leaking antifreeze

[baldeagle55]

I have a Rt iam seeing antifreeze on top of the skid plate does anybody know what to look for on a head gasket leak coolant tank not leaking Iam just about to give up on the thing it starting to pluck my last nerve

 

[Jeriatric]

I have a Rt iam seeing antifreeze on top of the skid plate does anybody know what to look for on a head gasket leak coolant tank not leaking Iam just about to give up on the thing it starting to pluck my last nerve

Excellent pics of places to check closely.


http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/...ing-Anti-Freeze&highlight=leaking+anti+freeze

 

[plescaille]

Systemic problem

This problem may be as simple as tightening a hose clamp, it could be a cracked reservoir tank, but it is probable a problem with the mechanical seal known as water pump shaft. I own 2 2012 rts and both have the problem. Today while helping another board member deal with an improperly installed Bluetooth cell phone harness I told him to shine a light down to the tray near the fan and he too had antifreeze.

The shafts were on back order but have arrived at my dealer today. If they were on backorder it is because there is a high demand. the sad part is that most people don't even know they have a problem because it is a small leak coming from the weep hole.

Hopefully they can put my wife's bike back together on Monday and do mine on Tuesday.

This is a pretty significant job. See pic below It really should be a recall in my opinion. I called BRP when I was told the parts were on back order . They said they were available. The following day the dealer said they were released. I am pretty disappointed to say the least. We have missed 2 weekends of riding.

its worth a quick looking into.

 

[gypsy_100]

The following day the dealer said they were released. I am pretty disappointed to say the least. We have missed 2 weekends of riding.

its worth a quick looking into.

Bald Eagle, hopefully it's just a clamp or something simple. Don't have any worries until you know for sure.

Plescaille, don't feel too bad -- I'm on seven weeks of missed riding this season and still counting. The replacement shafts/seals have not been working. I have now had three replacements and all failed -- once after 8K miles and two immediately. The dealer, BRP and me all agree we're not replacing any more shafts until BRP figures out what is going on. So now we wait...

Hopefully I'm a unique case (no comments please) and you will be just fine. All dealers are supposed to let BRP know of water pump shaft failures now via their dealer "blog" or whatever it is. My dealer checked yesterday and found the instructions on his dealer/BRP website to start letting BRP know about this. Make sure your dealer does that. We need to get this problem solved once and for all and BRP needs the dealer feedback.

 

[plescaille]

That is simply not right. Thank God my state has lemon laws which I will exercise if it comes to that.

 

[MouthPiece]

Although I know it's there for a reason, the last thing you want is a court battle.

Chris

 

[NancysToy]

That is simply not right. Thank God my state has lemon laws which I will exercise if it comes to that.

...and what will that get you? Lemon laws were designed to protect against the "day-before-the-holiday" type of vehicles, that have either a myriad of problems, or some unique problem that has proven to be difficult to resolve. Problems with design or manufacturing, that affect many vehicles, are best handled by working with the dealers and manufacturers to report the problems so the extent of the issue is known, then patiently waiting for the investigation and re-engineering or re-manufacturing needed to address the issue. This takes time and persistence, unfortunately...sometimes a lot of time. The option would be to turn in your vehicle under the lemon law, then be left with nothing, since an identical replacement vehicle would likely have the same problem. That makes no sense to me at all. Lemon laws are necessary in some cases, but they don't resolve problems, they only relieve individuals...with much pain and agony on both sides in the bargain. They should be a last resort, not an immediate option.

 

[SpydeRider2010]

from a car dealership svc dept perspective...
mention Lemon Law or attorney, and you
INSTANTLY slam the door on a dealership's
willingness to go the EXTRA mile/kilometer
to help you resolve something that may NOT
be their fault. at that point, many have a
tendency to do NO MORE than they ABSOLUTELY
have to, in order to keep you from being in a
life threatenting situation with the veh. beyond
that... you'll get SQUAT !!!

being pissed off about it is understandable, and
is just as frustrating for the dealership as you.
they would like nothing better than having you
on the road and coming back with a smile on
your face for upgrades, services and purchases,
rather than disgust. it simply makes for good
business and happy riding.

be FIRM, but reasonable. it'll get you MUCH
farther than fist pounding or threatening. MOST
dealerships WILL work with you to resolve your
concerns, if you're willing to work with them.
and MANY times, the dealership has NO control
over when parts come from the factory or what
the factory will authorize. they'll go to bat for
good customers, but not for WARRANTY Claim
customers. buy a vehicle and never show up to
a dealer for anything but warranty repairs...
there is NO customer loyalty on your part, or
theirs. just a fact of life...

 

[plescaille]

Guys....re-read my post...I said "If it comes to that".

I have no issue whatsoever with my dealer. On the contrary, they are excellent !!

I agree with all of you. It is that last resort I would ever take. But I would not underestimate the power of our laws. The dealer has nothing to do with the fact that the vehicle has this problem. But with the lemon you are not left with nothing, you are in fact able to recover losses. Yes you would not have the vehicle, but so what if you can't drive it. You may be surprised to know that many automobile lemon law claims are in fact initiated by customers at the suggestion of the dealer.

I just think that manufactures should be more proactive in identifying, and communicating problems of this nature. For shafts to be on backorder and for them to just start an investigation this week is reflective of the attention being paid. I called BRP weeks ago once I identified the problem. I asked if this was a known issue and i was told the had no record of it being a problem.

Gang we love our bikes. We are frustrated because we want to ride them. I have no desire to engage in battle with BRP or anyone for that matter. I bought these to have fun... not to have them sit in the shop and be writing these post. But to hear that someone has had there bike in a shop for 7 weeks is alarming. No matter how loyal any of us may be to any brand,,, it's just not right.

Hopefully this all gets resolved and it will not result and greater pains for those of us that are dealing with it and for those that soon will.

Thanks :thumbup:

 

[gypsy_100]

Just to be clear... I missed seven weeks of riding this season. Three weeks in May (perfect riding weather) when the first water pump shaft was replaced -- along with the clutch slave cylinder being rebuilt at the same time (which left me stranded). Now I've lost four weeks -- most of Sept and beginning of October (again perfect riding weather) -- for the 2nd and 3rd shaft replacements. Still totally unacceptable performance. Right now while BRP tries to figure this out, I'm actually riding the RT with the leak. Although the anti-freeze that shows up in the splash pan is obvious, the volume is actually very little. I am keeping careful track of the level in the expansion tank and in 400 miles, it has not gone down enough to see. BRP tech people said it was OK to keep riding it so that's what I'm doing. Not great but better than sitting in the dealer's storage collecting dust.

 

[Sarge707]

This problem may be as simple as tightening a hose clamp, it could be a cracked reservoir tank, but it is probable a problem with the mechanical seal known as water pump shaft. I own 2 2012 rts and both have the problem. Today while helping another board member deal with an improperly installed Bluetooth cell phone harness I told him to shine a light down to the tray near the fan and he too had antifreeze.

The shafts were on back order but have arrived at my dealer today. If they were on backorder it is because there is a high demand. the sad part is that most people don't even know they have a problem because it is a small leak coming from the weep hole.

Hopefully they can put my wife's bike back together on Monday and do mine on Tuesday.

This is a pretty significant job. See pic below It really should be a recall in my opinion. I called BRP when I was told the parts were on back order . They said they were available. The following day the dealer said they were released. I am pretty disappointed to say the least. We have missed 2 weekends of riding.

its worth a quick looking into.

OK- I only have 300 m iles on my new RT and went out and checked today and there was a little Green stuff on the bottom BUT I also checked the worm Clamp and it was quite Loose for my taste and tightened it up a good 3-4 turns!
Members must have Several Thousand miles on their 2012 RT,s and I wonder if this shaft Problem is widespead or Not???:dontknow:

 

[plescaille]

Update!!

I just picked up my wife's bike and dropped mine off. Drove about 45 miles. So far so good.

The mechanic at Metuchen can am seems to know his s:cus:t. Hopefully I will get mine back tomorrow evening.

I will continue to update. In the meantime take a quick peak. All you need is a flashlight. Shine it in the cavity on right side ow in front of fan toward the pan and as far to the center of he bike as you can. If you see antifreeze you need to address it.

best of luck!

 

[Sarge707]

You indicated BRP had No indication this was a Problem.

I,m looking for others feedback as to whether they Personally experienced this with Their 2012 RT,s????nojoke

 

[plescaille]

You indicated BRP had No indication this was a Problem.

I,m looking for others feedback as to whether they Personally experienced this with Their 2012 RT,s????nojoke

Correct when I called they said there were not aware of any issues, but there are more current post that state that they started an"Investigation. The Parts were on back order but are available now. My 2 bikes had the leak, there is another NJ member that has it and did not know it.

Its a quick check worth doing. Hopefully most will not have it.

 

[Sarge707]

Thanks! Will be taking of the right side tupperware soon and adding a big Black zip tie Just before the worm clamp to make sure it doesn,t leak and keep an eye out for the other possible leak!

 

[plescaille]

I picked up my bike today . Road it home and no leak.:yes: Hopefully it holds.

 

[gypsy_100]

Update on Water Pump Shaft

Just to be clear... I missed seven weeks of riding this season. Three weeks in May (perfect riding weather) when the first water pump shaft was replaced -- along with the clutch slave cylinder being rebuilt at the same time (which left me stranded). Now I've lost four weeks -- most of Sept and beginning of October (again perfect riding weather) -- for the 2nd and 3rd shaft replacements. Still totally unacceptable performance. Right now while BRP tries to figure this out, I'm actually riding the RT with the leak. Although the anti-freeze that shows up in the splash pan is obvious, the volume is actually very little. I am keeping careful track of the level in the expansion tank and in 400 miles, it has not gone down enough to see. BRP tech people said it was OK to keep riding it so that's what I'm doing. Not great but better than sitting in the dealer's storage collecting dust.

Here's the update. BRP asked my dealer to replace the entire clutch cover housing along with a new water pump shaft and seals. They asked the dealer to remove the current clutch cover housing and water pump shaft as a unit and keep it together, then send it to BRP for them to examine. While I appreciate that BRP is now getting involved and examining things, I'm skeptical that replacing the clutch cover housing will solve the problem. But who knows??

BRP sent my dealer all the parts for the job and the RT is now in the shop. Good timing as they can have it for several days while Sandy passes thru. Since the last shaft replacement a couple weeks ago, we've done some traveling with the small leak continuing, putting on about 1,000 miles. The accumulation in the splash pan looks scary but careful tracking of the level in the expansion tank shows a loss of only about 1/8".

Now we'll see what happens...

 

[gypsy_100]

Final Update

OK. Here's the "final" (I hope) update. The RT was in the shop for just under two weeks while they replaced the water pump shaft, seals, etc and the entire clutch housing. Also replaced the oil pressure sensor as a possible source of a tiny oil leak. I picked the bike up Friday and put about 450 miles on it over the weekend. No leak, the weep hole is perfectly clean. So the repair is good for now. Unfortunately since I've had two previous seals fail after 8,000 miles, I have no way of knowing if this time is lifetime or temporary. No one seems to be able to tell me exactly what benefit accrued from replacing the clutch housing. I fear it was a "shot in the dark" by BRP as they didn't know what else to try. But I'll optimistically hope that it did the job. My dealer did ship the original clutch housing and shaft as a unit back to BRP for examination but neither of us expects we'll ever hear any results.

As my riding season slowly draws to a close here in PA, the RT has been in the shop over eight weeks this season, or about 25% of the season. Not exactly outstanding performance.

I have mailed a detailed, carefully written letter to BRP management, letting them know how much I love the RT and its great long-distance potential but also that its reliability needs improvement if it is to do the job it's intended for. A history of all the problems and the time involved is included. Now I've got to get riding before the snow flies!