breakdowns with coolant

[smokster]

To date I have been stranded 2times due to coolant loss
1. coolant bottle leak, not stranded, slow leak
2. Thermostat destroyed (7 hrs stranded)
3. Hub above thermostat (do not know the name) (5 hours stranded)

Each has put the bike out of riding for 1 week each waiting for parts.

2 an 3 have left me stranded for hours leaking all my coolant.
I am slowly losing faith in how far I can travel from home.

Anyone else have coolant problems?
Do we need to carry these extra parts (only $15-30 each)?

 

[BajaRon]

To date I have been stranded 2times due to coolant loss
1. coolant bottle leak, not stranded, slow leak
2. Thermostat destroyed (7 hrs stranded)
3. Hub above thermostat (do not know the name) (5 hours stranded)

Each has put the bike out of riding for 1 week each waiting for parts.

2 an 3 have left me stranded for hours leaking all my coolant.
I am slowly losing faith in how far I can travel from home.

Anyone else have coolant problems?
Do we need to carry these extra parts (only $15-30 each)?

Last trip to Canada I left the cap just sitting on top of the reservoir. Got about 120 miles just fine but boiled over when we stopped for gas. Took about 1/2 gallon to fill it up again.

Other than that, no problems at all with the cooling system. And this one was self inflicted. Used up everyones bottled water stash getting me going again! :yikes:

 

[WackyDan]

No problems after 10k miles.

That tank is pricey to keep for spare - so is that cap.

I think you are probably having some dumb luck... Hopefully, after the 3 count of issues, that should be the last coolant related failure.

I've taken four long distance tours now....

1st tour - no issues
2nd tour - bad O2 sensor - did not prevent me from riding.
3rd tour - no issues, but ran crappy in high humidity and heat of Mississippi.
4th tour - halfway through so far... O2 sensor errors, and brake failure scroll due to low brake fluid...

None of my issues have been show stoppers, but did cause me to hit dealers on the road. I think outright failures that cause you to be towed are rare overall. While my experiences have been minor compared to yours, I grow weary at times of the over computerized monster we all own.

 

[Star Cruiser]

To date I have been stranded 2times due to coolant loss
1. coolant bottle leak, not stranded, slow leak
2. Thermostat destroyed (7 hrs stranded)
3. Hub above thermostat (do not know the name) (5 hours stranded)

Each has put the bike out of riding for 1 week each waiting for parts.

2 an 3 have left me stranded for hours leaking all my coolant.
I am slowly losing faith in how far I can travel from home.

Anyone else have coolant problems?
Do we need to carry these extra parts (only $15-30 each)?

I had a coolant bottle leak. Happened while i was in Daytona Beach Bike Week (it was so cold I don't think I would have needed any anyway - LOL) I got to the dealer "DAYTONA FUN MACHINES" and they ordered the part overnight express. I paid for the express delivery, but the rest was covered under warranty. No other coolant issues.
50,000 km and still going strong

 

[NancysToy]

Repeated coolant system failures of this nature, especially with varied causes, are extremely rare. I can understand your worry. If I were you, I would have your pressure cap replaced, just for luck. There is usually a cause for repeated, differing system failures. For the cooling system, too much system pressure (failure to vent to overflow) could be the key. I would also question the water pump function, with repeated overheating incidents. Good luck in finding a permanent cure.

 

[smokster]

Repeated coolant system failures of this nature, especially with varied causes, are extremely rare. I can understand your worry. If I were you, I would have your pressure cap replaced, just for luck. There is usually a cause for repeated, differing system failures. For the cooling system, too much system pressure (failure to vent to overflow) could be the key. I would also question the water pump function, with repeated overheating incidents. Good luck in finding a permanent cure.

I have my pipes coated, wondering if doing this retains too much heat?

 

[pierrelogic]

I have my pipes coated, wondering if doing this retains too much heat?

Coated with what?

I've had no problems with my coolant, but I do still check it religiously. After 10,000 miles it's still as strong as what comes directly out of the bottle according to my antifreeze tester gauge. :dontknow:

 

[Blinc]

Yep,
Bottle once
Thermostat Housing once
Connector (where all the hoses hook up) once

 

[boborgera]

I had a slight leak at the hose clamps,
Tighten the clamps put a little pepper in' Hasn't leaked in over two years.

 

[ataDude]

I had a slight leak at the hose clamps,
Tighten the clamps put a little pepper in' Hasn't leaked in over two years.

Pepper? Do tell.

.

 

[NancysToy]

I have my pipes coated, wondering if doing this retains too much heat?

This should have no effect. Even if it did, it would show on your gauge.

 

[smokster]

Coated with what?

I've had no problems with my coolant, but I do still check it religiously. After 10,000 miles it's still as strong as what comes directly out of the bottle according to my antifreeze tester gauge. :dontknow:

ceramic coated

 

[smokster]

Yep,
Bottle once
Thermostat Housing once
Connector (where all the hoses hook up) once

Ditto...how many miles do you have?
I have 32 k...each happened within the last 1000k

 

[LittleJohn]

Pepper? Do tell.

.

Pepper in the water will eventually fill in the seeps and swell to clog them. I uised this trick on alot of clunkers when I was young, and usually sold them quickly thereafter. Dont think Id trust it as a permanent fix on the Spyder though.

 

[boborgera]

Pepper in the water will eventually fill in the seeps and swell to clog them. I uised this trick on alot of clunkers when I was young, and usually sold them quickly thereafter. Dont think Id trust it as a permanent fix on the Spyder though.

Quite often going through the heavy Laural pulling out lumber with my tractors, the Laurel would punch a hole in the radiators, i would pinch the fins with a needle nose then add pepper. Best sealer you can get.:2thumbs:

 

[sylblk]

coolant tank

back to the original question, the coolant tank is of very poor design with an internal baffle that weakens the body over time due to expansion under pressure. my second tank didn't last 8 months... tried to seal cracks to no avail. no reason to use an expansion tank when it can be used as an overflow tank ( unpressurized ). fitted a honda cbr1000 filler neck part # 19035-mfl-003 next to the tank. no pressure in tank and same total coolant volume. eliminated vital weakness. total cost: $20.

 

[smokster]

back to the original question, the coolant tank is of very poor design with an internal baffle that weakens the body over time due to expansion under pressure. my second tank didn't last 8 months... tried to seal cracks to no avail. no reason to use an expansion tank when it can be used as an overflow tank ( unpressurized ). fitted a honda cbr1000 filler neck part # 19035-mfl-003 next to the tank. no pressure in tank and same total coolant volume. eliminated vital weakness. total cost: $20.

My tank was a slow leak, the thermostat and other leak actually put me stranded.
Did anyone have these issues much bigger than the coolant tank?

 

[Campverdefela]

back to the original question, the coolant tank is of very poor design with an internal baffle that weakens the body over time due to expansion under pressure. my second tank didn't last 8 months... tried to seal cracks to no avail. no reason to use an expansion tank when it can be used as an overflow tank ( unpressurized ). fitted a honda cbr1000 filler neck part # 19035-mfl-003 next to the tank. no pressure in tank and same total coolant volume. eliminated vital weakness. total cost: $20.

I've ordered that filler neck part and is that all that is needed to install. Can you post pictures or describe the install for me. Anyone else have thoughts on this?

 

[sylblk]

coolant tank rework

not hard to modify, hard to take pix. the filler neck will accept brp cap, it has two pressure ports: large port to engine hose originally connected to bottom of tank large port, small port to air bleed hose from engine originally connected to top vertical port at tank. the side, unpressurized, neck port is to be connected to the port at bottom of tank via a reducer, i pipe threaded the inside and fitted plastic reducer. the tank won't be under pressure so a vented plastic cap should be fitted to keep the coolant clean. any vehicle with the radiator below the engine must have filling port and reservoir above it. this mod satisfies the need without the weakness of a plastic expansion tank as honda well knows.

 

[Campverdefela]

not hard to modify, hard to take pix. the filler neck will accept brp cap, it has two pressure ports: large port to engine hose originally connected to bottom of tank large port, small port to air bleed hose from engine originally connected to top vertical port at tank. the side, unpressurized, neck port is to be connected to the port at bottom of tank via a reducer, i pipe threaded the inside and fitted plastic reducer. the tank won't be under pressure so a vented plastic cap should be fitted to keep the coolant clean. any vehicle with the radiator below the engine must have filling port and reservoir above it. this mod satisfies the need without the weakness of a plastic expansion tank as honda well knows.

I appreciate the reply but sure could use a few pics and where did you buy the reducer and vented cap, what size? Sorry to put you on the spot but now I'm committed and lost at sea.