19superchicken98

So some times when I ride and its hot out (florida) my bike likes to burp out some coolent (on the left side) it looks like its coming from the bottle but its so hard to tell since everything is so compact. I tried to take the bottle out to look at it but it didn't want to budge. Come off from the top? Also I checked the hoses, all seemed well. Could have just been over flow?
I check the RAD's and there clean and full so I have no idea... also might I add it has only done this twice in the last month.

davidjohn999

Replace the radiator cap. About $10.

matt365

Rad cap is on the right side.


Squeeze the hoses, check the clamps. Dough to diagnose over the internet. I'd take the left side fairings off, clean it, and see if any of the hoses are cracked or loose. Might not leak when its cold.

scottiemann

I wouldn't suspect overflow as there is a hose going to the bottom of the engine and if the bottle was cracked it would most likely leak more when cold then hot (thermal expansion)... I had a problem with the short 2" hose going to the thermostat pissing fluid I'd check there as well...

19superchicken98

Should I take my gas tank off to get a good view in there? It's pretty cramped in there lol

comedo

Taking off the gas tank won't help much. The air cleaner box and carburettors will obscure your view and access to the coolant overflow tank.
In any case, it's a time consuming project to remove the coolant overflow tank. Sometimes they develop a crack but it doesn't happen often.
I'd take off the chin fairing and check the coolant overflow tube. Pages 1-22 and 1-23 in the Service Manual will help you identify the tube. There may be some residual coolant in the overflow tube. If so, like davidjohn999, I'd suspect the radiator cap.
The cap can't be replaced without moving the fairing. I'd take off the fairing, look for signs of coolant leakage, tighten the hose clamps that are accessible, wash the area, let it dry and try to induce a coolant leak by putting the bike on a rear stand and running it until it's really hot.

E.Marquez

I just fixed a left side coolant leak last night. Short hose from motor to T stat housing.


#11

the hose was soft and leaking where it attached to the T stat housing.

Just a few drops when hot and under pressure...... Only noticed it from the smell, and a few drops on the garage floor after a ride.

19superchicken98

Oh yeah I forgot to add it only comes out when I shut the bike off, if that helps. I'm hoping to check it out when I get home. Also has not done it recently..

Jack Flash

Does the bike run hotter then usual ? Does the fan go on as you're riding, or just when stopped at a red light ? How long after you have shut the bike
off does it seem to begin to leak ? I suspect faulty Tstat, and as Marquez said, look in that area. No use removing everything.

19superchicken98

Nope it stays either below or at half way, and the fan is usually when stopped I've never heard or seen the fan on while riding. also almost immeditly after shutting the bike off maybe 5 -10 seconds but it has only done it twice that I have noticed.

Northman69

I had a similar problem... my new hawk only has 3k miles but being an 02 I changed the coolant... I removed the right side of the long middle hose to drain the coolant... the hose looked perfect no dry rot or anything but after putting the hose back on it leaked just a little drop after after it got hot.. I just used a wider clamp and it fixed my problem... I did however order a replacement hose from honda just in case

Toaliosis

So I need some Superhawk expert opinions, I've been experiencing a intermittent coolant leak on my bike on the riders left side. I haven't ridden the bike in about a month and finally have had some time to tear her apart. I'm hoping that it is just a hose and not a head gasket. Oil and coolant both look normal, so I hope to rule out the head gasket.

The picture below is of hose #12 off the rear cylinder to the thermostat.



This is looking from riders right side at the same hose, it appears to be a bit wet on the outside of it:



Here is looking down the top of the rear cylinder, showing where the coolant has left stains on the engine:





So do yinz think it is just that hose #12?

Thanks in advance

CrankenFine

I read here somewhere a suggestion to spray foot powder from an aerosol dispenser on suspected leaks. Never tried it myself but suppsedly it will confirm a leak and leave visual evidence once wet with oil or antifreeze.

But YMMV!

Toaliosis

I read that too, but I am not going to clean engine, put baby powder on it, then put it all back together, ride it, take it back apart to find the leak. I purposely didn't wash the bike after the last ride when it leaked b/c I knew the coolant would stain where it was coming from.

What does YMMV mean?

Just noticed you are in Pittsburgh too... what part of town do you reside?

CruxGNZ

YMMV means, Your Motorcycle May Vary.

You want us to look at a wet hose and tell you it's that hose? I think you figured it out already.
Replace the hose and clean the surface where the hose slides onto. There is possibly corrosion under the hose which possibly made it leak.

Toaliosis

Thanks for the definition.

Just looking for another set of eyes and pulling on the experience of all the others on the forum before I order parts. Good note on the possibility of corrosion. I'll pull the hose tomorrow to investigate it. Thank you.

CrankenFine

North Hills.

Toaliosis

I grew up in the "north hills" and my g/f is from there. Currently living up on Mt Washington. Went on a nice ride on Sunday down to The Golden Palace in WV. Hoping that won't be the last ride of the year. Do you get out often?

I checked the hose piece off the engine, no signs of corrosion. Ordering parts now.

Thanks everyone.

CrankenFine

Rode to work this morning. Froze my @*s off, but the ride home was good.

Evil_Twin

I had a similar problem with mine. I figured out that the seal where the hose fitting mated with the engine had dry rotted.

IMAG1234_zps6ce515e8.jpg Photo by toaliosis | Photobucket

the fitting shown here has a small o ring underneath that might need to be replaced.

sjscicluna

i had same issue was my Radiator cap

Evil_Twin

the radiator cap is on the right side of the bike though.