Coolant Overflow

[rgweist]

Fellow 919 experts...

I've got an '03 919 - I believe I"m second owner, but not sure.

I purchased the 9er in April, and almost from the start, I noticed a small issue...

almost every ride, especially any sort of spirited ride, the bike with leak a little coolant out of the overflow, I'm talking only a teaspoon or so. the drops appear right beneath the overflow tube on the side opposite the kickstand. Additionally, once the bike has cooled, overnight I'd say, the upper rad hose appears imploded, like it wanted to suck coolant back into the system, but couldn't

Initially, I just figured the shop filled the expansion tank too full, so I sorta ignored it.

I check the expansion tank occasionally, and only once did I ever add water. close to 2 cups I'd guess, possibly less.

I've replaced the rad cap with a new one just in case it was caused by a faulty cap.

the bike doesn't appear to overheat unless I'm in town, in which case the fan comes on as expected.

===

so, any experts, mechanics, or whatnot, what would you suggest as the next steps to troubleshoot? keep in mind, I've only got about 3 weeks on the road up here... then i'll have to wait till the spring to heat up the coolant enough to leak again.

[cmurphy84]

I am no expert, but I've had mine drip a little coolant on the ground before, maybe 3 or 4 drops in the garage after a hard, hot day on the road. Remember, a few drops can look like a bunch after hitting the floor. I haven't really noticed my upper hose collapsed looking, but I've also never looked.

Also, the coolant system only holds about 4 quarts of fluid so if you truly added 2 cups, then you added half a quart.

[rgweist]

Originally Posted by cmurphy84

I am no expert...
but...the coolant system only holds about 4 quarts of fluid so if you truly added 2 cups, then you added half a quart.

I'm willing to bet that even if the coolant system was 5 or 6 quarts, that if I added 2 cups, indeed I would have added half a quart

however...

more concerning to me than whether a teaspoon or a few drops was lost, it does leak a little coolant regularly, it is clearly from the overflow, and more worrisome to me is the fact the upper hose collapses on itself... as if it is trying to suck more coolant back in from the reservoir once it cools, and is unable to.

[cmurphy84]

Originally Posted by rgweist

I'm willing to bet that even if the coolant system was 5 or 6 quarts, that if I added 2 cups, indeed I would have added half a quart

however...

more concerning to me than whether a teaspoon or a few drops was lost, it does leak a little coolant regularly, it is clearly from the overflow, and more worrisome to me is the fact the upper hose collapses on itself... as if it is trying to suck more coolant back in from the reservoir once it cools, and is unable to.

I worded the half a quart thing poorly. I actually started to say that being 4 quarts, you added 1/8th of the total volume but changed it to say half a quart.

I noticed yesterday that mine leaked about 4 drops on the floor in the garage and a few drops in the bed of the truck after starting it only long enough to ride it to where I loaded it into the truck (weird electrical/firing problem). It was only in the 60s yesterday.

I would be a little concerned about the collapsed pipe, but you need to post a picture to show just how bad. If it runs cool and well, then it could be a form of normal. I guess the hose could be losing it's integrity and is ready for replacing, but

[rgweist]

cmurphy:

thanks for the reply, guess I didn't think of replacing the hose.

I was just funnin' ya about the measurements, cause that's the way I am... I'm certainly not replacing hoses before snow flies, but it'll be worth it for piece of mind over the winter, since I'm planning on painting the tank and cowl anyway.

any other ideas? things that'd need replacing, or are cheap enough to replace while its all apart?

too bad about your missfiring, hope that works out for you quickly as well.

by the way, its not that I exactly mind my bike marking its territory, its just not expected without it being a harley.