Minor Leak: Lower radiator hose

Alkeplar · October 3rd, 2013, 10:10 PM

So I a few days ago I noticed the slight smell of coolant while riding in some hot weather. I couldn't pinpoint it, until tonight. Turns out I have a very minor leak in the lower radiator hose at both sides of the hose (Class 1 leak by military standards). I know these little motors get hot, as did the 250's, but is this something I need to worry my head over? I'm thinking I should just keep my eye on it. I ride in AZ so it gets hot and not unusual for cars to have similar issues, but this bike is my baby and I would rather caution on the side of error. So again, I ask: is this something I should try to resolve, or is this something that is bound to happen in hotter weather and just keep my eye on it?

JohnnyBravo · October 3rd, 2013, 11:24 PM

I would keep my eye on it, an keep a check on the coolant, but when ya have your fairings off see if you can tighten the clamps an get it to stop. It's not class 2 so you know most mechanics would blow you off unless they were anal.

Maybe that's where my coolant smell is coming from, wasn't to strong, and didn't see no drips... Thanks I gota check mine out

Alkeplar · October 4th, 2013, 08:31 AM

Well I have a daily commute of about 20+ miles one direction, mostly freeway if I take the shortest route. I decided to take the city route making it a little longer, when I parked the bike I left it running for a moment and checked the hose, and the clamp connection on the radiator was a little more moist. I am going to take the time to tighten the hose clamps when I get home tonight, If the issues continue I might consider replacing the hose. The bike has about 800 miles until the 6000 mile marker and I was planning on doing a coolant flush anyway.

Johny, did you have the chance to check your bike?

csmith12 · October 4th, 2013, 08:38 AM

Welcome Aaron!

Absolutely nothing wrong with putting in the work to maintain your bike. After all, it is "your baby" right? Where most people go wrong is fixing stuff that is not truly broken. Can you ride it... sure, if you keep the coolant filled. But, all it does is make a cheap/easy fix more expensive by putting it off. And for what? 30 mins of your time?

Motofool · October 4th, 2013, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alkeplar

So I a few days ago I noticed the slight smell of coolant while riding in some hot weather. I couldn't pinpoint it, until tonight. Turns out I have a very minor leak in the lower radiator hose at both sides of the hose (Class 1 leak by military standards). I know these little motors get hot, as did the 250's, but is this something I need to worry my head over? I'm thinking I should just keep my eye on it. I ride in AZ so it gets hot and not unusual for cars to have similar issues, but this bike is my baby and I would rather caution on the side of error. So again, I ask: is this something I should try to resolve, or is this something that is bound to happen in hotter weather and just keep my eye on it?

Welcome to our site, Aaron !!!

That is not normal and is important to correct.
Try to pin point the origin of the leak, because if it comes from a cracked hose, that will need immediate replacement.
A catastrophic failure of that hose will burn your leg very badly.

If the problem is the clamp, then it will be an easy fix (tightening or replacing the clamp).

Alkeplar · October 4th, 2013, 08:49 AM

Thank you guys for the welcome! I forgot to post an introduction in the new members section, and will do so sometime today.

Again thank you, for the feedback as well. I hope I'm not just a leach here, but instead can offer some usable insight to some users, but at the very least some comical back and forths with some of you folks

JohnnyBravo · October 4th, 2013, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alkeplar

Johny, did you have the chance to check your bike?

Yup... Tightened a clamp and about to start in on the chain where my rear was cocked slightly to the side, hopefully that will fix my growl and the chain an sprockets tryin to eat each other

After that its a test ride to ensure function

Alkeplar · October 8th, 2013, 08:55 AM

Tightened it up and took it for a very hard run up and down the mountain here with a few buddies. No more smell, no more leak

I guess that is what living on a dirt road does for you.

Motofool · October 8th, 2013, 02:41 PM

JohnnyBravo · October 8th, 2013, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alkeplar

Tightened it up and took it for a very hard run up and down the mountain here with a few buddies. No more smell, no more leak

I guess that is what living on a dirt road does for you.

I tightened mine, an got my chain fixed, no more smell, no more funky sound

I hope they use Japanese clamps, I have all sorts of problems with the Chinese ones :/ durn things love to back up an come loose all the time

NinjaCowgirl · October 8th, 2013, 07:03 PM

Hi Aaron - welcome. Glad you fixed this. I had a similar problem with my 2012 that I didn't know I had until I went to get my new brake/clutch levers put on. Asked my mechanic to do a good once through on my bike since I had just hit 6K in about 18 months. He pulled off my farings to find coolant droplets all over. (not enough to actually leak out on the ground) but, it turns out the hose was indeed cracked and clamps had been overtightened. Mechanic said he'd never seen a problem like this on a new Ninja. We're good now, but it was a weird problem for a brand new bike. Maybe somebody had a bad day in the Kawasaki factory and took it out on my bike. Anyway - glad you're all better now. Enjoy your rides.

csmith12 · October 8th, 2013, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alkeplar

I guess that is what living on a dirt road does for you.

The dirt road is fine

It's the vibration on flexible materials is the problem.

October 3rd, 2013, 11:24 PM	#2
JohnnyBravo Certifiable nontundrum Name: Harper Location: NC Milkshake stand Join Date: Mar 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2013 SE NINJA 300 Posts: Too much. MOTM - Sep '13, Sep '16	I would keep my eye on it, an keep a check on the coolant, but when ya have your fairings off see if you can tighten the clamps an get it to stop. It's not class 2 so you know most mechanics would blow you off unless they were anal. Maybe that's where my coolant smell is coming from, wasn't to strong, and didn't see no drips... Thanks I gota check mine out __________________________________________________

October 4th, 2013, 08:38 AM	#4
csmith12 The Corner Whisperer Name: Chris (aka Reactor) Location: Northern KY Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250 (track), 1992 250, 2006 R6 (street/track), 2008 R6 (track) Posts: Too much. MOTY 2015, MOTM - Nov '12, Nov '13	Welcome Aaron! Absolutely nothing wrong with putting in the work to maintain your bike. After all, it is "your baby" right? Where most people go wrong is fixing stuff that is not truly broken. Can you ride it... sure, if you keep the coolant filled. But, all it does is make a cheap/easy fix more expensive by putting it off. And for what? 30 mins of your time? __________________________________________________ Goal: Shake A Million Hands \| Look through the corners \| Track Day Prep \| Closest track? \| The Mid-Ohio School
	1 out of 1 members found this post helpful.

October 8th, 2013, 02:41 PM	#9
Motofool Daily Ninjette rider Name: Hernan Location: Florida Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Ninja 250 Posts: A lot. MOTY - 2016, MOTM - Dec '12, Jan '14, Jan '15, May '16	__________________________________________________ *Motofool* *.................................Never ride faster than your guardian angel can fly* "Mankind is composed of two sorts of men — those who love and create, and those who hate and destroy. Love is the bond between men, the way to teach and the center of the world." - José Martí

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October 4th, 2013, 08:31 AM	#3
Alkeplar ninjette.org member Name: Aaron Location: Tucson, AZ Join Date: Aug 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2013 Ninja 300ex SE(non-ABS) Posts: 15	Well I have a daily commute of about 20+ miles one direction, mostly freeway if I take the shortest route. I decided to take the city route making it a little longer, when I parked the bike I left it running for a moment and checked the hose, and the clamp connection on the radiator was a little more moist. I am going to take the time to tighten the hose clamps when I get home tonight, If the issues continue I might consider replacing the hose. The bike has about 800 miles until the 6000 mile marker and I was planning on doing a coolant flush anyway. Johny, did you have the chance to check your bike?

October 4th, 2013, 08:49 AM	#6
Alkeplar ninjette.org member Name: Aaron Location: Tucson, AZ Join Date: Aug 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2013 Ninja 300ex SE(non-ABS) Posts: 15	Thank you guys for the welcome! I forgot to post an introduction in the new members section, and will do so sometime today. Again thank you, for the feedback as well. I hope I'm not just a leach here, but instead can offer some usable insight to some users, but at the very least some comical back and forths with some of you folks

October 8th, 2013, 08:55 AM	#8
Alkeplar ninjette.org member Name: Aaron Location: Tucson, AZ Join Date: Aug 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2013 Ninja 300ex SE(non-ABS) Posts: 15	Tightened it up and took it for a very hard run up and down the mountain here with a few buddies. No more smell, no more leak I guess that is what living on a dirt road does for you.

October 8th, 2013, 07:03 PM	#11
NinjaCowgirl ninjette.org member Name: Liz Location: Idaho Join Date: Oct 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Ninja 250 Posts: 35	Hi Aaron - welcome. Glad you fixed this. I had a similar problem with my 2012 that I didn't know I had until I went to get my new brake/clutch levers put on. Asked my mechanic to do a good once through on my bike since I had just hit 6K in about 18 months. He pulled off my farings to find coolant droplets all over. (not enough to actually leak out on the ground) but, it turns out the hose was indeed cracked and clamps had been overtightened. Mechanic said he'd never seen a problem like this on a new Ninja. We're good now, but it was a weird problem for a brand new bike. Maybe somebody had a bad day in the Kawasaki factory and took it out on my bike. Anyway - glad you're all better now. Enjoy your rides.