ST1300 Coolant leak

[Brian]

Hi all,
While there is no evidence on my garage floor I do believe I have a leak of some fluid on my Shiney ST.
Feeling under the fairing pins under the belly pan (if that makes sense) you get a little (not enough for a droplet) moisture on your fingers.
I'm thinking  it more Coolant then oil.
In leu of me taking the tupperware off has anyone else experience this?
I havent had the bike out for a couple of weeks

[ST2UP]

Here you go.....I would bet my left one on it, except they are both in Pockey's handbag 

http://ozstoc.com/index.php?topic=6874.msg78176#msg78176


 

[Brian]

Thanks Chris, I'm hoping its jus residule water from the laST wash. I'm off to the weST Sunday night so it'll have to go on the back burner till I get back, then I'll STrip down the fairing and check for snail trails

[Biggles]

Thanks Chris, I'm hoping its jus residule water from the laST wash. I'm off to the weST Sunday night so it'll have to go on the back burner till I get back, then I'll STrip down the fairing and check for snail trails

It would be water.  It never gets a chance to dry completely between washes.     

[Brock]

One should not be feeling around under the skirts for dampness, one should be riding.

 

[Brian]

JuST checked again only there is now a wet area the size of 5c on the garage floor plus the fluid has a consistency between oil and water, slightly greasy 

[Brian]

Nope THAT looks green 

[StinkyPete]

Overflow from an overfill of the reservoir perhaps?

[Brian]

I haven't 'filled' anything on the bike since I've brought it home last October (fuel , air in tyres excl.) so I'd guess not

[Brian]

Further  I might take the opportunity to put it in for a full service and get the problem sorted at the same time.

[Brock]

Check coolant level in the engine. the coolant vent hose may have a small crack, preventing return from collection tank, and causing a small amount to be vented when the engine is hot.

Must check mine again, its been a few years since I last did it.

[ST2UP]

Further  I might take the opportunity to put it in for a full service and get the problem sorted at the same time.

I would be suprised if your dealer no matter how good they were just nipped up the offending Honda hose clamps and didn't replace them and you will be here again in the near future .....this is the issue in the first place as to put a screw driver onto these clamps at service time is a task in itself, so it just doesn't happen in all reality.

The Honda hose clamps just aren't as effective as new wider stainless steel clamps.....once this has been done properly and the hoses replaced I haven't heard of this issue again. Change all the cooling system clamps and coolant at this time.....you can position the new clamps so you can access them without doing any more than exposing the throttle bodies for future check ups 


Cheers

[Brian]

I've booked it into http://risingsunmotorcycles.com.au/ for service and fix the drip next week ......dropping it in this Saturday and pick up the following Saturday after my week in Perth.
I've met the owner Stewart through the Redlands Ulysses branch and I've been told he's very thorough.
Cheers Brian

[Sabie]

Could you have polished a hole right through the casing???  Just sayin

[Brian]

Could you have polished a hole right through the casing???  Just sayin

 

[Shiney]

Could you have polished a hole right through the casing???  Just sayin

 

[Brian]

I went to pick up my Shiney ST only to find it's going to be in the shop for a little longer.
They (Rising Sun M/C Capalaba) have located my coolant leak which turns out to be coming from the impeller overflow. This is a common fault and from further enquiries I found it reported on this forum from Shiney, Assasin, Gav to name a few. On reading their reports (See Assasins report in the 'How to' section) it's not a job I'd have taken on and so leaving it to the guys that live n breathe this sort of thing on a daily basis.
While coSTly I'm happy Stewart and his guys were able to find the problem rather then it remain an annoying mySTery drip.
Seals,bearing and new impeller to be replaced and all going to plan I'll pick it up next Saturday.
Cheers Brian

[ST2UP]

So just to be clear Brian in my head 

You have an 2009 model so you will have an over flow hose from the water pump as apposed to the round weep hole that pre 08' had 

So was the coolant coming from this hose OR from the rectangular casting hole at the base of the water pump ??

If its from the hose its the pump.....if its from the casting hole the coolant is coming from the valley and the hoses mentioned above.


Many bike shops have misdiagnosed this and replaced the pump & seal......only to have the bike bought back in a few weeks OR they noticed the continuing leak after start up and run for 30 mins and follow it back to the hoses and tighten the clamps and not mention this to the owner who just bought themselves a shiney new water pump 


Just say'in 

[Brian]

Nope not a round hole like the older models but similar location

[Shiney]

Great to hear that you have had the leak located
Hopefully it won't be too expensive and will be completed soon so you can get back to showing off the cleanest ST around

[Sabie]

So it's not from over polishing, is that what your saying?

Could you have polished a hole right through the casing???  Just sayin

 

[gaz]

So it's not from over polishing, is that what your saying?

Could you have polished a hole right through the casing???  Just sayin

 

 

[Brian]

 
I miss seeing my Shiney ST in the garage.......its been two weeks

[Biggles]

Well at least you can give it a proper clean- all those wires and cables will be better off for a thorough polish.

[Sabie]

I think your polishing and cleaning has gone to an extreme level Brian .... Once you could see yourself in the tank and now .... Ya can't see it at all.......