Coolant Leak

[aMiGo81]

Anyone has insights??

 

Riding a Cbr400 and apparently, when temp is high, coolant leaks out from reserve reservoir (the place where you pour in water when you notice water is getting lesser).

 

Mech mention its leak compression and would need to dismantle the bike's header and those staff to fix the problem.

 

Cost = $500 - $700 +

 

Experts out there, please advice if cost is justifiable and is that the only solution?

 

Thanks...

[Aalex82]

Anyone has insights??

 

Riding a Cbr400 and apparently, when temp is high, coolant leaks out from reserve reservoir (the place where you pour in water when you notice water is getting lesser).

 

Mech mention its leak compression and would need to dismantle the bike's header and those staff to fix the problem.

 

Cost = $500 - $700 +

 

Experts out there, please advice if cost is justifiable and is that the only solution?

 

Thanks...

 

there are a few reasons for causing the coolant to overflow..

1st, u can try check the radiator cap instead.. faulty cap will not keep the pressure intact and cause overflow..

 

if the cap is working well after checking, then time to check the gasket..

either u will see black dirty stain around the block or when u rev the engine, u will notice the coolant level in the rad will increase instead of decrease.

 

ask the mech to breakdown the parts and workmanship price for u..

 

[kaozie]

just change your radiator cap...

[aMiGo81]

Yo aAlex82 and kaozie, thanks for input.

 

Yes, the coolant level increase instead of decrease when rev and radiator cap has been changed to a new one already yet problem still persists. Sigh....

 

But is the cost on the high side? If it is to check the gasket and wash it or do something about it that requires to dismantle headers and others?

[MiddleAgedBiker]

I don't really understand the mech's explanation of the problem. Better check around before you pay $500-700. Might just be a simple fix. Sometimes, a wrong install of radiator hoses will cause this problem on certain models. There are normally two pipes coming out of the rad, one goes to the engine, the other the coolant reservoir. Check that yours is not installed wrongly. If it is, the water pump that's supposed to be pumping coolant through the engine is pumping it to the reservoir, which will explain the leak you're seeing.

 

It's a simple check.

[kinwei]

When you say reserve reservoir, do you mean the white container? When you say leak, do you mean it leak out from the tube from the white container? Did you always top up the white container till almost full everytime you found the leak?

 

If it is, then it is normal.

[aMiGo81]

When you say reserve reservoir, do you mean the white container? When you say leak, do you mean it leak out from the tube from the white container? Did you always top up the white container till almost full everytime you found the leak?

 

If it is, then it is normal.

 

Normally it dont leak, its only now with this problem. White container is half filled. Previously i fill it up to full and it didnt spill out. Problem exist only now. sigh........

[kinwei]

If that the case, I would say check your cooling system then. It like the cooling system not working properly which cause a higher than normal pressure or heat. Which in turn cause more coolant to overflow into the bottle. Why need to check the pressure if the leak is at the white bottle overflow hose only? Normally pressure test is to determine if there is leakage at the cooling system. I would start with the simple stuff, like checking if fan is working, then maybe flush and change coolant.

[aMiGo81]

If that the case, I would say check your cooling system then. It like the cooling system not working properly which cause a higher than normal pressure or heat. Which in turn cause more coolant to overflow into the bottle. Why need to check the pressure if the leak is at the white bottle overflow hose only? Normally pressure test is to determine if there is leakage at the cooling system. I would start with the simple stuff, like checking if fan is working, then maybe flush and change coolant.

 

If Fan not working, will it affect the coolant leakage?

 

Anyway coolant has been flushed already. Sighhhhhh

[kinwei]

If Fan not working, will it affect the coolant leakage?

 

Anyway coolant has been flushed already. Sighhhhhh

 

By right, the fan will auto on when it hit a certain temperature. If it is not working, the tempertaure will keep on rising which cause a higher pressure and thus pushing the coolant into the white container/reservoir. Worst case leak from the radiator cap. Another concern maybe is a spoilt thermostat.

 

Anyway we are only guessing the problem here. The best is to bring down to a trusted shop to diagnose without a carrot price. Usually I will recommend Bikeworkz at Shunli industrial park at Kaki Bukit. Their price is reasonable. Their number 67476774. Look for Ah Beng aka the boss. Almost 100% is he answering the phone. End of the day, they will ask you down for troubleshooting.

Edited April 18, 2011 by kinwei

[aMiGo81]

By right, the fan will auto on when it hit a certain temperature. If it is not working, the tempertaure will keep on rising which cause a higher pressure and thus pushing the coolant into the white container/reservoir. Worst case leak from the radiator cap. Another concern maybe is a spoilt thermostat.

 

Anyway we are only guessing the problem here. The best is to bring down to a trusted shop to diagnose without a carrot price. Usually I will recommend Bikeworkz at Shunli industrial park at Kaki Bukit. Their price is reasonable. Their number 67476774. Look for Ah Beng aka the boss. Almost 100% is he answering the phone. End of the day, they will ask you down for troubleshooting.

 

dude, thanks for the recommendation.

[danielsin2]

Anyway we are only guessing the problem here. The best is to bring down to a trusted shop to diagnose without a carrot price. Usually I will recommend Bikeworkz at Shunli industrial park at Kaki Bukit. Their price is reasonable. Their number 67476774. Look for Ah Beng aka the boss. Almost 100% is he answering the phone. End of the day, they will ask you down for troubleshooting.

 

I was about to say this too.

[aMiGo81]

I was about to say this too.

 

Actually i have already let one mech take a look and he mention leak compression and hence need to dismantle headers and some stuff. But cost is $500 - $700, justified??

[kinwei]

Actually i have already let one mech take a look and he mention leak compression and hence need to dismantle headers and some stuff. But cost is $500 - $700, justified??

 

It sound way too steep. If the bike can be ridden, I suggest you go to another shop for 2nd opinion.

[rabbit1587]

try change a higher pressure radiator cap 1.3bar at around 50buck..... i have the same problem once can radiator cap problem solve due to cap spring too soft...

[Raptor]

Head gasket leaking. Your mech is correct to say that it will require the cylinder head gasket to be replaced which means removing the headers and cylinder head.

 

When the engine is running.. combustion gases are seeping past the head gasket and entering the water jacket of the cooling system. The gases will take space in the cooling system and push all the excess fluid back to your coolant reservoir.

 

Quick check to verify this is.. open the radiator cap when the bike is cool after a ride. If the coolant level in the radiator is not full, you definitely have a compression leak in the cylinder head.

[aMiGo81]

Head gasket leaking. Your mech is correct to say that it will require the cylinder head gasket to be replaced which means removing the headers and cylinder head.

 

When the engine is running.. combustion gases are seeping past the head gasket and entering the water jacket of the cooling system. The gases will take space in the cooling system and push all the excess fluid back to your coolant reservoir.

 

Quick check to verify this is.. open the radiator cap when the bike is cool after a ride. If the coolant level in the radiator is not full, you definitely have a compression leak in the cylinder head.

 

Didnt check on thou, but coolant seeps out when the engine is revved without radiator cap on. Mech mention coolant suppose to 'go in' instead of 'come out'.

[CMYRS]

sounds well overpriced considering its just a check.

 

and the price of a new one is 2-3x greater?

[aMiGo81]

sounds well overpriced considering its just a check.

 

and the price of a new one is 2-3x greater?

 

OH.. $500 - $700 is to rectify the problem by changing the gasket. Hows the pricing then?

[kinwei]

OH.. $500 - $700 is to rectify the problem by changing the gasket. Hows the pricing then?

 

We are just consumer, always looking out for the best deal. Any big amount of money sound expensive rite? Haha. That why it better for you to call bike shop and ask for quote. What Raptor said make sense too. Maybe you can pm him for quote.

[aMiGo81]

For benefit of others who will encounter same problem in future, head gasket changed and it is ok now. Pain to the pockets, but now ride with confidence.

 

Have a great day to all who shared. ")

[Stylo]

Change the radiator cap as the one forumer said. Cost less than $10.

Confirm is Radiator cap. Please don"t be chop by the motor shop.

Change the cap first if not solve come back post here of PM me.

Radiator cap is one way valve in(top up water when radiator water low and prevent water flow out from radiator). If the valve damage the water will flow out from the radiator.

Good luck

[Aalex82]

Change the radiator cap as the one forumer said. Cost less than $10.

Confirm is Radiator cap. Please don"t be chop by the motor shop.

Change the cap first if not solve come back post here of PM me.

Radiator cap is one way valve in(top up water when radiator water low and prevent water flow out from radiator). If the valve damage the water will flow out from the radiator.

Good luck

 

rad cap is not actually a one way valve.. cos there is diff pressure spec for rad cap..

0.9bar to 1.1bar which are common..

if the pressure build up more than the cap can withstand, the coolant will flow to the reservoir..