Coolant loss

Discussion in 'Technical Help' started by Red Thunder, Nov 27, 2016.

  1. Red Thunder

    Red Thunder Crème de la Crème

    Dec 2, 2014
    2,034
    1,000
    High Wycombe
    Speed Triple 2010
    Checking my bike for the week ahead as she was running hot on the way home from work on Friday.
    The coolant was very low, in fact I reckon I put in over a litre. (remains from a bottle plus most of a new one)
    When I checked it two weeks ago, the overflow/expansion tank was fine.

    If I have lost that much so quickly, would it have been a one off thing such as overflowing from the pipe while driving and I didn't notice!
    The oil appears fine from what I can tell on the stick, no sticky mess or odd smell and at the level I would expect.

    No smoke from the exhaust other than until the exhaust warms up
    No loss of power

    What should I be looking out for, other than the coolant level!
    One thing I understand it could be is it may be leaking into the exhaust port from a blown gasket, so maybe a pressure test is in order.

    Any further advice?
     
  2. t552

    t552 Senior Member

    Nov 17, 2014
    417
    113
    Bristol UK
    I would try a new rad cap 1st. these can give problems but are cheap to replace.
     
  3. thebiglad

    thebiglad Old fart, still riding !

    Sep 25, 2013
    5,066
    1,000
    Central France
    Ditto with T552 - always go for the easy/cheap fix first.
     
    • Like Like x 1
  4. Red Thunder

    Red Thunder Crème de la Crème

    Dec 2, 2014
    2,034
    1,000
    High Wycombe
    Hi guys,
    Cap was new earlier this year, but doesn't mean it could be faulty now.
    Just keeping an eye on it and if it happens again or level consistently drops then more investigation will be needed.
     
  5. Red Thunder

    Red Thunder Crème de la Crème

    Dec 2, 2014
    2,034
    1,000
    High Wycombe
    Got to work this morning and my right boot was wet, the other one was dry.
    So got home this evening and took the right side guard off the radiator, took my tools to the bleed screw and the exit hose in the top right corner and it took a couple of twists, so maybe that was it.

    The expansion tank was empty again so I filled it up and will check the radiator itself tomorrow afternoon.

    Hopefully that cures it, otherwise it may be a new radiator :/

    Evilbay and Chinese come to mind, but I have heard they are made of cheese! - 'Delboys Garage' has used them before with success.
     
  6. Jody

    Jody Active Member

    Oct 9, 2016
    143
    43
    Nuneaton
    I have heard stories of Triumphs with loose coolant hoses before.....
     
  7. Red Thunder

    Red Thunder Crème de la Crème

    Dec 2, 2014
    2,034
    1,000
    High Wycombe
    These are Samco hoses I put in the Spring this year,. Seems the jubilee clip thingy had just worked loose.
     
  8. Jody

    Jody Active Member

    Oct 9, 2016
    143
    43
    Nuneaton
    Oh right....

    I read on other forums of people with loose hose clips straight from the factory all the time.....
     
  9. sprintdave

    sprintdave Nurse, think it's time for his medications.
    Subscriber

    May 25, 2014
    1,563
    750
    Birmingham
    I always go over jubilee clips a few weeks after they have been fitted,usually get a quarter turn on them at least. I have however managed to strip a couple due to overtightening. I would guess yours have just settled down now. Hope so. Good luck.
     
  10. Red Thunder

    Red Thunder Crème de la Crème

    Dec 2, 2014
    2,034
    1,000
    High Wycombe
    Still leaking..although other than the loss of coolant from the expansion tank the radiator was right to the top this morning.
    Will do more testing over the weekend, have it running and see where it is coming from.

    Oooh, I can use the thermal camera on my Cat S60 phone, at alast a genuine reason for having it :)
     
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  11. sprintdave

    sprintdave Nurse, think it's time for his medications.
    Subscriber

    May 25, 2014
    1,563
    750
    Birmingham
    You just knew that fone would come in use one day didnt you??? lol
    good luck mate
     
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