Water pump?

[04rider]

07 FJR 26k miles

Completed a 70 mile ride yesterday and noticed something smelled hot once parked. Took the seat off, some tupperware off, but no visible sign of anything burning. No recent oil change/spillage, nothing smoldering on the muffler. Followed the odor to the water pump, put a screwdriver to listen and sounds fine but don't have another FJR to compare.

No odd sounds from the bike, engine temp was normal on the ride and on the startup.

Smell was again noticeable after warming bike up in the garage. IDK why the water pump would smell hot and not create some ungodly racket from a bearing. Suggestions?

 

[El Toro Joe]

Check the coolant reservoir...it might be cracked from heat.

 

[RossKean]

Was the road wet? You get some pretty funky smells of road spooge burning off the exhaust. Very unlikely to be the water pump but you might have a coolant leak somewhere - a few drops on a hot surface can cause an odor. Lots of hoses, joins and junctures to check but I would look at the one going to the coolant pipe on top of the engine and one going to the water pump. No wet spots under the bike after parking? Is this the first ride after a long winter layoff? Could just be dust burning off.

 

[08FJR4ME]

Is it more of an electrical smell or antifreeze? I have smelled electrical burning since I owned the 08. No flames yet so I keep ignoring it.

Dave

 

[FJR Flyer]

If the pump isn't pissing coolant out of the weep hole, there's a good chance its okay.

 

[04rider]

I did run through some water/rain yesterday; coolant level was good, no leaks found when I inspected yesterday. It's been three weeks since I last rode it, otherwise I've been on the bike about once every two weeks during this mild winter.

I would guess it smelled like electrical over coolant, but my sniffer isn't that great. Odor is definitely distinctive on the right side of the bike.

 

[RossKean]

Road crap burning off the exhaust. Sorta smells like a wet dog.

 

[El Toro Joe]

Road crap burning off the exhaust. Sorta smells like a wet dog.

I think you nailed it, with the wet dog stench.

 

[04rider]

Okie doke, here's to being optimistic to wet dog smells!

 

[TownsendsFJR1300]

It wouldn't hurt to go over all the hose clamps to your coolant system. Over time, they tend to "loosen" up.

You'll likely find several needing tightening, especially with the age of the bike and all the heat cycles it's gone thru...

 

[its just rain]

Tightening the hose clamps took care of my anti-freeze smell!