coolant smell

[Rls]

I am getting a slight smell of coolant when I park the bike after having ridden it for awhile. I took the side panel off that is over the rad. cap and did not see any sign of leakage. The smell is confined to the upper part of the bike on the left side around the radiator cap. When I got the panel off the cap might have been just a hair from being fully tight as I turned it a hair to the stops. Also, I checked the overflow bottle and added some fluid to bring the level up to a mark to see if I was losing any. The cap on it might not have been snapped on right as well.

To cut to the chase. No outward sign of any leakage anywhere around any of the hoses or connections. Any suggestions as to where else to look? Planning Alaska trip in the summer and I do not want any problems.

 

[radman]

Had the same issue-recently noticed on a cold start a quick whiff of coolant odor, but never any leaks evident, or any indication of using coolant. Today, with Frank in the basement and beginning the process to do a valve adjust, I went to remove the cap to drain the system. It also wasn't quite tight-about 1/8-1/16 of a turn from tight. Since there is absolutely no indication of any other source for the odor, the cap has to be it. A little pressure spike on cold start is normal, and can cause this very phenomena.

 

[El Toro]

I think the cap's a high probability too. Your bike is pretty young for it to be a hose. I suppose a connector could be an issue, but there would be signs of leakage. Could be a pinhole leak somewhere too, but there should be signs.

I had hoped it would be the cap when I went through a similar game with my ST1100 last year. It turned out the cap was OK and there were some difficult to detect leaks at some hose connections down in the bowels of the bike. At least it wasn't the water pump. That bike was an 01 though, and it had nearly 30,000 miles on it. The coolant had been replaced a couple of times, but the hoses were original. Your bike's only an 07... a mere babe in arms.

 

[Rls]

I think the cap's a high probability too. Your bike is pretty young for it to be a hose. I suppose a connector could be an issue, but there would be signs of leakage. Could be a pinhole leak somewhere too, but there should be signs.
I had hoped it would be the cap when I went through a similar game with my ST1100 last year. It turned out the cap was OK and there were some difficult to detect leaks at some hose connections down in the bowels of the bike. At least it wasn't the water pump. That bike was an 01 though, and it had nearly 30,000 miles on it. The coolant had been replaced a couple of times, but the hoses were original. Your bike's only an 07... a mere babe in arms.

I hope it is as well. Trying to get it sorted for a alaska trip this summer. I will be taking the tank off to put the ignition relay on and I will nose around to see what I can see. No drips or anything. I hope it is the cap.

 

[JR'SFJR]

For cars, I use a Stant radiator cap and seat tester, when looking for coolant leaks. Just pump the system up to over 15 psi and look for leaks with the engine off. Works great, except there are so many different cap and seats today, requiring different adaptors. I have an old BMW radiator cap that I have drilled and tapped the center for the tester pump hose on my K bikes. I can pressurize the system, but I can't test the cap for psi.

 

[Bananas!]

For cars, I use a Stant radiator cap and seat tester, when looking for coolant leaks. Just pump the system up to over 15 psi and look for leaks with the engine off. Works great, except there are so many different cap and seats today, requiring different adaptors. I have an old BMW radiator cap that I have drilled and tapped the center for the tester pump hose on my K bikes. I can pressurize the system, but I can't test the cap for psi.

Had the same problem with my 05. After a couple weeks of smelling faint whiffs of antifreeze the bike developed a bonified leak. As it was time to do an antifreeze change along with plugs and other fluids I had a reason to get under the tank. What I found was that the O ring (on the left side tube of the coolant manifold that plugs into the head through the valve cover) was distorted. It appeared that upon original assembly that the O ring had rolled. Initually the leak was small enough that the coolant would evaporate before the well where it accumulated overflowed. As the leak got worse it began to drip on the ground. I replaced all three O rings (lubricated with silicon grease) and re-assembled. No more leak! Food for thought.

Bananas!

 

[Rls]

Thanks, will check that as well. Never get any indication of smell on the right side--just around rad cap. Hopefully it was just the cap being loose.

 

[Jon T]

Thanks, will check that as well. Never get any indication of smell on the right side--just around rad cap. Hopefully it was just the cap being loose.

Since I bought my 04 a year ago, I have smelled coolant. The coolant level did tend to go down slowly over the course of a couple of months, but I could never figure it out. I looked to your posting for help.

Just the other day, the smell was stronger, and at a stop light I had that smell and looked down and saw some steam. I thought a hose or something had sprung a leak or something, but by the time I could find a place to stop and take a look (on my way to work) I couldn't find anything obvious. I kept my eye on the temp and continued to work.

Today I took a closer look. Noticed some coolant on the exhaust pipes. After taking the plastic off for a closer look, I discovered the seal of the hose leading out of the engine block to what I guess is the water pump is leaking. Hose seems good, but need to tighten the clamp. Problem is the exhaust pipes and radiator are in the way of getting access to the hose clamp.

I'll probably live with it for the next couple of weeks until I get the bike to the shop. I've ordered a new front tire, and have a few other things on the "to do" list that need to get done. (I'm not a total luddite, but I live in a townhouse without a garage. In my situation, for anything but the most basic tasks, it's easier for me to let the others bang their knuckles.)

 

[Bionic Pelvis]

I have been having the same problem ever since I had my bike in to have the ticking fixed. (It has cost me more to repair all the damage they did to my bike than it would have cost me to just replace the valve guides myself.)

I've had the same issues: The smell of burning coolant, but only after the bike has sat for more than a few days. The smell is stronger on the left side. Sometimes faint wisps of smoke, but gone before I can trace them. Eventually I need to top off, but we're talking just a few ounces over several months time.

I replace the o-rings every time I get into the top end, and sometimes in between just for fun. I have replaced all of my coolant hoses. I even replaced the coolant pipe going into the head since the rocket scientists who did the tick work left it all mashed out of shape. The radiator itself looks fine. Even with pressure testing, I see no apparent leaks.

Still I smell coolant.

I don't really have anything great to add. I guess it's just nice to know I'm not the only one who smells.

Coolant.

 

[Rls]

I have been having the same problem ever since I had my bike in to have the ticking fixed. (It has cost me more to repair all the damage they did to my bike than it would have cost me to just replace the valve guides myself.)
I've had the same issues: The smell of burning coolant, but only after the bike has sat for more than a few days. The smell is stronger on the left side. Sometimes faint wisps of smoke, but gone before I can trace them. Eventually I need to top off, but we're talking just a few ounces over several months time.

I replace the o-rings every time I get into the top end, and sometimes in between just for fun. I have replaced all of my coolant hoses. I even replaced the coolant pipe going into the head since the rocket scientists who did the tick work left it all mashed out of shape. The radiator itself looks fine. Even with pressure testing, I see no apparent leaks.

Still I smell coolant.

I don't really have anything great to add. I guess it's just nice to know I'm not the only one who smells.

Coolant.

I am begininng to think mine was a combo of the rad cap and the cap on the over flow tank. I have been unable to ride to check this out but hopefully will soon.