Water pump AK550

[leomagnus]

Any of you guys with an AK550 have a water pump issue? I just brought my bike in for yearly maintenance and the mechanic told me that i had a water pump leak. Seems strange for a bike with only 5000 miles after 2 years of riding...also my damn battery started going dead, which had a bad cell. I had it on a battery tender when I wasn't riding the bike. Too much darn tech on these bikes...

Dean

[Neil955i]

“ Too much darn tech on these bikes... ”

That seems to be the way all manufacturers are going sadly. Call me a Luddite, but I preferred bikes that you could easily work on when they went wrong. When these hi-tech machines work they’re excellent; but when they go wrong they’re a nightmare.

[Ruffus]

@leomagnus,
to say it short and cort, yes, this is possible at any scooter with an extern waterpump.

Check at this telltale hole under your pump whether it's really leaking coolant or just water condensate.
Clean paper under it overnight and you will see a coloration either greenish or reddish.
There is a repair set available with all parts neccessary, inexpensive, around €40,- + one hour work appr.
Batteries die, especially Bb ones, better to change to LiFePo4.
EDIT:
The way I do this coolant pump repair...
-LAY the scoot gently completely on its left side down, putting an old foam mattress and some cardboard boxes underneath to aboid bumps and scratches
-sit on a low chair aside the scoot
-don't let the owner watch me
-avoid spilling/change of fluids (oil/ coolant) and saves the owner costs for this and me the trouble to get all the air out of the system and causing overheat problems
-job is done in about thirty minutes.

Pls see link too..
https://www.kymcoforum.com/index.php?topic=33849.0

[rjs987]

I hope your mechanic doesn't mistake a true water pump leak with a few drops of coolant under the water pump every once in a while. There are 2 seals between the water pump and the alternator and there is a weep hole under the water pump between the seals. This is to prevent any seepage past the first seal from getting into the alternator which is dry. Any seepage should exit through the weep hole. THIS IS TOTALLY NORMAL and that is the design of the 2 seals and a weep hole between them. If there is a leak it will show as a constant or regular drip under the weep hole or even seeping around the water pump housing or the plumbing going into/out of the water pump. If it is a drop under the bike and then nothing for a while (weeks, months, etc), then maybe another drop some time later and then nothing for a while, then I don't think the water pump is "leaking" but maybe the seal is not as tight against the water pump shaft as it *could* be.

I had a quarter sized drop under my AK after a long ride and then being parked overnight. This happened in the fall of 2022 (I think). It happened again in the late spring of 2023... a quarter sized drop of coolant. It hasn't happened again since. The first time was with just over 7000 miles on my AK, the second time was with over 8000 miles. Now I have over 12600 miles and no more drips since those 2 times. In my case, this was totally nothing to be concerned about. More likely part of the final stages of break-in. I was surprised I didn't see anything earlier but with nothing since I'm totally not concerned.

There was a report I read from someone who had a few drips like that and did have their shop replace the seals. If it is still under warranty then you should be able to have that done under warranty.


As to the battery...
Not really surprised. I've always known that the factory supplied battery in any bike I've owned from new is not nearly as reliable and any aftermarket battery... even if the same brand and model number! Just like the printer ink in a new Deskjet printer lasts a fraction as long as any you would buy to replace it. I've also known brand new high quality batteries to be found to have a dead cell or two right off the shelf, or soon after being put into service. Not common, but it does happen. Batteries are fickle things in that way.

[leomagnus]

Thanks for the insights. The water pump issue is still under warranty by 1 month....lol. I will double check with him about the seals. I did have a half-dollar sized leak on the floor when I got the bike, but it only lasted for a day. After that, I saw no more leaks.