Hi All. My 2008 fireblade seems to be leaking what looks like coolant. this happens when i have been riding the bike then stop and shut off the power. Does anyone know how i fix this (preferably my self)!!
The only time I've had coolant leaking is when a stone went through the rad, it was quite a large-ish stone at high speed - I guess it could be a tiny stone so as not to make it obvious! Just a thought? If you have a rad guard it should rule it out? Hope it's not, rads are not cheap!
Hi Guys. thanks for the responce.. The leak seems to be coming from just above the gear leaver. have you ever had this before?
Didnt taste/ smell like fule (i had a little dabble) although i kno thats in that area. great knews if its just over flow coolant!! Is it easy to check if level is high? i can always check manual on this if no responce! Cheers guys!!!!!!
yeh def was coolant. So do u guys think this is just overflow or do u think i will need to go tighten some stuff up?
You should be able to see the level, its white plastic expansion bottle with a level marker. much over it will get blown out of the overflow
Sorry tom, one more question. Where is the coolant expansion bottle with the markers...I cant see it. I can see a bottle (near the back wheel and next to the rear break fluid one) but very hard to see. is this it??
Thats the one mate, looks a bit like a car windscreen wash bottle type thing, if you know what I mean.
Just had this problem on my 2009, coolant running out of the overflow after shut down. The reservoir has 2 lines, it should reach the upper line when hot and return to the lower line when cold this is to facilitate expansion of coolant. Overfill the reservoir and it will overflow via the said tube. - this however was not the root cause. On shutting down the bike I could clearly hear the coolant boiling, this was bubbling into the reservoir overflowing the coolant. I found out that my radiator cap was bad and not holding enough pressure. The cooling system is pressurised to increase the boiling temps of the coolant, if this is not maintaned the coolant will boil. Replaced the cap (£30 new from honda)and since had no such problems. The old cap was clearly degraded and not able to hold pressure. My advice is to ensure the levels are correct in the first instance, hot and cold. If everything is OK the coolant will find its own level and overflow if overfilled. If the levels are correct and you shut off the bike and you hear boiling there is a problem in the cooling system - the first thing I'd check is the rad cap.
As said before it's good practice to air /burp the coolant. Get an air lock and coolant may not be passed through the system efficiently. Recently replaced my coolant and it takes a few repeats of the burping process to remove all the air. Also keep your rad clean, I had a rad guard, great at keeping the stones out but also make proper cleaning and inspection difficult. Removed mine for the first time in a year only ti find ( and I kid you not) a 3 inch line, half inch think of road **** plastered across the middle of the rad - took me a day to clean it off! I keep an eye on the temps especially at the summer approaches. At working temps at full chat on the motorway mine will sit at 82C and go no lower (this shows the stats is doing its job!). Hit traffic and it will quickly rise to a max of 108C but the fans will kick in and always reduce it 103C. I prefer also not to switch off now if the temps are over 106ish. Instead I let idle until the fans have reduced the temp to 103 then switch off.
Thanks for the pointers. My 2008 'Blade has started to leak coolant now, too. I think it's probably from the overflow. Shows some drips on the floor when parked up. I'll check the pressure cap as suggested. I had the fairing off and inspected everything and couldn't see any obvious leaks. Regards. Ray.
