Thunderbird 900 Spitting Out Its Coolant

I assume the air filter is clean and there is no oil in the air box? Not to familiar with your bike but assume it has crank case breathers etc. Have you checked them for blockages and splits?

 

Grey smoke is an indicator for a possible head gasket failure, however if this only takes place on warm up that leans me towards something else. Can you clarify how and were you store the bike, it would be helpful. By that I mean outside or in a garage, is the garage concrete panelled, as mentioned it does make a difference.

 

I would definitely replace the hose.

 

Ah I was wondering if this was the case re storage, what can happen is a machine outside is subject to a lot of internal condensation, inside the exhaust, on start up the heat turns the condensation to vapour, basically smoke.

 

Have you changed the pipe with the split in it?

 

I got to say I admire your determination to get this sorted.
I really hope that you'll soon get to the bottom of the problem. Having the same bike as you, it's also very interesting to follow this.

 

Hi Stu, I too admire your tenacity but surely after 6 months of asking it might be time to replace the gasket as suggested numerous times, at least then you can use the bike

 

This is easy for me to say, but just imagine for one minute you get it sorted. What a massive Pat on the back that would be for you. And the satisfaction you'd get from doing it all yourself. But I know what you mean, I'm like you, I can do most things on my Thunderbird, but stripping the engine down would put my back end into overdrive. I think a lot of people reading this thread are hoping you do get it sorted

 

The cylinders have wet liners which are sealed during installation. Could it be possible that the sealant has failed and coolant is leaking into the crankcases and sump? If the cylinder head is removed to replace the gasket the liners will be disturbed and need to be re-sealed.

 

You sure it isn't condensation ? seen many car engines with emulsified oil in rocker box due to short runs in cold climate . Use to work on large diesel engines before i retired , we use to check oil for coolant contamination due to liner seals failing . Our test gear was very simple , small test tube we filled with oil sample , rubber cork to seal tube with capillary tube in it , tube was then sat in near boiling water . If the oil had any coolant contamination then most if not all the oil is forced out test tube and our day went from bad to worse as we had Liners to pull now LOL . Thing is even with coolant in oil the oil still looks perfectly ok

 

@Stu9000 Might have missed something here, but how's the coolant problem going, or have you sold the bike. ??