radiator water

[Thepoolman]

hi
i have just been on a trip covering 1000 miles and about halfway i noticed my radiator overflow level was low
so i topped up that plus checked water level in radiator which was looking low also. then had to do again once i got home. is this normal or am i missing something? like pipe leaking or vapour escaping from something that uses the water up.

[doml]

Doesnt sound normal, what colours your oil? as Id be worried about head gasket if it was a car.

[Joesopp]

Hi Poolman
My Strada's done 48,000 miles and I've only had to top up the coolant a couple of times.
If you're topping up more frequently than normal, then the coolant's leaking out somewhere. Check all the hoses and radiator cap for leaks with the engine running (don't burn yourself!).
If the coolant's leaking into the engine, then you'd probably get a white goo inside the oil cap.

[Thepoolman]

hi thanks for help. hi joesopp no goo in oil cap and i think it could be just the cap to the radiator, as it all started when i opened it first time to be nosey and check water level,
bike is due service in 2 weeks so i will ask them to check all hoses. as i have just remembered that it once steamed from radiator cap so could be old rubber seal.
thanks for both for help i'll keep you updated

[Frodo]

My bike's done 86,000km and doesn't lose any water between changes (every two years). Shouldn't be difficult finding the leak given the colour of the antifreeze in the coolant. Most likely through a crack in the radiator or a hose.

[doml]

Glad it doesnt sound too serious

[ytc1]

hi
i have just been on a trip covering 1000 miles and about halfway i noticed my radiator overflow level was low
so i topped up that plus checked water level in radiator which was looking low also. then had to do again once i got home. is this normal or am i missing something? like pipe leaking or vapour escaping from something that uses the water up.

Check around the pipe that goes to the pump, you may feel a slight dampness there (except when it is hot it will have evaporated). If it is damp, then there may be a slight seepage. Just get a tie clip and pull it as tight as possible between the "proper" clip and the base.

It works a treat.

I'll dig out a picture for you.

[klpegaso]

Hi everyone

Coolent is leaking from the radiator cap. Made a new rubber seal from old motorcycle tube. The leak stopped.

Is this Ok? Will this affect the efficiency of the cooling system?

Your views highly appreciated.

KlPegaso
Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia

[Joesopp]

Is this Ok? Will this affect the efficiency of the cooling system?

Yes, this is Ok! Without a leak, the cooling system will work much more efficiently

[klpegaso]

Thanks Joe.....

[Thepoolman]

Check around the pipe that goes to the pump, you may feel a slight dampness there (except when it is hot it will have evaporated). If it is damp, then there may be a slight seepage. Just get a tie clip and pull it as tight as possible between the "proper" clip and the base.

It works a treat.

I'll dig out a picture for you.

thanks i look forward to seeing a pic.

[Thepoolman]

hi guys just had bike pass MOT last weekend had its 12500 mile service this weekend and i may need a Radiator i found a company called Aprilia Parts has anyone used this company before? if so what was there service like. Plus could i as a novice replace this myself. though i am happy let the pros fit it

[Frodo]

Its possible that the radiator is leaking where the fan is fitted. I would try to repair it, rather than buy new.
I don't think it would be difficult to remove but I haven't done it myself.

[ytc1]

hi guys just had bike pass MOT last weekend had its 12500 mile service this weekend and i may need a Radiator i found a company called Aprilia Parts has anyone used this company before? if so what was there service like. Plus could i as a novice replace this myself. though i am happy let the pros fit it

Do you mean :-
Aprilia Geninue Parts - http://www.apriliagenuineparts.co.uk/
Aprilia Part Online - http://www.apriliapartsonline.co.uk/
or
Aprilia Parts Buyer - http://www.apriliapartsbuyer.co.uk/

As a google search for Aprilia Parts hits these 3 (and more)

I use the Blackburn based Rocket Motors site - http://www.apriliapartsbuyer.co.uk/ Service is fine, you just have to wait the standard 10-14 days for anything Aprilia to appear.

When the securing lug broke on mine, I asked a rad repair specialist to have a go, but they were unable to fix it due to the delicate nature of the fins. So I bought a new one.

Fitting is easy, there are a couple of pictures of access to the rad on my blog http://blog.maui.co.uk/index.php/ytc...-while-waiting , I had to drop it while doing the valve clearances.

[ytc1]

Are you suggesting a rad seal fluid addition repair ? Or a slap some sticky gunky stuff on the outside type repair ?