Coolant Leak on ST1100

[ruSTyEB]

Ok so I discovered a coolant leak......  It's not a gushing leak, just enough to present itself, photos below.

I have taken all the plastics off and inspected hoses and clamps, no leak there so it seems to be the radiator itself. 

I hadn't lost a lot of coolant, only needed to add about 100mm.  In fact it isn't enough to pool onto the ground either.  The 100mm I've lost would have been over the last 12 months I think.

So how long do you think I have before I need to replace the radiator?  Or would a "stop leak" solution be enough?  look forward to your expertise.

PHOTOS:

http://s1158.photobucket.com/user/rustyeb/library/radiator

http://s1158.photobucket.com/user/rustyeb/slideshow/radiator

[Brock]

Do not use stop leak, it blocks water galleries all through the engine, causing more problems than it fixes

[Bikebear]

I wouldn't be bothered replacing the radiator, any competent radiator shop will be able to repair the problem. I found a dodgy repair on my radiator that had been done before I got it so I got a local business to fix it, they did a really good job and it didn't cost too much to get done.

If it was mine I'd be getting it repaired fairly soon before it get's worse.

[Turtle]

I have used Sureseal it has good results look up on Internet and its at most leading auto shops maybe try before removing everything
I used it on a leaking heater core under dash in my old 4wd and no more drips 5 mins late and was still not leaking 30,000kms later :) it copper based fills the hole and the engine and water temp fuse it

Turtle

[hobs]

It is a SIGN!! Get it fixed properly. It could be the first of many waiting to pop when on that barren desolate road. Think of the grief it could cause. These 'signs' are there to tell us that intervention is needed. We are brain washed into thinking that the problem solving, labour saving, guaranteed fixes that we buy off the shelf will somehow magically fix our problem for good, it won't. It is only a temporary fix and creator of a false sense of security. The problem is only solved permanently by the proper fix. How much more secure will you feel knowing that the radiator has been fixed and tested properly. The bike I receintly restored had so many temporary fixes and patches that it was a major project to return it to trusting reliability.

The effort now could save a lot of grief later.

Hobs

[saaz]

Radiator places should be able to fix aluminium radiators theses days.  You might find it is one of the hidden away hoses causing the problem, with the coolant leaking down to there from somewhere else. The radiators are tough, as I know of one which was bent back an inch or so after a roo strike, and it still works a few years and many kms after.

[ruSTyEB]

Thanks everyone, I'll have to wait a few weeks before I get the time, but I'll take the radiator to a repairer and see what they say.

I'll report back when finished.   

[ruSTyEB]

Well removed radiator today, and dropped it off for repair.  The leak had sprung from a "bodgy" repair from a previous owner.  Not too hard to remove, just a bit fiddly on the final stages swinging the radiator forward to clear the bottom locating lug.

Will let you when all back together.

[Flip]

Hi All,
after a bit of advise about the radiator of my '96 .Ex- W.A, Police ST1100P. 

The radiator has a leak on the rear side directly in front of the fan. 
After finally getting everything apart today, from the amount of crud in the bottom of fan housing, it looks like the whole core is up for replacement. 
Phoned around a few Honda shops here in Perth this afternoon,  the usual story when buying OEM Honda
 - - -  GASP ! HORROR !  HEART ATTACK ! - - -  $1390 !     
Also phoned a couple of local radiator repair shops, the usual reply was - " a radiator for a what ??? " 

And, of course, none available in Perth. Nothing unusual about that. 
Due to medical reasons looks like I won't be able to ride or drive for the next few months anyway but it doesn't do the engine or electrics any good at all just sitting, un-run for weeks at a time. I've been starting it up a few times a week, that's how I found the leak - after about 10 minutes of running, steam started coming up by the steering head last week.

Does anyone know, 1st hand, of a radiator repair shop in Perth metro area, (preferably south of the river) that firstly can do a PROPER, GOOD QUALITY, re-core the St1100 radiator ? Secondly, and also a bit importantly, won't charge an arm and a leg to do the job ?

Thanks in advance,
Flip



 

[Pezzz]

Have you tried Maddington radiators? Used then for cars a few years back.

Sent from somewhere using something on my phone :-)

[alans1100]

Priced this at http://www.discounthondaparts.com/default.asp

RADIATOR 19010-MAJ-G20  $US434.55 plus 65.99 postage which puts it less than half local price

[saaz]

Here is another mob who ship internationally. I have not used them myself.  $386.27 plus $80.95 shipping.

http://www.internationalmotoparts.com/oemparts/c/honda_motorcycle/parts?gclid=CNvL5YX757kCFYpcpQodxVoAjg

[Bikebear]

My project '95 ST1100PS has a damaged radiator that has been repaired with epoxy, hopefully it can be fixed. The bike only cost $475 dollars, I don't want to have to spend that much again on a radiator! 

[Flip]

    Thanks to all for your answers.   

I'll be checking Maddington Radiators out sometime next week - but not too sure if the do bike (alloy) radiators.
Remember using them twice before to repair the radiators in two of my Falcon S/W's - that was a while ago, since then I got rid of the kids, they grew up, the EX-wife got too greedy so she had to go -  and brought myself another motorbike, Honda CBR600F4 - then my current ST1100P 
New wife loves her own little Honda, Lite Blade 150, but says I'm getting too old for riding a bike.   
But she isn't really insisting on a car. (just yet)   

If there's not too much price difference, I'll probably end up grabbing a new one from one, genuine Honda item from one of those O/S companies mentioned.

Thanks again 

Flip.




 
silent now - but soon - ZAROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM ! Again hopefully 

[Flip]

As that tall streak of pelican p**p, politician old Malcolm Fraser was supposed to have said once - " Life wasn't meant to be easy".
Wonder if he ever had to work on a Honda ST1100P ???   

As per my previous post - radiator is shot - leaking directly in front of the cooling fan. 
Took the 'plastic' and other assorted bits and pieces off and was finally able to get the radiator itself out.
Didn't realize how wide it was until it was out. 

Took it to the local radiator shop - 'Maddington Radiators', the guy who actually does the work was there by himself.
Gave it to him and asked if it could be repaired and if so, how much ? Told him it was from my ST1100P.
Answer was - " No - sorry. It's an alloy radiator, can't fix it for you. Nothing can be done with them when they start to leak."   
Went into the office where he looked through his books - no luck at all.
Nothing except the original Honda radiator from Honda will fit - At AU$1390 from the friendly Honda shops. 

Now waiting for a new radiator, (US$386.27) thermostat switch assembly, (US$35.41) and it's O-Ring, (US$1.57)

Total of US$423.25 - currently about AUS$445.60 - plus US$49.29 (AUS$51.90) for USPS International Air Express delivery. 

So, a fraction under AUS$500.00 against AUS$1390 (not including the cost of a thermostat switch assembly & O-Ring) if purchased here !

NOTHING QUITE LIKE GETTING RIPPED OFF BY AUSTRALIAN IMPORTERS AND DEALERS IS THERE ??? 

Just waiting for conformation and the usual tracking information from 'International Moto Parts' Florida. US of A. 

Many thanks to 'PEZZZ', 'alans1100' and 'saas' for the leads on where to look.        

Ian W. (aka Flip)
Maddington.
Western Australia.




 
VROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMMM !  ONE DAY AGAIN SOON !!!  ( I HOPE ! )

[Biggles]

You have to wonder what the Oz Honda dealers have to pay wholesale for parts like this.  If it's the same as the Florida supplier (who is located much further from the Honda factory in Japan than us) then you would think the Oz supplier could get an even better margin just by adding the $52 freight to his retail price.
I don't deny dealers a fair markup- they have significant overheads, and Oz labour is much dearer than US wages.  But that difference is ludicrous.  We'd pay a bit extra to support local businesses, but not three times the price.

[Flip]

Hi all, 
ST1100 RADIATORS ! Just for anyone thinking of doing the same thing, as in my previous postings, been trying to get a new radiator for the '96 ST1100P.
Put my purchase order in on-line to the USA.   
A lot CHEAPER and probably about the same time waiting for one to come across ex-eastern states of Oz.   
IF they have one in stock even, locally at AUS$1390 - they can kiss my

'Biggles' hit that one right on the head as far as I'm concerned !     AUS$1390 against US$386.27 (AUS$407.17) How can Honda Australia justify that ???

To make life even more interesting, received an email back from 'International Moto Parts' in the US last night. They said there is only one ST1100 radiator left in Honda US warehouses !
They've sent in an order for it but if it's already gone then it's a case of putting it on 'back order' then waiting, and waiting, and waiting, ....       

What a life !!!  Was thinking of taking the ST back to Viet Nam with me. 
Only one little problem with that idea. Need to prove it's for your job (opps ! I'm retired - no job) and can only bring in one NEW vehicle. (if you're lucky)
THEN there's the matter of an import tax of 200 % !

Know one expat who lives and works in Ha Noi - last year he brought in a brand new H-D of all things. (of course he's a Yank isn't he ?)
That little trick cost him US$45,000 ! I kid you NOT !
Anyway, riding something the size of an ST around the streets of Sai Gon anytime would be 1000 times worse than trying to drive a road train through the middle of Perth at peak hour. 

Old Malcolm Frazer was right when he said "Life wasn't meant to be easy." 

Take care on the roads out there all of you 

Ian W. (aka Flip)

OzSTOC # 5709
Ulysses # 40064


 

ONE DAY - SOMETIME SOON (I hope) - VROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM !

[Bikebear]

Pacific Radiators in Cairns fixed the leak in my radiator no problems can't remember what it cost but it wasn't more than $100.
I remember they also fixed an alloy radiator from a VT250C for me quite a few years ago.

[ruSTyEB]

Only cost me $50, it was a resin fix, may need doing every 12-24 months, but cheaper than a new radiator.  I got it done here in Toowoomba.

[Flip]

Hi All again, 

ordered and paid for a new ST1100 radiator, thermostat switch assembly, upper and lower seals, both of those top 'nuts' and a lock washer for the steering head on 31st Oct. on-line at 11:47 PM (W.A. time) from 'International Moto Parts' Florida. 

Cost of those parts - US $476.84   
Had everything sent by USPS Priority Mail Express International.  Cost - US $70.80

Total cost in Oz dollars - $584.80   

That's that's slightly AUS$200 less than the price I was quoted just for the radiator alone by Honda dealers in Oz.   

Package delivered to my front door today, Monday 11th November, at 9.00am   

An email from 'International Moto Parts' said I got the very last ST1100 radiator in stock at Honda USA.
Anyone wanting a new radiator for an ST1100 in the US now will be waiting on back orders to arrive from Japan.   

NOW - the fun begins ! Workshop manual, socket set, spanners, screwdrivers, etc.