Hi sorry for the dumb question but im having problems with a leak
I thought i had put too much coolant in the expansion tank so i took some out checked the level in the rad then took it out for a spin. When it had cooled i went and checked the rad and the level had gone down and the expansion tank had filled up again causing it to again leak out of the overflow pipe fron the expansion tank .
This is a problem ive had for a while now and no matter how i try to sort it the more i top up my rad the more goes into the expansion after i have took the bike for a ride.
(ps after i took some out there were only a few spots on the floor) but before it was pi**ing out.
Say the radiator and cooling system has capacity for a fixed volume of coolant. When the coolant is heated to near boiling point, it expands and so there is more coolant than space available. At this point, the radiator cap opens, and the extra volume is allowed to spill out into the overflow tank.
When the coolant cools down again, it contracts in volume so creating free space again in the cooling system. The coolant which overflowed into the expansion chamber is sucked back into the main cooling system.
If I were you, first I would drain out the existing coolant from both the cooling system and the overflow tank. Then I'd fill the cooling system but DO NOT put the cap on the radiator yet! Run the engine until it's properly warmed up - if you have a temp gauge then the needle needs to be at least half-way across the gauge. Next, stop the engine and top up the cooling system and replace the radiator cap, and fill the overflow tank to halfway between the upper and lower levels.
If after doing all this I still had problems, but was absolutely sure there is no leaks from the system and the only coolant being lost is from the overflow tank relief pipe, I'd make totally sure the radiator cap neck is not twisted or buckled, and assuming thats okay I'd be replacing the radiator cap.
Hope that all makes sense?
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Byraway... if you are going to be checking levels in the radiator, make sure the engine is totally cold cos if not, you will relieve pressure when opening it and by doing so will stop any pressure return from the overflow to the cooling system which takes place as the engine is cooling. This return is not an instant process.
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Hi Malc Thanks for your post and yes i totally understand I did drain the system and refil it but i put the rad cap on straight away then ran the bike until it warmed up again, and i have been checking the levels when the system has been warm so yes i have been releasing the pressure. There is no damage to the top of radiator and it is without a doubt coming from the overflow pipe on the expansion tank as ive seen it and when i rest the bike on its stand there is more coming out as the coolant level is closer to the overflow pipe due to the angle.
So shall i drain it again and start from scratch?
Thanks again Mark
-- Edited by mark2010 on Thursday 2nd of July 2009 07:01:38 PM
-- Edited by mark2010 on Thursday 2nd of July 2009 07:02:35 PM
The only reason I suggest draining it and starting again is cos invariably when topping up people use water on its own, and it doesn't take long before it gets diluted past the little-to-no-protection point, hence start again fresh.
The Silk Pro Cool is a premixed ready to go coolant so if you've been adding that, then don't bother draining it first.
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One last thing - once your cooling system is all bled through and everything is fine, don't be alarmed at the coolant level being below the neck of the rad filling neck. You probably know this bit already, but it's normal for there to be a bit of an air-gap in the system, and as just below the filler neck is the highest point in the cooling system, it'll come as no surprise just below the filler neck is where the air-gap is to be found! :)
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Hi Took it to work today and just before i was due to come home i checked the rad and the expansion tank and about 3/4 of a pint has come out the rad and has gone into the expansion tank and it has just stayed there and has not gone back in the system any ideas what could be the problem
It seems as though your cooling system is not pressurising properly - the only real way to check this would be get a bike shop to test the pressure. If you are sure there are no leaks in the system which are leaving visible signs, its possible the head gasket is at fault.
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Ok thanks for the reply............ today when i went to work i checked the expansion tank and i noticed the coolant has been forced out of the cap on top of the expansion tank it doesnt have the correct cap on would that cause a problem? thanks mark
The cap not being a good fit wouldn't have any adverse effect, no. On my VFR race bike, expansion tank is nothing more than a plastic bottle cable-tied to the side of the radiator. The overflow pipe from the top of the rad goes into this bottle, and a second hole is drilled in the cap to let the bottle breathe. In theory, the overflow doesn't need a cap to function properly if the rest of the system is good and there is coolant at the overflow hose.
Hate to say it, but its pointing more and more towards a gasket at fault mate... :(
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y dont you just leave it as it its now with its not overheating i dont get it , it will overflow if u fill the rad up and the overflow bottle when the coolant gets hot it gets expands hense it overflowing, when it cools down it wil lower the level in the bottle and thats fine, its not overheating is it?
no its not overheating the temp gauge isnt even going to the half way mark its just frustrating...i havent been topping up the rad with more coolant ive been taking it out of the expansion tank and putting it back into the rad............
To flake mon when its cooled down its staying in the expansion tank and its not going back in the system
....the reason i was asking about the cap is that its not the original and it was put on by someone when the original was lost its a tight fit but has no breathe hole ?? and i was just wondering if it needed one as tonight coolant had been forced out of the cap on the expansion tank after i had rode it home
Thanks Mark
-- Edited by mark2010 on Tuesday 7th of July 2009 07:45:52 PM
-- Edited by mark2010 on Tuesday 7th of July 2009 07:48:00 PM
