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Leaking antifreeze

StormSpyder

New member
I have 2011 RT with 15k miles, have noticed recently an antifreeze leak under the body of the bic, it collects in the plastic pan under the engine. I have looked at the tank and rad and those seem ok. I have added fluid as it is going down some in the tank. I can't detect a leak when driving the bic. After I park it in the garage and come back to it cold there is a small puddle of antifreeze under the bic. I want to go to Florida after Christmas and this leak has me worried. Any ideas?
 
Been there, done that, got the "T" shirt……. Hopefully, it's a loose fitting, not the pump. Pull the side cover off & check the hose clamps for security… that's what mine was.
 
LEAK

Or check the actual " TANK ", quite a few of them have sprung leaks in various places .....Hopefully you can find it ...and hopefully it's still covered by a warranty...........Good Luck ......Mike ...:pray:......:thumbup:
 
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I had a leak, but only after I checked the level in the tank for the first time. Turned out I failed to reinstall the pressure cap properly. Self inflicted wound.
 
Been there, done that, got the "T" shirt……. Hopefully, it's a loose fitting, not the pump. Pull the side cover off & check the hose clamps for security… that's what mine was.
:agree: It's the only clamp that's a worm type,
IF that's the problem a turn or two with a screwdriver will
fix it.
 
As was said, check the worm clamp. You might also have a problem with the water pump shaft seal. There is a service bulletin for that. If snugging down the worm clamp doesn't fix the problem, see your dealer.
 
I've got a leak too. Mine is the water pump shaft seal. Antifreeze comes out the top weep hole of the water pump and drips onto the right side of the frame and brake lines just behind the radiator/fan. I get maybe a drop or two on the garage floor immediately after a ride but none while the spyder sits. Probably going through about 8oz or so every 1000 miles. Nothing major.
It's a VERY common problem in the Aprilia world with these motors. It's fine to ride as long as you pay attention to the coolant level. I'm waiting for winter before it goes in for warranty repairs...;)
 
wfdfirech3

I have a 2012 RT S se5 and my water pump shaft seal started leaking at about 5000 miles, my dealer ordered the parts but I haven't taken it in for repair yet. Now that there is snow I should take it in.
 
I had the dsame problem. Here are some photos of what I found. A lose worm clamp was the issue for me.
 

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leak

I wish that was my problem my bike is going on the 7th week in the shop for a antifreeze leak. Now they tell me I have a broke cam chain guide did test after test presure test they change all hoses getting fed up.They called my a week ago told me it was done out of the shop for a hour same problem maybe this time it will be right if not going to another dealer
 
I had the dsame problem. Here are some photos of what I found. A lose worm clamp was the issue for me.

Not doubting, just trying to learn but are you sure that was your only leak? Just wondering because in the 3rd pic I see what looks like an oil droplet on the motor up a bit higher.
The water pump shaft also has an oil seal on the motor side that shares the same weep hole. Not unusual to have antifreeze or a combination of oil and antifreeze come out that hole.

My pictures would look identical to yours except I don't have that obvious staining at the hose clamp like you do. But the droplets are in the exact same location on the frame. I'm right at 2500 miles and this has been going on for a little bit now....
 
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I had the same two leaks on my 2010 RT. Service tech noted it during oilchange/check. they called it oil pump. Not to bad a price.
Oldmanzues
 
Water Pump Shaft Seals

Hopefully it's just your clamp. My 2011 RT has just over 19K on it and I have had the water pump shaft seals replaced four times; this last time they also replaced the entire clutch cover housing at the recommendation of BRP. It still leaks. It was in the dealer's again this week for "documentation" purposes. BRP wanted photos of the leak in action and exactly when it is leaking. Said they would send the photos and info to Rotax for their input.

The RT has been in the shop over 9 weeks this season for this problem. The dealer, BRP and I all agree there is no point in just continuing to replace the same things over and over. We'll see what Rotax says, if anything. Meanwhile, I'll just continue to ride it and enjoy it and keep an eye on it. Although the leak is annoying, it's so small that no significant loss of antifreeze occurs even over many miles. Winter is about here in PA so if Rotax comes up with a suggestion, I may not get it back to the dealer until spring. Depends on the snow and road salt situation.

My dealer also informed me that BRP put out a bulletin on some of their Rotax-engined ATV's that a small amount of leakage from the weep hole is normal for this type of mechanical seal and not cause for concern. The question is what is "normal and acceptable" and what is not. The dealer said no such notices have come out for the Spyder. To his credit, he's not trying to blow me off by saying it's normal. He's in it as deeply as I am and wants an answer from BRP and Rotax.
 
I Noticed a Little green stuff on the lower plastic (600 Miles) and the worm clamp turned a Good 3 revolutions.
Question? Is 2 inches of coolant in the bottom of the bottle enough?:dontknow:
 
Not doubting, just trying to learn but are you sure that was your only leak? Just wondering because in the 3rd pic I see what looks like an oil droplet on the motor up a bit higher.
The water pump shaft also has an oil seal on the motor side that shares the same weep hole. Not unusual to have antifreeze or a combination of oil and antifreeze come out that hole.

My pictures would look identical to yours except I don't have that obvious staining at the hose clamp like you do. But the droplets are in the exact same location on the frame. I'm right at 2500 miles and this has been going on for a little bit now....

Good catch but the oil was from another issue. When I rode my brand new RT home I found out that the factory had pinched the O-ring for the transmision filter cover. Once the engine warmed up and ran at the higher speeds it started to leak more and more. I noticed the oil on the ground during the inspection when I picked it up. I was told it was not from the RT but from something that had been parked there. Once the O-ring went it sprayed oil all over the engine bay, outside plastic, even up on the dash! Murphy Brown had this happen after an oil change and can atest to the mess it makes. I think this is just left over oil that was not cleaned up.
 
Good catch but the oil was from another issue. When I rode my brand new RT home I found out that the factory had pinched the O-ring for the transmision filter cover. Once the engine warmed up and ran at the higher speeds it started to leak more and more. I noticed the oil on the ground during the inspection when I picked it up. I was told it was not from the RT but from something that had been parked there. Once the O-ring went it sprayed oil all over the engine bay, outside plastic, even up on the dash! Murphy Brown had this happen after an oil change and can atest to the mess it makes. I think this is just left over oil that was not cleaned up.

Good to hear! :thumbup:
 
Hopefully it's just your clamp. My 2011 RT has just over 19K on it and I have had the water pump shaft seals replaced four times; this last time they also replaced the entire clutch cover housing at the recommendation of BRP. It still leaks. It was in the dealer's again this week for "documentation" purposes. BRP wanted photos of the leak in action and exactly when it is leaking. Said they would send the photos and info to Rotax for their input.

The RT has been in the shop over 9 weeks this season for this problem. The dealer, BRP and I all agree there is no point in just continuing to replace the same things over and over. We'll see what Rotax says, if anything. Meanwhile, I'll just continue to ride it and enjoy it and keep an eye on it. Although the leak is annoying, it's so small that no significant loss of antifreeze occurs even over many miles. Winter is about here in PA so if Rotax comes up with a suggestion, I may not get it back to the dealer until spring. Depends on the snow and road salt situation.

My dealer also informed me that BRP put out a bulletin on some of their Rotax-engined ATV's that a small amount of leakage from the weep hole is normal for this type of mechanical seal and not cause for concern. The question is what is "normal and acceptable" and what is not. The dealer said no such notices have come out for the Spyder. To his credit, he's not trying to blow me off by saying it's normal. He's in it as deeply as I am and wants an answer from BRP and Rotax.

This thread is really worth the time to read over. Seems like the Aprilia guys have it figured out. http://www.apriliaforum.com/forums/showthread.php?34770-Water-Pump-Seals

One thing to note, is that from my understanding if you buy a clutch cover housing it comes with the seals already installed. So, to install the shaft you have to drive it through both seals (not good). This along with burs on the shaft as well as possible sloppy installation practices (using a hammer, haha...), can make the seal real prone to failure.

I figure I'll give the dealer one shot with it since mine is still under warranty. However, it really doesn't seem to be that big of a deal to do this repair correctly with just a little attention to detail....

Good Luck Guys!
Doug
 
I also just found antifreeze leaking and I think it coming from this area in the attached photo. I checked for loose clamps and didn't see any antifreeze leaking at the clamps.

Can someone tell me what this item is and is it possible for antifreeze to leak from this part?
 

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I also just found antifreeze leaking and I think it coming from this area in the attached photo. I checked for loose clamps and didn't see any antifreeze leaking at the clamps.

Can someone tell me what this item is and is it possible for antifreeze to leak from this part?

See my post #9, I had anti-freeze on the oil pressure switch also. I was not able to see the leak at the hose until I took the photo.
 
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