Hello,

Okay took my bike (1998 SH w/ 15,400 mi) out for a short ride to visit the folks, then a quick stop to fill the tank with fuel and add stabilizer for a long northeast Ohio winter. Got to my driveway, opened the garage door pulled into the garage and noticed the radiator fans were on. Hmmm I thought why are the fans running - its not even hot out??

Turned the engine off, but kept the fans running until they shut off automatically while removing my helmet and upon doing so looked at the ground to see a very large puddle of coolant under my bike followed by a trail in my driveway from where I opened the front gate.

The only thing I can think of is I didnt "burp" (forgot to check) the radiators when I did my manual CCT swap about 150 mi ago. However, when I complete the CCT swap, I filled the radiators to the brim, let her run, refilled them when the thermostat open and all has been well since. Also, I've ridden the bike in 90 degree weather since the CCT swap and she has never puked any kind of fluid whatsoever. It was actually running out of the hoses under the engine. Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thermostat?

 

That is my initial thought but I'll wait to see what kind of other replies get posted. If so, I'm greatful I got to ride the whole season and this happened on the very last day of my riding season.

 

Radiator Cap

 

Approx 9 times out of 9 its the radiator cap. You can search on here since they sell the same one for cars. If you cant find the crossover list let me know I have it somewhere.

Without pressure the system will boil fevereshly. A worn or not properly installed-ahem-cap will let it boil.

 

I cant tear it down tonight, but I did go out and reach through the fairing and placed my hand on the radiator cap. Its tight and I felt no liquid around it at all. Hmmm....

 

Will do and I'll update this post later in the week. Thank you !!

 

I would say the rad cap as well..... just based on my own similar experience. And the rad cap can be tightened by King Kong but it's still no match for liquid under heated pressure if the cap spring is shot. Good luck!

 

Update: There are 2 "stealerships" local to me. One wants $46.99 and the other wants $37.99 for the radiator cap. Wanting to make sure they're not talking radiator and cap I confirm its just the cap. Its is just the cap. Apparently Gozilla is going to personally deliver the cap from Japan to Ohio to me over night and perhaps this is the reason for the extortion of funds for a itty bitty radiator cap??

I checked ebay and found at least 5 used ones all asking about $6 including free shipping. I'm thinking I could buy 3 used caps (figuring one is complete junk and 2 will be usable for a while) for less than $20 and have at least 1 in my parts bin as a spare.

I'll probably go the ebay route....

 

I have been using a Stant #10233 available at Advance for about $7.50. It has the same specs.

 

+1 just buy an auto parts store one

 

That is what I have on mine.

 

+1 i got the same one.

 

Sweet - Advanced Auto Parts it is. Thanks everyone!