04 Right Side Coolant Leak

11201 Views 23 Replies 9 Participants Last post by BSR-1, Feb 24, 2015

KaoticChemistry

Discussion Starter · Jul 20, 2008

All,

I've had my '04 for a bit now with no issues, but recently I've noticed that I'm leaving little pools of coolant after I ride. Curious, and hoping it wasn't anything major I tore it apart and discovered that the leak was coming out off the pipe from the top of the radiator.

It seems that when the bike gets hot, and pressure builds it'll leak right under the fitting, see attached pics..

I checked the clamp, snugged it up a bit, although that doesn't seem to be it since it's coming from the other pipe. To me it almost seems like that junction could use a clamp to avoid something like this..

So, what do you guys think? Do I need to replace some pipes, or maybe get some silicone in there or something?

Thanks in advance!

-KC

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BSR-1

· #2 · Jul 21, 2008

I'm unclear as to what you mean by junction?
is it not leaking from the hose?

BTW usually the clamps are tight enough already & are easily overtightened damaging the hose.

KaoticChemistry

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jul 22, 2008

By junction I mean where the large plastic tube comes off the radiator goes into the rubber hose, see where the fluid is coming out from under where the two come together..

I doesn't seem to be coming out from under where the clamp is so I don't think it's over tight..

Thanks!

-KC

811Racer

· #4 · Jul 22, 2008

That hose connects straight to the thermostat housing on the other side of the frame. I'd prop up the tank and make sure that hose clamp is snug.

KaoticChemistry

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jul 25, 2008

I'll check that out..

Thanks!

-KC

thejedi1

· #6 · Jul 27, 2008

please let me know what you find out, I have the EXACT same leak on my 06.

thankz in Advance

KaoticChemistry

Discussion Starter · #7 · Aug 2, 2008

Haven't had a chance to check it out until now....

Anyway, as far as I can tell there is a clamp where it connects to the therm, and it seems snug (real hard to get in there).. I guess I just don't get this hose within a hose thing, seems that the hose that's inside could be loose, but there isn't a way to tell without really ripping everything apart.

Could I have too much fluid in system to a point where it just finds a way out? Would it be safe to just seal it up with some silicon or something?

I'm stumped..

Thanks again everyone!

-KC

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JPWarrior

· #8 · Aug 2, 2008

Looks like it's leaking at the clamp and running down to the insulation hose. Check your reservoir to see if it full. That's where you check your radiator fluid level. As far as the leak is concerned, you could silicone. I'd pull the hose off to see if the plastic pipe is cracked anyway, since you've never had this issue before.

KaoticChemistry

Discussion Starter · #9 · Aug 2, 2008

Ahhhhh!

I think I found the smoking gun!

I'm running the bike on a stand and after it heats up I notice some dripping coming out from under the hose clamp on the outside on the right that connects to the tube to the radiator (when looking at the pic), this was running down into the hose within a hose which made it look like it was coming out of that side!

So It appears that maybe that clamp was just too tight and cut the hose a bit and gets aggravated when it gets hot..

Hmmmm... This doesn't look like a fun repair, any idea on how many parts I need to remove?

Dang, I wanted to ride soon!

-KC

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KaoticChemistry

Discussion Starter · #10 · Aug 2, 2008

hehehe.... Thanks JP, you read my mind!

-KC

JPWarrior

· #11 · Aug 2, 2008

KaoticChemistry said:
hehehe.... Thanks JP, you read my mind!

-KC

My first 05 did this when it was new. The clamp was too tight on mine as well.:thumbup

BSR-1

· #12 · Aug 3, 2008

BSR-1 said:
BTW usually the clamps are tight enough already & are easily overtightened damaging the hose.

glad you found it! check out this sticky:

http://www.r1-forum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=101266

aablackr1

· #13 · Aug 5, 2008

Also check that hard plastic hose, its made of some sort of plastic composite I had one leak along the seam and like you said its only when pressure builds up(somehow the plastic hose is 2 pieces made into one and they leak around the seam). Make sure that the coolant isnt going down and accumulating into the clamp. The price for that hose from the dealer is like $16.

KaoticChemistry

Discussion Starter · #14 · Aug 5, 2008

After much more investigation AABlackR1 was right on the money it in fact *IS* (For sure this time!

) the hard plastic hose!

I wiped everything down real well to make sure it was dry, fired up the bike and let it get hot with some revs. Looking up/down all around I found some fluid coming out about 1/2 way up before the kink on the inside! As you can guess gravity was doing its job which made it run down onto the hose clamp, then eventually down into the insulation hose!

Looks like there is a little crack in that bugger, hard one to troubleshoot for sure!

Well, looks like I'll be ordering some parts tomorrow, hopefully be back on the road by this weekend!

Thanks a ton everyone for helping out the n00b!

-KC

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songruishi

· #15 · Aug 25, 2008

Coolant Leak

aablackr1 said:
Also check that hard plastic hose, its made of some sort of plastic composite I had one leak along the seam and like you said its only when pressure builds up(somehow the plastic hose is 2 pieces made into one and they leak around the seam). Make sure that the coolant isnt going down and accumulating into the clamp. The price for that hose from the dealer is like $16.

I have the same leak along the seam. Do you have to empty the entire system to replace the hard plastic hose? I hope not because I just did a flush and used engine ice to refill. That wasn't cheap. Also, how do you measure how much coolant to put? On the bike I can't find the diagram shown in the service manual (pg 3-37). Thanks alot!

aablackr1

· #16 · Aug 25, 2008

You dont have to replace all of the coolant when replacing the hose. The hose sits up top so not much fluid will pour out. Top off the radiator when your done this will ensure that you have plenty of fluid, also dont forget to top off the radiator resevoir underneath your seat

ambitionist

· #17 · Feb 23, 2015

Just bringing this thread back from the dead.. after doing some searching, i believe i am having this issue. What was done to fix this elbow joint pipe? Was just a part replaced? All help is appreciated. Thank you.

BSR-1

· #18 · Feb 23, 2015

ambitionist said:
Just bringing this thread back from the dead.. after doing some searching, i believe i am having this issue. What was done to fix this elbow joint pipe? Was just a part replaced? All help is appreciated. Thank you.

Have you checked the clamp to see if it's either too loose or too tight?
I would check there first. If the clamp is loose, tighten it. If too tight you will need to determine if it's cut the hose or not.
Start there and see what you find. Always start with the easiest solution first......unless you're using the spit wad method. :1bluewinky:

Redgecko

· #19 · Feb 23, 2015

ambitionist said:
Just bringing this thread back from the dead.. after doing some searching, i believe i am having this issue. What was done to fix this elbow joint pipe? Was just a part replaced? All help is appreciated. Thank you.

Just replace.

#25 if you want new

http://www.ronayers.com/RADIATOR-HOSE--C442134.aspx

BSR-1

· #20 · Feb 23, 2015

Redgecko said:
Just replace.

#25 if you want new

http://www.ronayers.com/RADIATOR-HOSE--C442134.aspx

Well, sure, if you want to make it easy & stuff. :laughing:

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