Leaking fluid... should I taste?

headshrink · November 10th, 2013, 03:29 PM

Yes, my question is literally as crazy as it sounds.

I took my tank off last night to pull my carbs to futz with my float heights, but discovered some fluid along the left side of the the engine along the valve cover gasket. Upon visual inspection the valve cover and gasket appear to be seated properly. There isn't enough fluid yet that it's all over, so I think I caught it fairly early. The fluid is dirty, so the color doesn't really tell me much, but it does not smell like fuel. It's also not enough to be obvious. I think it's either oil or coolant. The leak appears to start around where the water-pipe goes down into the the block. It seems like this location really could be spot either oil or coolant might leak, but I'm guessing it's more likely coolant. I tried to smell for sweet, but again it's a small enough sample that I'm not possitive.

So.... should I try tasting it? I know coolant is poisonous if you drink it, but a small lick???? I read some sciency thing once about how doctors saved someone who drank coolant by forcing vodka into their system. Apparently the etoh. chemically reverses some badness by converting the death in the coolant to something else. That was my understanding, but I don't think a lick and spit would be bad..... I know Dr.s used to do urine tests by tasting it themselves... years ago of course.

I can't believe I'm actually asking this, but should I try it or commit myself for being a danger to myself?

Joshorilla · November 10th, 2013, 03:41 PM

I've tasted fluids too see if it's coolant, it's quite toxic, but if you get some on your finger, give it a suck and if it's sweet it's coolant.

Don't forget to spit, you're not a whore.

Racer x · November 10th, 2013, 03:48 PM

Don't taste it. Its probably coolant. The hose going into the head has a tendency to leak. Has the valve cover been off?

Coolant taste sweet. And it is poison. If it is just a trace and not enough to drip. Leave it.

headshrink · November 10th, 2013, 04:52 PM

OK, I won't taste it... thanks for saving my life.

Teh_K · November 10th, 2013, 05:01 PM

I would not taste it - if you can get some on your finger, I would imagine oil would be more slippery, oily than coolant.

Has the valve cover ever been off? I know you said it looks sealed, but it's possible it might not be if it was removed and not put back on correctly.

I would wipe it all up, and just keep an eye on it. If it comes up again soon, the coolant should be a watery green, and if it comes up again soon as dark, it's probably oil.

JohnnyBravo · November 10th, 2013, 05:15 PM

headshrink · November 10th, 2013, 05:21 PM

Yes, it's been off several times. I've done a handful of valve adjustments, but the last one was long enough ago that I would have seen leakage earlier if that was the problem. I just removed the cover and inspected everything. It appears there is a little brown-milky fluid around the pipe, which I'm assuming right now is coolant.

I pulled the pipe and inspected it. (Did the same on my spare [original] motor that lives on a stand in the corner, for reference.) There isn't anything obvious, but the gasket is probably worn, thus the cause of the leak.

I was dreading leaving my bike in pieces over the next week and hitching rides while I wait for a $.77 + $5-10 shipping part, until I remembered something....... A few years ago I purchased in advanced all the parts the manual calls for for one of the major services. This one included all the gaskets for the water lines. I never installed them because I didn't think something that wasn't broke needed fixing. I dug through my parts and sure enough, I've got two spares! Not only that but I cataloged it in a way that is idiot-proof so I'd know what it was later.

Feelin' awesome right now!

JohnnyBravo · November 10th, 2013, 05:50 PM

Sweeeeeeeeet

pdxdavid · November 10th, 2013, 05:57 PM

Wow. You are smart. Every time I put something away where I can find it. I don't find it again until I don't need it again. Good stuff.

choneofakind · November 10th, 2013, 07:13 PM

I demand a poll!! The answer's always yes. YOLO!

Lychee · November 11th, 2013, 10:46 AM

Just for reference, I think it is also the same as the small o-ring you get with the fram/aftermarket oil filters.

headshrink · November 11th, 2013, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lychee

Just for reference, I think it is also the same as the small o-ring you get with the fram/aftermarket oil filters.

Thanks for stating that. I had the same thought, but got distracted before I could verify. I've got a TON of those things lying around then.

EDIT: I just cross-referenced the part numbers, and can confirm these are indeed the same.

November 10th, 2013, 03:29 PM	#1
headshrink ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Bob Location: CA Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 Ninja 250r, '14 CBR500r Posts: A lot.	Leaking fluid... should I taste? Yes, my question is literally as crazy as it sounds. I took my tank off last night to pull my carbs to futz with my float heights, but discovered some fluid along the left side of the the engine along the valve cover gasket. Upon visual inspection the valve cover and gasket appear to be seated properly. There isn't enough fluid yet that it's all over, so I think I caught it fairly early. The fluid is dirty, so the color doesn't really tell me much, but it does not smell like fuel. It's also not enough to be obvious. I think it's either oil or coolant. The leak appears to start around where the water-pipe goes down into the the block. It seems like this location really could be spot either oil or coolant might leak, but I'm guessing it's more likely coolant. I tried to smell for sweet, but again it's a small enough sample that I'm not possitive. So.... should I try tasting it? I know coolant is poisonous if you drink it, but a small lick???? I read some sciency thing once about how doctors saved someone who drank coolant by forcing vodka into their system. Apparently the etoh. chemically reverses some badness by converting the death in the coolant to something else. That was my understanding, but I don't think a lick and spit would be bad..... I know Dr.s used to do urine tests by tasting it themselves... years ago of course. I can't believe I'm actually asking this, but should I try it or commit myself for being a danger to myself? __________________________________________________ Honda Interceptor VFR800 DLX (2014, 8th gen) Honda CBR500r (2014) - FOR SALE Kawi Ninja 250r (2008) - Restored and passed-down within family, only to be abandoned

November 10th, 2013, 03:48 PM	#3
Racer x ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Eric Location: Iowa City Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Kawmeracchi 350 2010 Project X Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 54 MOTM - Sep '18, Feb '16	Don't taste it. Its probably coolant. The hose going into the head has a tendency to leak. Has the valve cover been off? Coolant taste sweet. And it is poison. If it is just a trace and not enough to drip. Leave it. __________________________________________________ Top speed 123.369mph. Ohio mile Worlds fastest 250 ninja

November 10th, 2013, 04:52 PM	#4
headshrink ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Bob Location: CA Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 Ninja 250r, '14 CBR500r Posts: A lot.	OK, I won't taste it... thanks for saving my life. __________________________________________________ Honda Interceptor VFR800 DLX (2014, 8th gen) Honda CBR500r (2014) - FOR SALE Kawi Ninja 250r (2008) - Restored and passed-down within family, only to be abandoned

November 10th, 2013, 05:15 PM	#6
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	__________________________________________________

November 10th, 2013, 05:21 PM	#7
headshrink ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Bob Location: CA Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 Ninja 250r, '14 CBR500r Posts: A lot.	Yes, it's been off several times. I've done a handful of valve adjustments, but the last one was long enough ago that I would have seen leakage earlier if that was the problem. I just removed the cover and inspected everything. It appears there is a little brown-milky fluid around the pipe, which I'm assuming right now is coolant. I pulled the pipe and inspected it. (Did the same on my spare [original] motor that lives on a stand in the corner, for reference.) There isn't anything obvious, but the gasket is probably worn, thus the cause of the leak. I was dreading leaving my bike in pieces over the next week and hitching rides while I wait for a $.77 + $5-10 shipping part, until I remembered something....... A few years ago I purchased in advanced all the parts the manual calls for for one of the major services. This one included all the gaskets for the water lines. I never installed them because I didn't think something that wasn't broke needed fixing. I dug through my parts and sure enough, I've got two spares! Not only that but I cataloged it in a way that is idiot-proof so I'd know what it was later. Feelin' awesome right now! __________________________________________________ Honda Interceptor VFR800 DLX (2014, 8th gen) Honda CBR500r (2014) - FOR SALE Kawi Ninja 250r (2008) - Restored and passed-down within family, only to be abandoned
	1 out of 1 members found this post helpful.

November 10th, 2013, 03:41 PM	#2
Joshorilla Bass Master General Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 24	I've tasted fluids too see if it's coolant, it's quite toxic, but if you get some on your finger, give it a suck and if it's sweet it's coolant. Don't forget to spit, you're not a whore.

November 10th, 2013, 05:01 PM	#5
Teh_K ninjette.org member Name: Kevin Location: Raleigh, NC Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Kawasaki Ninja 250R, 2008 Suzuki GSX-R600, 2006 Suzuki GSX-R600 Posts: 31	I would not taste it - if you can get some on your finger, I would imagine oil would be more slippery, oily than coolant. Has the valve cover ever been off? I know you said it looks sealed, but it's possible it might not be if it was removed and not put back on correctly. I would wipe it all up, and just keep an eye on it. If it comes up again soon, the coolant should be a watery green, and if it comes up again soon as dark, it's probably oil.

November 10th, 2013, 05:50 PM	#8
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	Sweeeeeeeeet __________________________________________________

November 10th, 2013, 05:57 PM	#9
pdxdavid ninjette.org member Name: David Location: Portland, OR Join Date: Sep 2013 Motorcycle(s): 09 Ninja 250 Posts: 13	Wow. You are smart. Every time I put something away where I can find it. I don't find it again until I don't need it again. Good stuff.

November 10th, 2013, 07:13 PM	#10
choneofakind ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: . Location: . Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: Too much. MOTM - Feb '13, Feb '14	I demand a poll!! The answer's always yes. YOLO!
	2 out of 2 members found this post helpful.

November 11th, 2013, 10:46 AM	#11
Lychee sail away Name: Jon Location: San Jose Join Date: Jul 2012 Motorcycle(s): gixxer (sold), ninjette (upgrade!) Posts: 964 Blog Entries: 8	Just for reference, I think it is also the same as the small o-ring you get with the fram/aftermarket oil filters. __________________________________________________ Unregistered found this post helpful. Track Day Preparation Checklist 1. Financial 2. Mental 3. Physical 4. Gear / Bike

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