Antifreeze Leak Located

[bluestratos]

I have had a slow leak for a while, just a few drops under the front of the bike. I decided to pull the frunk off and check it out and found the lower radiator hose, the one that comes off the tie between the two rads, was seeping ever so little. I cut of the narrow factory clamp and replaced it with a wider hose clamp which fixed it.

I relized then that I could have simply removed the plastic rock shield under the bike to access this point but since I could not pin point the source it would have been unlikely that I would have know to do that without a better look. This would have been covered under the warranty but I wanted to check it out myself first anyways.

I did discover that the radiator surfaces were about 50% plugged with bugs and debris so I was glad I could get to that and vacuum them out. I only have 9000 miles on the 14 so I was surprised how fast this had occured. I do have the stainless grill inserts but this all debris that was much smaller than either of the 2 grill in front of the rads. Something us 14 Rt owners will have to keep in mind, based on the how badly the surface was plugged I would have likely seen issues with cooling by the end of this year.

 

[SpyderAnn01]

Why didn't you take it to your dealer?

 

[garb55]

I had the same leak in the same place and I fixed it the same way
My radiators were also filled with bugs [guess I need to ride faster to push the bugs threw the radiator]


Ann
I took mine to the dealer but they could not find the leak [intermittent]

 

[Cruzr Joe]

I have had a slow leak for a while, just a few drops under the front of the bike. I decided to pull the frunk off and check it out and found the lower radiator hose, the one that comes off the tie between the two rads, was seeping ever so little. I cut of the narrow factory clamp and replaced it with a wider hose clamp which fixed it.

I relized then that I could have simply removed the plastic rock shield under the bike to access this point but since I could not pin point the source it would have been unlikely that I would have know to do that without a better look. This would have been covered under the warranty but I wanted to check it out myself first anyways.

I did discover that the radiator surfaces were about 50% plugged with bugs and debris so I was glad I could get to that and vacuum them out. I only have 9000 miles on the 14 so I was surprised how fast this had occured. I do have the stainless grill inserts but this all debris that was much smaller than either of the 2 grill in front of the rads. Something us 14 Rt owners will have to keep in mind, based on the how badly the surface was plugged I would have likely seen issues with cooling by the end of this year.

Nice job, glad you got it fixed.

Cruzr Joe

 

[Bob Denman]

:agree: :clap: :firstplace:
Sometimes; it's rather satisfying to tackle a project like this... :thumbup:

 

[cptjam]

Clamp

Randy,
put a dab of loctite on that clamp. The factory uses one time clamps, which normally work well. Joe

 

[SpyderAnn01]

Randy,
put a dab of loctite on that clamp. The factory uses one time clamps, which normally work well. Joe

Good morning

 

[ARtraveler]

I have had a slow leak for a while, just a few drops under the front of the bike. I decided to pull the frunk off and check it out and found the lower radiator hose, the one that comes off the tie between the two rads, was seeping ever so little. I cut of the narrow factory clamp and replaced it with a wider hose clamp which fixed it.

I relized then that I could have simply removed the plastic rock shield under the bike to access this point but since I could not pin point the source it would have been unlikely that I would have know to do that without a better look. This would have been covered under the warranty but I wanted to check it out myself first anyways.

I did discover that the radiator surfaces were about 50% plugged with bugs and debris so I was glad I could get to that and vacuum them out. I only have 9000 miles on the 14 so I was surprised how fast this had occured. I do have the stainless grill inserts but this all debris that was much smaller than either of the 2 grill in front of the rads. Something us 14 Rt owners will have to keep in mind, based on the how badly the surface was plugged I would have likely seen issues with cooling by the end of this year.

I experienced the same thing with plugged radiator surfaces from bugs. Had some front end parts replaced due to the accident with the dog. When the radiators were exposed, they were full of debris. I am installing the KOTT grilles prior to riding this season, but an am also going to watch the radiator crud buildup. Apparently, the system works very well at sucking air. :yes:

 

[Chupaca]

Great..!!

thanks for posting this tid bit of information. Seems others have had the same problem but now those that have it will know what to do or what to tell the dealer to do...:bowdown:hyea:hyea:

 

[Trbayth]

I had the same problem (hose clamp, not the bugs) on my ST. Is this particular hose & clamp something the dealer does when they mount the frunk?

 

[bluestratos]

Hi Ann

Good morning

I have the knot grills but they only stop the large debris.

I did the repair my self for a few reasons. I wanted to inspect things back there for the most part, I have wiring that I added that I wanted to be sure was staying in place and since I was in there I thought I would take of the leak if it was and easy fix. Also, if it had been more complex I could assist my dealer in locating the problem. My dealer is 40 miles away so it is a hassle which I try to avoid. I will let them know what I found since I had informed them of the leak already.

 

[Charlotte17078]

2011 Leak

Antifreeze Leak Located

I have had a slow leak for a while, just a few drops under the front of the bike. I decided to pull the frunk off and check it out and found the lower radiator hose, the one that comes off the tie between the two rads, was seeping ever so little. I cut of the narrow factory clamp and replaced it with a wider hose clamp which fixed it.​

My 2011 RT-S had a small puddle under it when we uncovered it about a month ago. We refilled it and have been on a few short rides. The leaks were less each time we parked it overnight and now there are no leaks. Took it to the dealer and they can't find a leak after pressure testing it, etc. This issue was causing me to consider a trade, but, I REALLY like my ryde... having second thoughts about the trade!

 

[bluestratos]

I can't recall where the overflow is on the 11, but if I recall correctly it falls onto the rockgaurd. If the antifreeze is too full and/or if the bike overheats and puks a bit out it can take awhile before all the drips disappear. I also washed my bike at a car wash and the suds must not have been washed off completely. I thought for sure I had a leak since a pink color puddle appeared then got less every day until it quite. At one point I tasted a drop and it was soapy so that explained it. Just a thought, I would keep an eye on it.

 

[YIRYDE]

Antifreeze Leak Located

I have had a slow leak for a while, just a few drops under the front of the bike. I decided to pull the frunk off and check it out and found the lower radiator hose, the one that comes off the tie between the two rads, was seeping ever so little. I cut of the narrow factory clamp and replaced it with a wider hose clamp which fixed it.​

My 2011 RT-S had a small puddle under it when we uncovered it about a month ago. We refilled it and have been on a few short rides. The leaks were less each time we parked it overnight and now there are no leaks. Took it to the dealer and they can't find a leak after pressure testing it, etc. This issue was causing me to consider a trade, but, I REALLY like my ryde... having second thoughts about the trade!

If you still haven't corrected your leak yet, it may be the worm clamp. A lot of members have had this problem including myself when I had my 2011 RT. See this thread for more info, http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/...ing-Anti-Freeze&highlight=leaking+anti+freeze. If you search the site for worm clamp or coolant leak you will find a lot of threads discussing this.