looking into my coolant over flow tank the other day i noticed what looks to be small shavings of Aluminum. It almost looks as someone dumped a bottle of radiator stop leak in the bike but i know it never has had any in it. I talked to the previous owner (autotech) to confirm this. I pulled the water pump cover off to inspect it for scoring and also checked the impeller for play in and out. Nothing on either. Anybody have an idea where this might have come from? Thanks in advance
merckid

 

have you taken the clutch cover off,it could be behind the impeller where the seals sit and such.

 

Coolant flow into and out of the coolant tank is through the bottom of the tank. I can't understand how bits of metal which are heavier than water can flow up and into the coolant tank. The only flow that should be occuring is the result of coolant in the radiators and motor expanding when hot and contracting when cool. If there's no weeping from the water pump seal and the cooling system seems to be working properly, all I'd do, if I were keen, would be remove the fairing, drain the coolant tank, look for metal bits when the lower coolant hose is removed, reassemble and put in fresh coolant.

 

Two ways I can think of..., and I have seen both..

If the water pump seal was replaced, installer may not have gotten the impeller depth correct, and impeller rubbed on pump cover... happens a lot,, as the depth setting is very precise.

Water pump bearings bad, impeller rubbing case or cover.

 

marquez, The water pump has never been replaced, the water pump cover had no damage to the inside, that is the first thing i checked. i also checked play in the impeller it self. No in and out movement, no front to back and no up and down movement. the only movement it had was rotation movement back and for which i contributed to a small amount of play in the chain behind the cover.

 

I suspect manufacturing defect. I got a pristine 2002 all stock with 4000 miles on the clock and original coolant. When I went to change the coolant on principle I found mine also was completely contaminated with tiny flecks of aluminum.

 

At the very least I hope you changed out the coolant. Then you can watch for it to resurface.

 

i flushed and replaced with distilled water and water wetter. Not to sure how i like that mix yet...

 

+1 on the distilled water flush, but I used Honda A/F 50/50 premix. So far no recurrence of contamination.

 

Water Wetter and water will work fine, as long as temps are above freezing.

 

Just checked my coolant overflow and it has a crap ton of aluminum flake in it. Same boat.. Never had water pump issues or overheating issues. Going to flush system out tomorrow. Distilled and water wetter works well for everyone here? I dont ride in cold weather.

 

Just so it's never exposed to freezing temps in storage.