Leaking coolant

Chuffmonkey · May 29th, 2012, 09:02 AM

For a few weeks now there has been white water residue on the right side fairings, which I assumed were just from riding through water somewhere. Well, this weekend I took a quick ride around the block after tightening the chain and, when I parked back on my drive, I noticed the bike was dripping coolant.

As I start to look, the right side of the engine is covered in dried coolant - which is also what the water marks are on the outside of the fairings. There is a small pool in the bottom of the fairings.

The level in the expansion tank is slightly low (maybe 1/4" - 1/2" from full) - I sprayed down the engine to clear it all off and took another ride around the block. Nothing new appears to be leaking after the 2nd ride but of course I'm now concerned.

Any ideas?

cuong-nutz · May 29th, 2012, 09:49 AM

Perhaps the cap on the reservoir was not tight or you could have a leaky hose.

DaBlue1 · May 29th, 2012, 10:21 AM

Over time hose will shrink a tiny bit due to heat and become a little loose. The best thing to do is tighten down all the clamps, clean off the areas that are stained and watch for any more leaks, especially under really hot temps. Elevated temps equal longer periods of pressure and heat. If tightening the clamps do not help, replace the hose, recheck and top off the coolant levels as necessary.

Chuffmonkey · May 30th, 2012, 09:34 AM

The cap definitely wasn't loose as it took a lot of effort to take it off. It could be shrunk hoses. Another question though: the bike is less than a year old. Could this be covered under the warranty?

alex.s · May 30th, 2012, 01:28 PM

if its under warranty i would think that should be covered

Trainsk8 · May 30th, 2012, 11:47 PM

This same thing happened to me! I was quite worried until i found that the cheap "clamp" on the hose that connects to the resevoir wasnt providing enough pressure and coolant would find its way out. Just buy the smallest size hose clamp at any hardware store, pop the hose clamp on, and tighten it down well and you should have no problem.

May 29th, 2012, 09:02 AM	#1
Chuffmonkey ninjette.org member Name: Alex Location: Salt Lake City Join Date: Aug 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Triumph Street Triple R, 2011 250R SE (sold 5/8/13) Posts: 128	Leaking coolant For a few weeks now there has been white water residue on the right side fairings, which I assumed were just from riding through water somewhere. Well, this weekend I took a quick ride around the block after tightening the chain and, when I parked back on my drive, I noticed the bike was dripping coolant. As I start to look, the right side of the engine is covered in dried coolant - which is also what the water marks are on the outside of the fairings. There is a small pool in the bottom of the fairings. The level in the expansion tank is slightly low (maybe 1/4" - 1/2" from full) - I sprayed down the engine to clear it all off and took another ride around the block. Nothing new appears to be leaking after the 2nd ride but of course I'm now concerned. Any ideas?

May 29th, 2012, 09:49 AM	#2
cuong-nutz RIP Alex Name: Cuong Location: Houston, TX Join Date: Apr 2011 Motorcycle(s): '10 250r, '09 265r Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 2	Perhaps the cap on the reservoir was not tight or you could have a leaky hose. __________________________________________________ HalfFast Racing Team Serving Greater Houston Area Riders:WFO Riders MotoHouston HPC CMRA Ride Smart Fastline Lone Star Track Days

May 30th, 2012, 01:28 PM	#5
alex.s wat Name: wat Location: tustin/long beach Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): wat Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 5 MOTM - Oct '12, Feb '14	if its under warranty i would think that should be covered __________________________________________________

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May 29th, 2012, 10:21 AM	#3
DaBlue1 Long Time Rider Name: Blue Location: Charlotte, NC Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.	Over time hose will shrink a tiny bit due to heat and become a little loose. The best thing to do is tighten down all the clamps, clean off the areas that are stained and watch for any more leaks, especially under really hot temps. Elevated temps equal longer periods of pressure and heat. If tightening the clamps do not help, replace the hose, recheck and top off the coolant levels as necessary.

May 30th, 2012, 09:34 AM	#4
Chuffmonkey ninjette.org member Name: Alex Location: Salt Lake City Join Date: Aug 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Triumph Street Triple R, 2011 250R SE (sold 5/8/13) Posts: 128	The cap definitely wasn't loose as it took a lot of effort to take it off. It could be shrunk hoses. Another question though: the bike is less than a year old. Could this be covered under the warranty?

May 30th, 2012, 11:47 PM	#6
Trainsk8 ninjette.org member Name: Brady Location: Marysville, OH Join Date: Aug 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: 28	This same thing happened to me! I was quite worried until i found that the cheap "clamp" on the hose that connects to the resevoir wasnt providing enough pressure and coolant would find its way out. Just buy the smallest size hose clamp at any hardware store, pop the hose clamp on, and tighten it down well and you should have no problem.