Coolant Reservoir

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07-17-2012, 08:02 PM
Ltownblue

Coolant Reservoir

Mine cracked... down the middle during a ride on July 3rd. Crack was in the same location that others have reported - vertical on the front side of the tank. I currently have 23k miles on my '08 SM5, and other than brake squeal and a small caliper leak, this is the only problem that I've had. Fortunately, the leak was small enough for me to make it home. Be warned though, there does seem to be a systemic problem with these reservoirs. I picked up another one at Bert's Mega Mall - price with shipping and a couple of hose clamps was around $80.
07-17-2012, 11:10 PM
WackyDan

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ltownblue

Mine cracked... down the middle during a ride on July 3rd. Crack was in the same location that others have reported - vertical on the front side of the tank. I currently have 23k miles on my '08 SM5, and other than brake squeal and a small caliper leak, this is the only problem that I've had. Fortunately, the leak was small enough for me to make it home. Be warned though, there does seem to be a systemic problem with these reservoirs. I picked up another one at Bert's Mega Mall - price with shipping and a couple of hose clamps was around $80.

Seems they like to pop in the heat eh? I'm ordering a spare tonight along with that connector that seems to go bad too.
07-17-2012, 11:37 PM
pro10is

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Orange

Sounds like a good reason to pack some JB Weld into the tool kit.

Great idea but make it JB Weld Quick (the four minute stuff).
08-22-2012, 10:50 AM
dschaub

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ltownblue

Mine cracked... down the middle during a ride on July 3rd. Crack was in the same location that others have reported - vertical on the front side of the tank. I currently have 23k miles on my '08 SM5, and other than brake squeal and a small caliper leak, this is the only problem that I've had. Fortunately, the leak was small enough for me to make it home. Be warned though, there does seem to be a systemic problem with these reservoirs. I picked up another one at Bert's Mega Mall - price with shipping and a couple of hose clamps was around $80.

I have 2008 Roadster w/ 21,000 mile. i started to have collant slowly leak from this tank about a year ago (very littl and not enough to put the bike out of svc) then last week it started to come out after a short ride but made it back home. after checking closley with the panels off it was leaking on the back side in the middle of the tank at the seam. The seam looks like it was rotting or corroding away. I called my dealer (Land & Sea, Waterbury, CT), these are great guys there, he said he had one in stock and would warranty it (my $50.00 BRB deductable would be needed). They did not even need the bike in to there shop. A new one was quoted for $65.00 so this saved me a little $$$. After swapping it out and replacing the clamp (old one had to be dremel'd off, easy task) the install was simple.
This leads me to another issue on the collant **** VERY IMPORTANT ****. i drained the collant from the radiator using the drain plug at the bottom of the radiator, sounds normal right. The Drain Plug and Flange that the plug screws into completely separated from the radiator with very little pressure used on the wrench. I had the have this flange welded back on at a local radiator that welds aluminum (cost $70.00), new radiator is $300.00ish. This design is very bad at best. All spyder riders, word of warning, do not touch the drian plug on the radiator !!! if you need to drain the collant pull the lower hose, OEM clamp will have to be dremel'd off and replaced (again very simple task) but relly no risk at doing this for damage. I posted this info on another string (Radiator Broke).
08-22-2012, 04:30 PM
MikeinGA

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ltownblue

Mine cracked... down the middle during a ride on July 3rd. Crack was in the same location that others have reported - vertical on the front side of the tank. I currently have 23k miles on my '08 SM5, and other than brake squeal and a small caliper leak, this is the only problem that I've had. Fortunately, the leak was small enough for me to make it home. Be warned though, there does seem to be a systemic problem with these reservoirs. I picked up another one at Bert's Mega Mall - price with shipping and a couple of hose clamps was around $80.

BRP knows about this, I hope you got the new type of coolent tank. Didn't you get the memo from BRP?:roflblack::roflblack::roflblack: I carry a coolent tank repair kit with me. I started to trailer my Spyder if I go more than 150 miles from home due to some dealers were reported that they won't work on a Spyder unless it was bought at there dealer ship and most of the dealers do not stock parts for Spyders. I have been testing the BRP parts system, when we go traveling I stop at a Spyder dealer and ask for the things that are likely to break on a trip and they don't have them. This is the big down fall with owning a BRP Spyder. Like the old saying: A Motor Vehicle Is Only AS Good AS It's Availability To Get Parts And Service. That's IMHO.

Mike
08-23-2012, 07:10 AM
dschaub

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeinGA

BRP knows about this, I hope you got the new type of coolent tank. Didn't you get the memo from BRP?:roflblack::roflblack::roflblack: I carry a coolent repair kit with me. I started to trailer my Spyder if I go more than 105 miles from home due to some dealers were reported that they won't work on a Spyder unless it was bought at there dealer ship and most of the dealers do not stock parts for Spyders. I have been testing the BRP parts system, when we go traveling I stop at a Spyder dealer and ask for the things that are likely to break on a trip and they don't have them. This is the big down fall with owning a BRP Spyder. Like the old saying: A Motor Vehicle Is Only AS Good AS It's Availability To Get Parts And Service. That's IMHO.

Mike

Not sure what the new type of coolant tank is you referred too, my dealer in Waterbury, Ct had one in stock and it looked to be identical to the bad one that came out. I have not recieved anything from BRP talking about a known problem. Please advise if you have more details on a different type tank. Thanks
08-23-2012, 07:20 AM
Lamonster

The tank has been redesigned internally.

http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/a...9&d=1345724563
08-25-2012, 08:40 AM
lapirow

another failure

same thing happened to me last week on an 09 RS SM. It is winter here in Oz so heat stress is not expected. Best guess isthat it started with a poor or loose connection to thermostat housing which let pressure and heat build up. My tank split just as described. The dealer said it was split by expanding andpressing against the frame. He put a rubber pad in place to protect it.

I have also wired in a fan override switch to give some ability to lower the temperature in traffic. Easy job.
08-25-2012, 08:55 AM
Littlebadwolf

I'd like to see a list of the most common items that break down on the Spyders by model...RS/RT...items that can be carried on the road so you don't have to rely on dealers as to whether or not they'll work on your Spyder...I carry fuses, relays, sparkplugs, oil and a fire extinguisher..I know this isn't a complete list...Anybody care to contribute to the list?
08-25-2012, 04:05 PM
MikeinGA

Quote:

Originally Posted by Littlebadwolf

I'd like to see a list of the most common items that break down on the Spyders by model...RS/RT...items that can be carried on the road so you don't have to rely on dealers as to whether or not they'll work on your Spyder...I carry fuses, relays, sparkplugs, oil and a fire extinguisher..I know this isn't a complete list...Anybody care to contribute to the list?

Adding to the list: sparkplug wires (BajaRon's), coolent tank repair kit, tire repair kit, 12 Volt tire compressor, fix a flat, AAA motorcycle road side service, duct tape, bailing wire, first aid kit, tire air guage, rages, water, tools and coolent.

Mike
08-25-2012, 05:04 PM
Rayelljay

Another reason to own a trailer...;)
08-25-2012, 05:33 PM
NancysToy

Rule #1 - You can never carry adequate spares. Whatever part you need will be the one you didn't bring.
Rule #2 - You can never carry enough credit cards. A card will get your vehicle towed, get you a bus ticket, rental car, or motel room, or even buy that one spare you didn't bring along.
:roflblack:
08-26-2012, 01:13 PM
sinkhole

Quote:

Originally Posted by NancysToy

Rule #1 - You can never carry adequate spares. Whatever part you need will be the one you didn't bring.Rule #2 - You can never carry enough credit cards. A card will get your vehicle towed, get you a bus ticket, rental car, or motel room, or even buy that one spare you didn't bring along.:roflblack:

Amen!
08-26-2012, 05:02 PM
MikeinGA

Quote:

Originally Posted by NancysToy

Rule #1 - You can never carry adequate spares. Whatever part you need will be the one you didn't bring.
Rule #2 - You can never carry enough credit cards. A card will get your vehicle towed, get you a bus ticket, rental car, or motel room, or even buy that one spare you didn't bring along.
:roflblack:

Like I read on this forum. He went to a dealer and he had to order it. When he called about the part, they told him about 4 weeks to get it. Like the old saying: A Motor Vehicle Is Only AS Good AS It's Availability To Get Parts And Service. That's IMHO.

Mike
08-27-2012, 07:34 AM
Freddy

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeinGA

Like I read on this forum. He went to a dealer and he had to order it. When he called about the part, they told him about 4 weeks to get it. Like the old saying: A Motor Vehicle Is Only AS Good AS It's Availability To Get Parts And Service. That's IMHO.

Mike

Amen to that bro. AND reliability :sour:
08-27-2012, 07:36 AM
lapirow

Also happened to me

Quote:

Originally Posted by Littlebadwolf

I'd like to see a list of the most common items that break down on the Spyders by model...RS/RT...items that can be carried on the road so you don't have to rely on dealers as to whether or not they'll work on your Spyder...I carry fuses, relays, sparkplugs, oil and a fire extinguisher..I know this isn't a complete list...Anybody care to contribute to the list?

zip ties. rescue tape. mobile phone.money.
08-27-2012, 10:17 PM
MikeinGA

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freddy

Amen to that bro. AND reliability :sour:

The reliability has been good, I have my 2011 RS-S SE5 for about 13 months and almost 10,000 miles. I have an old 2008 service manual and 2011 service manual, I read the old one and went through the new manual and looked a the upgrades. They fixed alot of problems and my new tech. at Freedom Motor Sports ( that did a great job on my RS-S ) told me that they (BRP) are look for the fire problem. It looks like the new owners of BRP are fixing the problems that the old owners had. All they have to do is get rid of the bad dealers. That's IMHO.

Mike
08-28-2012, 07:11 AM
daveinva

1. Buy all the spare parts you think you'll need.

2. Leave them at home with the significant other, or at a reliable friend's.

3. If you can't fix it on the road or at a local dealer, you're at most a phone call and an overnight FedEx away from a replacement part.

Sadly not as simple as walking into any H-D dealership on Earth and riding out, but it's the compromise we make with BRP.
08-31-2012, 06:55 PM
Freddy

Does the new design have a new part number?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lamonster

The tank has been redesigned internally.

http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/a...9&d=1345724563
08-31-2012, 07:12 PM
Lamonster

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freddy

Does the new design have a new part number?

Not sure but there are no old tanks being shipped since early 2012.
08-31-2012, 07:48 PM
Ga Blue Knight

About the only spare that would make sense is to carry Lamont in the Frunk!
04-09-2013, 08:12 PM
Pilo

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lamonster

Not sure but there are no old tanks being shipped since early 2012.

Bought a replacement bottle last year and this week it just cracked (vertical cracks on the centerline, on the area where the internal baffle / reinforcement is glued / "welded" to the bottle).
So much for improvement... :yikes:
10-25-2014, 07:42 PM
Pilo

A year went by...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pilo

Bought a replacement bottle last year and this week it just cracked (vertical cracks on the centerline, on the area where the internal baffle / reinforcement is glued / "welded" to the bottle).
So much for improvement... :yikes:

Another replacement bottle cracked..., lasted just one year... :banghead:

Thinking of making an aluminum or stainless-steel tank... :gaah:
10-25-2014, 08:43 PM
ivanlee

1 Attachment(s)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pilo

Another replacement bottle cracked..., lasted just one year... :banghead:

Thinking of making an aluminum or stainless-steel tank... :gaah:

I made my own in 2009 . With a sight gage, :ohyea:
10-26-2014, 05:50 AM
Pilo

Quote:

Originally Posted by ivanlee

I made my own in 2009 . With a sight gage, :ohyea:

Cool... :thumbup:

Aluminum or stainless...? :hun:
10-26-2014, 09:07 AM
larryd

Did you install a new radiator cap when you replace the bottle???

Maybe the cap opening pressure is bad??? (just a suggestion)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pilo

Another replacement bottle cracked..., lasted just one year... :banghead:

Thinking of making an aluminum or stainless-steel tank... :gaah:
10-26-2014, 02:53 PM
ivanlee

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pilo

Cool... :thumbup:

Aluminum or stainless...? :hun:

Aluminum.:ohyea:
09-27-2015, 01:39 PM
SpyderSue

Mine just blew

Question - when I replace the coolant tank, is it a good idea to replace hoses as well as clamps? How about the cap? Thanks!
10-13-2015, 12:30 AM
WackyDan

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpyderSue

Question - when I replace the coolant tank, is it a good idea to replace hoses as well as clamps? How about the cap? Thanks!

Plan on the cap too.

There was a post here that a bad cap contributed to the problem for at least one owner. My tank on my 08 is still kicking... but due to that I carry a spare tank and cap... and the rub there is the tank is the old design before they updated it.