little puddle under the bike

[Hendo]

I changed the coolant last week in preperation for the big trip to ballarat ( should take me about 90 mins). Well would you believe it, went to the garage this morning and discovered a drop about the size of a 10c piece of brand new coolant on the floor. After investigating seems to be leaking from under the carbs. I have read the manual on how to remove the carb assy however the 4 screws on the tubes from carb to heads look difficult to get to.
Does anyone have any tips to help removal/installation?

Thanks in advance,
Hendo

[ST2UP]

Before surgery is it possible you have had some some overflow from your fill up track back around and drip from under the carbs and you don't actually have a leak ?? Just sayin 

[Brock]

Before surgery, wipe up the spill, take the bike for a ride so that it warms up and any lying residue dries up.  Park the bike and check next day. If there is no more spilled coolant, forget about it and ride.

If puddle reappears, then check the fittings on the hoses for tightness, especially any that you disturbed in the draining process. As always, check easy stuff first, less chance of creating more problems.

[StinkyPete]

On the way to the Caldermeade RTE, SulkyBear had what he thought may have been a coolant leak.   It was an overflow from a slightly overfilled coolant bottle.

[STeveo]

If you do have to tighten the clamps under the carbs, take out the fuel tank (four bolts and three wires) and you can get your hand under the carbs to the clamps.

[Hendo]

Great idea steveo...thanks.

After further inspection it appears to be leaking around the gasket that goes between the manifold and the block. No. 9 in attached diagram. I am hoping i can remove the bolts, clean the surfaces and install the new gasket without removing the carbs.

Any advice is always appreciated.

Cheers,

Hendo

[Brock]

If you get in there and clean it up, a little non acidic silicon (available from auto stores) wiped on both sides of the gasket then tighten up carefully, shouldnt leak again.

[saaz]

That's an unusual spot to leak. When I did my hoses and elbows I did not even bother replacing the gasket there. My puddle came from a cracked elbow (number

[Hendo]

Heres a quick update.

Well I was correct in assuming it was the O ring in the housing. It quite clearly was leaking from there when I removed the Carb Assy ( Pic1). I was pretty sure as I used my inspection camera to have a good look first. Removed the housing to discover a flat hard O Ring. (2nd pic).

It may be an idea in the future if you have the carbs off to replace/repair the coolant hoses to check this one as well.

I have read a bit about reinstalling the carb assy and using new Carb insulators ( boots) to make it easier. The ones I have are still pliable and new ones will set me back about $60 plus from the STealer. Do I really need them?

Also, If I can by food 24/7 in melbourne why not Honda Parts....

[Brock]

Well done.

If you can still get the carby trumpets on then go for it.

[Hendo]

You would think the parts would be easy to get...   still waiting to hear back from Honda Dealer , may have to back order. One way or another I will get the bike to Ballarat.

[Brock]

You may get them cheaper and faster from David Silver spares in the UK

[saaz]

If the rubbers are still pliable, just put some grease on them to help reinstall the carbs.  Makes all the difference.

[Old Steve]

If the rubbers are still pliable, just put some grease on them to help reinstall the carbs.  Makes all the difference.

I presume you mean a silicone grease and not a petroleum based grease.  Petroleum based grease softens/swells/disolves rubber.

That's why tire grease is a castor oil based product, and you don't use petrolatum jelly on condoms (KY Jelly is water based).

[Brock]

Better yet, rubber grease..

[saaz]

I use PBR rubber grease on all rubber bits (such as the grommets into which the pins go on the ST1100 bodywork)  Comes in a black tube, used for brake seals.

[Hendo]

I am Never changing the coolant ever again.

Finally got the bike going Thursday night, and rode to work friday morning, when i stopped i could smell a bit of warm coolant, and thought that it may have been from a little that i spilt and missed cleaning up. Rode home Friday night thought the same riding home.

Went for a smallish ride today(50kms) and could smell coolant everytime i stopped, temp was fine all the time, just noticed it creeped up a little faster than prevoiously when stopped at lights.

Pulled the bike apart this evening after everything had cooled, and noticed it had lost approx 50 ml.There appeared to be a little stain around the thermostat housing, started it up and disoverd it was seeping a  tiny little bit from the housing.

Off to Honda Monday for more parts and more waiting.  or maybe a car parts store tommorrow.

[Biggles]

I am Never changing the coolant ever again.

Another fine example of "If it ain't broke, don't fix it".

Although I made an exception for an oil and filter change today.  Did a clean and re-oil of the K&N.
Had a look at the brakes and decided I'll be claiming my 10% discount when Metal Gear opens on Monday.
The tyres look like they'll get me home from Ballarat but not much beyond that.