What coolant are you using?  Wow, you must have some horrible dirty roads up there or maybe it's just the camera making it look much worse but I would clean that area up before cracking the seal on that housing 

[Hook#3287]

That is a good point.  What coolant are you using?  Wow, you must have some horrible dirty roads up there or maybe it's just the camera making it look much worse but I would clean that area up before cracking the seal on that housing 

I actually thought of you cringing in your chair when this picture popped up on your computer

While I understand keeping their bike showroom clean is not important to some, I agree it should be cleaned once in awhile and definitely before doing interior motor work.

Looks like a new water pump is in order.

[Chrisj CMA]

That is a good point.  What coolant are you using?  Wow, you must have some horrible dirty roads up there or maybe it's just the camera making it look much worse but I would clean that area up before cracking the seal on that housing 

I actually thought of you cringing in your chair when this picture popped up on your computer

While I understand keeping their bike showroom clean is not important to some, I agree it should be cleaned once in awhile and definitely before doing interior motor work.

Looks like a new water pump is in order.

Ya Hook, you guessed it right, I did cringe a little

[msb]

  You can rest easy ChrisjCMA... while she may not have a home in my den, she has been kept in pretty decent condition over the 15 years I've owned her.


I've put over 11,000 miles on her since the beginning of June so haven't had time to get underneath to do any detailing (which I really only do once or twice a year)...and yes, two of my longer rides have seen plenty of roadwork/re-paving. Taking your advice....underside will be cleaned prior to removing WP.

Yes Meathead, my "Canadiana" oil filter cover is due for replacement... a good time to empty another can today, while cleaning up the underside 

So, there seems to be two different trains of thought: #1 - gasket can be replaced (if that's the source of the leak); #2 - water pump needs replacing. Coolant was flushed and replaced the same time I had both tires replaced prior to my ride to WV in June, at a shop I've used on occasion ... will follow up on the coolant used - my bad....assumed they would know. Thank you all for your responses ... will double check to make sure on the source of leak once she's all clean, then go from there.

[Hook#3287]

She sure is pretty.

It could be the gasket, thinking you won't know till you take it off.

If it's leaking from the weep hole, my guess would be new pump.

[tx blue]

Glad this silicate free antifreeze came up just finished flushing my system and replaced it with prestone 50/50 not sure if this was the right stuff see no where on the bottle about it being silicate free. Says it contains ethylene glycol / diethylene glycol / water and proprietary  inhibitors.
Phil

[Hook#3287]

Glad this silicate free antifreeze came up just finished flushing my system and replaced it with prestone 50/50 not sure if this was the right stuff see no where on the bottle about it being silicate free. Says it contains ethylene glycol / diethylene glycol / water and proprietary  inhibitors.
Phil

Back in 2002 I replaced the OEM coolant with Prestone.

No where on the container was the word silicate.

After I replaced my pump, I wrote Prestone a letter asking why their coolant 86'd my pump.

The response I got was impolite, not accepting responsibility and the representative told me silicate was in the less than 2% additives, at the bottom of the ingredients list or some such crap.

I stay away from anything "Prestone".

I use the Walmart brand made for all cars and coolant types.  Been using it for years in several bikes w/o issue.

[Chrisj CMA]

I used to use Prestone 50/50 because it said it was silicate free.  I too cannot find anything about silicate free on their newest packaging, or on line.  It probably is but I wanted to be sure.  So, I went with PEAK

Phosphate and Silicate free
http://www.peakauto.com/products/antifreeze-coolants/automotive/long-life-50-50/

[Firefighter]

I use the coolant Honda sells. No questions, worries, or writing the company required, of coarse instead of 12.00 I pay about 25.00 every 24,000 miles.

[Chrisj CMA]

I use the coolant Honda sells. No questions, worries, or writing the company required, of coarse instead of 12.00 I pay about 25.00 every 24,000 miles.

firefighter, they say this long life stuff PEAK and Prestone goes 150,000 miles or 5 years.  I change every 3-4 years or so, that's around 50,000 miles.  Been doing it that way from 2002 and Im still on the original water pump and no issues whatsoever.  The other advantage is it has no smell.  You spill one drop of that Honda brand and its stinks for a week.

[Firefighter]

Chrisj, I,m not knocking your choice, sure its first class.  But if your not sure about what to use, don't know what your doing and don't wont to cause yourself trouble then using factory products is good.

I haven't had any issues either.   Firefighter

[msb]

Cleaned up a bit to get a better look...leak is not from drain bolt or from housing gasket as I thought, but coming from here (Yellow arrow) only when engine is hot...spits out a bit when the fan kicks on/off.


....so I assume a replacement pump is in order?

[pancho]

I can't say definitely what needs to be replaced from the evidence, but I can say that the silica can certainly precipitate out of solution in green antifreeze  and circulate as an abrasive in the cooling system.

[Chrisj CMA]

Hey msb, I think I would drain the coolant you have now onto a clear container, if it turns out to contain silicate I would have a discussion with whomever put it in there.

At worst they blow you off, at best they pay for the repair.

Not much to loose

[sixlow]

There is a weep hole just out of sight that is leaking just like this one did..Drain the oil before removing

[msb]

Hey msb, I think I would drain the coolant you have now onto a clear container, if it turns out to contain silicate I would have a discussion with whomever put it in there.

At worst they blow you off, at best they pay for the repair.

Not much to loose

On my agenda for tomorrow, thx 

There is a weep hole just out of sight that is leaking just like this one did..Drain the oil before removing

Thx

[gordonv]

Cleaned up a bit to get a better look...leak is not from drain bolt or from housing gasket as I thought, but coming from here (Yellow arrow) only when engine is hot...spits out a bit when the fan kicks on/off.


....so I assume a replacement pump is in order?

Mike, I haven't been under my bike like your picture shows, but I thought it should be leaking from the weep hole. That looks to me like it's away from the hole, and up hill.

Could it be coming from the top of the motor and flowing to the bottom?

You mentioned when the fan comes on, more comes out. I can't think of a reason why?

[tx blue]

So me being a new Valkyrie owner I went to the tech page and copied off the list of items that are related to our Valkyries from the sheet it lists coolant options and on that list it has coolants that are exceptable and it has prestone 50/50, havoline,also say's prestone all brands. So what can we really use.
Phil

[Beardo]

Like firefighter said above, I use the Honda stuff.  Sure it costs a bit more but is $20 more every year or 2 going to make anyone broke? 

[Chrisj CMA]

So me being a new Valkyrie owner I went to the tech page and copied off the list of items that are related to our Valkyries from the sheet it lists coolant options and on that list it has coolants that are exceptable and it has prestone 50/50, havoline,also say's prestone all brands. So what can we really use.
Phil

You can use any coolant that is silicate free.  I believe the Prestone 50/50 is silicate free but it didn't say so on their website or on the bottle anymore.  So I went with PEAK because they specifically say they are phosphate and silicate free.

The advantage for me is the car stuff that is long life is good for 5 years or 150,000 miles.  Also it has no smell if you spill a couple drops on the radiator like the Honda stuff does.

Then there's the cost.  Like 1/4 the price of the Honda stuff once you factor in the extended interval.  Oh, how did I get turned on to the car stuff?  I was at the Honda dealership with 4 qts of coolant in my arms, the mechanic I trusted at that shop told me to put it back and go get the car stuff as long as it's silicate free.

There ya go

[Dusty]

Gordon

There is a weep hole right where that drop of fluid is. You can't see the hole because the drop of fluid is hiding it   

Dusty

[Ramie]

O'Reilly's sells a universal Anti-Freeze that is silicate and phosphate free.

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/AFZ6/87221/N0496.oap?ck=Search_N0496_-1_-1&pt=N0496&ppt=C0059

[Ricky-D]

Myself, I'd try a little bit (tablespoon) of some stop leak first. You may find that's all is needed to fix the leak. Not being a purist, I've done the same years ago with very satisfactory results.

***

[MarkT]

I've gone to Evans waterless coolant on all my bikes.  Eliminates cooling maintenance forever.  Prevents internal corrosion.  Cools more effectively w/o pressurizing the system as it's boiling point is very high - around 400° IIRC.  Yeah it's expensive - $40 a gallon and the prep fluid almost as much.  Worth it to me.
Obviously this is a soln after you find the leak.  BTW the stuff stinks so if you have a leak you smell it right away.  See Jay Leno's video on it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7PykrgzWPQ