Coolant Leak
- Thread starter Reed7742
- Start date
monkeynuts
fast rider
That hose has swelled up a lot, dose it go back down when the bike is cool and is the radiator full when it has cooled down ?
looks like it is under high pressure, if the head gasket isn’t passing, the radiator cap may not be releasing the pressure when the engine is hot.
looks like it is under high pressure, if the head gasket isn’t passing, the radiator cap may not be releasing the pressure when the engine is hot.
Roughly 2,5 hours after the ride the hoses were still swollen. I opened the radiator cap with heard a hissing sound and the hoses swelled off.
I can see the coolant level inside the radiator but it's not full. The coolant level inside the reservoir went from max to below min. This was the full power ride with a new radiator cap.
I can see the coolant level inside the radiator but it's not full. The coolant level inside the reservoir went from max to below min. This was the full power ride with a new radiator cap.
monkeynuts
fast rider
I start buy filling the radiator and ensuring it’s done the correct way to ensure that all the air is out of the system, make sure the reservoir is filled between the minimum and maximum levels. take for another run and see if the same happens.
Another one that can sometimes be seen, is with the radiator full, cap off, when the bike is revved, if the head gasket is blowing, the water can blow out !
Another one that can sometimes be seen, is with the radiator full, cap off, when the bike is revved, if the head gasket is blowing, the water can blow out !
monkeynuts
fast rider
was hoping it wasn’t going to be the head gasket
Update so far...
I ordered a new head gasket, valve cover gasket, cylinder gasket (just in case) and cylinder bolts. Because of the frame of the Vitpilen you have to take the engine of the frame to access the cylinder head. I get stuck at the swingarm bolt because there you need a special tool (75029034000) which I reordered.
On the way to dismount the engine I found two surprises. Some cables are chafed and the mid silencer/catalyst shows a cracked weld seam.
I ordered a new head gasket, valve cover gasket, cylinder gasket (just in case) and cylinder bolts. Because of the frame of the Vitpilen you have to take the engine of the frame to access the cylinder head. I get stuck at the swingarm bolt because there you need a special tool (75029034000) which I reordered.
On the way to dismount the engine I found two surprises. Some cables are chafed and the mid silencer/catalyst shows a cracked weld seam.
The special tool arrived so It could go further.
Unfortunately I look for my first time in detail for a broken head gasket. Does anybody of you have a special eye for this and can say that is clearly the cause of the pressure in the cooling system?
For me it looks quite wet on the piston.
Unfortunately I look for my first time in detail for a broken head gasket. Does anybody of you have a special eye for this and can say that is clearly the cause of the pressure in the cooling system?
For me it looks quite wet on the piston.
monkeynuts
fast rider
Had the head gasket go on my wr250x, couldn’t see any visible signs where it was leaking. Cleaned the head in a flat surface with some fine wet & dry, double checked that there wasn’t any cracks in the cylinder to water jacket, checked the valves while the head was off and all back together. Been fine since then.
just clean and check for the obvious and put it back together.
just clean and check for the obvious and put it back together.
monkeynuts
fast rider
You also have to remember that you only need the tiniest of holes or crackers in the gasket for the gasses to pass with the high pressures in the cylinder.
BISavage
champion rider
Need to agree, when there is no visible damage - personally i'd put it back together with the new gasket and give it a go.
svartron
fast rider
Please check head and cylinder with a straightedge before assembling!
BISavage
champion rider
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Time for an update.
Everything is back together an my Vitpilen is running fine again, finally. I measured the head and the cylinder to be not warped. Long story short --> That resulted in some cleaning and installing new head and bottom gaskets, new cylinder bolts and piston rings, fresh oil and coolant.
Since then I rode ~500 km without any leakage or other problems.
I could believe it has more power and bangs. Maybe thats only because I couldn't ride a long time.
I still think about some feelable scratches on the piston skirt.
The wearing inside the cylinder was only visible and one inlet valve is on the lower spec.
Everything is back together an my Vitpilen is running fine again, finally. I measured the head and the cylinder to be not warped. Long story short --> That resulted in some cleaning and installing new head and bottom gaskets, new cylinder bolts and piston rings, fresh oil and coolant.
Since then I rode ~500 km without any leakage or other problems.
I could believe it has more power and bangs. Maybe thats only because I couldn't ride a long time.
I still think about some feelable scratches on the piston skirt.
The wearing inside the cylinder was only visible and one inlet valve is on the lower spec.
svartron
fast rider
I wouldn't worry much about the scratchen on the piston skirt. The damaged oil ring would be more a concern to me.
Max Kool
pro rider
Quite possibly, cold starts. (or rather, asking too much of the engine after a cold start. Pirate Racing mentioned it once).
svartron
fast rider
If I guess, slight overheating and running rich due to compression loss.
Anyway, I would take a look at the old oil filters for debris.
Isn't something missing here?
Anyway, I would take a look at the old oil filters for debris.
Isn't something missing here?
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