Lots of fluid leaking !!

[Rounder]

Wow I Just got my 1500 (2000 with 13,000) out for the first time this year. Rode 8 miles and there is lots of what appears to be coolant pouring out from way up behind the front belt housing area on both sides....
It way up there where the belt housing meets the engine and its really coming out when its hot and running.
The radiator looks dry and the overflow tank has plenty of fluid in it (an inch above the full line) and the rad hoses are hot before and after the radiator..
What could be going on??  Help appreciated

[Bighead]

Loose hose clamp on top hose.

[Chrisj CMA]

Easy fix...one bolt at the top of the radiator and you can tip it forward enough to get in there with a flex extension

[Rounder]

Thanks for the help.
Upon further inspection it appears to be gas leaking from the rear left side above or off either the back or middle carb.
Suggestions on tracking it down?

[big poppa pump]

Stuck float valve(s). Before you decide to start the bike again, do a search on these forums and read up on Hydrolock.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Also fuel rail O-rings leaking. I've been lucky, after a couple days of having gas on them they will quit leaking. Be careful of the hydrolock as bpp says.

[Bighead]

My question is how one could mistake gas for antifreeze?

[Rounder]

My question is how one could mistake gas for antifreeze?

Trust me I was shocked too but I had just changed oil on 2 vehicles and then overfilled the lawn mower with gas and spilled it on myself and the shop floor so everything smelled like gas.  The drips had a blue tint to them and were under the radiator so I assumed.  Mainly I think I was probably loopy from the fumes.

[Rounder]

Also fuel rail O-rings leaking. I've been lucky, after a couple days of having gas on them they will quit leaking. Be careful of the hydrolock as bpp says.

Thanks for the heads up on hydrolock.
It only leaks when the bike I running so  I can rule out a stuck float correct ??
I could smell gas last summer sometimes when I was riding but could never see anything.
So if it stops leaking in a couple day are they good to go for the summer or do they need to be replaced?

[The emperor has no clothes]

Also fuel rail O-rings leaking. I've been lucky, after a couple days of having gas on them they will quit leaking. Be careful of the hydrolock as bpp says.

Thanks for the heads up on hydrolock.
It only leaks when the bike I running so  I can rule out a stuck float correct ??
I could smell gas last summer sometimes when I was riding but could never see anything.
So if it stops leaking in a couple day are they good to go for the summer or do they need to be replaced?

When it's happened to me it has been when the bike hasn't been run for a while. Luckily they have always sealed back up after having fuel on them. I wouldn't rule out a stuck float at this point but it sounds like o-rings to me . I would make sure your petcock is working properly also. 

[gordonv]

If it stops leaking, then you are good to go. They should stay swollen as long as there is fuel there.

Let it site again over the winter, and they will dry and shrink again.

Just ride it more.

[pancho]

I'd still be concerned about "The radiator looks dry" why the radiator is not topped off. Insure that the line to the overflow tank is open and top off the coolant system.

[indybobm]

If it only does it with the bike running, sounds like the petcock might be working properly. You still can have a problem with the float valves, some crud in the carb keeping the float valve from closing, or leaking fuel rail o-rings. Does need to be fixed whatever it is.

[Bighead]

My question is how one could mistake gas for antifreeze?

Trust me I was shocked too but I had just changed oil on 2 vehicles and then overfilled the lawn mower with gas and spilled it on myself and the shop floor so everything smelled like gas.  The drips had a blue tint to them and were under the radiator so I assumed.  Mainly I think I was probably loopy from the fumes.

Ah I see.

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

fuel rail o rings my did the same thing after sitting for a couple of months while work and remodelling the house kept me too busy to ride. After a few days they swelled up and leak stopped.

[Rounder]

Well mine has gradually slowed down and today I don't think they are leaking at all !!
But last fall I could smell gas when riding.
Any Ideas on what would cause that smell if I don't see any leaks?

[Brian]

Try and stay away from the corn fuel as much as possible. I will get burned here from some but when my fuel rail O-rings were leaking I ran Marvel Mystery oil and in 3 fill-ups the leak stopped. I later rebuilt the carbs using the Redeye kits. I now use the additive Liquid Performance if I have to use the ethanol gas especially when the bike may sit a while with it. Our local Honda dealer claims ethanol gas has been a big money maker for them as folks will let their ATV's and bikes sit for more than a month with corn fuel in them. Do what you want, read as much as you can on this subject as rebuilding these carbs are time consuming. I have had fuel rail leaks, float valves leaking thru (caught this before hydro locking it) and the float bowl gaskets leaking. Needless to say I now have a lot experience rebuilding these carbs now. The Clymer shop manual has paid for itself many times.

As for a coolant leak, I changed the anti-freeze filling the rad. Overflow tube was leaking when hot. Further investigation revealed that the overflow tank tube connection was not open from the factory. A small drill bit to remove the plastic took care of this issue. I did notice the rad was not full when I went to drain it, now I know why. The PO left expansion room in the rad like the older cars.

[Bighead]

Tank cap gasket.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Well mine has gradually slowed down and today I don't think they are leaking at all !!
But last fall I could smell gas when riding.
Any Ideas on what would cause that smell if I don't see any leaks?

Running rich. Have you changed the air filter lately?