Waterpump small leakage

[grouchysmurf]

My waterpump stopped leaking gently,
it pisses coolingfluid now... 

Oh sorry to hear that!  At least it is easy to get at.

[guile]

Well, you have to buy a repair kit, take off the exhaust, do the repair, then take of the front chassis and change the cooling fluid. I'ts about a half day's work for a DIY.
I hope the engine didin't overheat...

I'm not pleased with this at all. Water and oil is the basis of any combustion engine and it should be engineered to be flawless. Of course any engine needs regular maintenance but lubrification and cooling need to be solid and should not break down this way after 10.000 miles.

[jan.strydom]

  agree!!

[guile]

The whole procedure took me 7 hours:
Exhaust, changing all the pieces in the waterpump, front chassis, new coolant
and putting it all back together again 

Will test-ride it this weekend.

[Hoolander2]

I hope all is well now.  Hope you used antifreeze with no silicates!  When I replaced my water pump I probably spent at least as much time as you and perhaps more. 

When I was putting the new coolant in I spent a great amount of time flushing the old coolant out first.  I would fill the system with distilled water, then run engine up to operating temp -- shut off and drain.  I did this over and over -- at least 5 times because I wanted to get all the old coolant out for sure!  I even took off some of the cooling hoses under the engine and drained there. 

Finally, when putting the new coolant in I would fill, then run engine and watch the fluid level in the radiator go down as the thermostat opened and would slowly pour more coolant in.  Then let engine cool and go through the procedure again -- several times.  This was to get all the air out of the system.  I've been free of any problems ever since. 

Just one thing, though.  My new water pump curiously leaked for about the first 20 miles.  After a few warm-up/cool-down cycles it stopped leaking and has been fine ever since. 

Hope this helps. 

[Urbestfriend]

You Know....Mine leaked once,  about a teaspoonful.  I just tightened
the hose clamps and haven't had any more issues.   Yes these bikes
do well.  But when  you're always running close to the redline, it's sure to be
harder on a smaller engine  rather than an automobile engine.

[axy]

But when  you're always running close to the redline, it's sure to be
harder on a smaller engine  rather than an automobile engine.

No proof for this statement, just subjective opinion.

[jan.strydom]

No proof for this statement, just subjective opinion.

\
not me I am a pretty soft rider - fast but never crazy....................

[guile]

Damn... Did the repair but it still leaks 

Suggestions anyone (comforting hugs also welcome)

[Hoolander2]

Take some comfort in the fact that the same thing happened with mine, though if you read my post you see it stopped leaking after a short time and has been good for thousands of miles since.

[guile]

Thanks Hoolander. Let's hope for that. I can't wait too long however. Couldn't risk having any liquid flowing in the engine....
I'll keep you posted.

[Hoolander2]

There's not much chance liquid would get in the engine.  The seal that keeps it out is a different one than the ones that keep the pump from leaking.  Besides, as you prob already know, the pump is designed to leak to the outside if at all. 

[guile]

Thanks Hoolander. Should I have put grease on the seal(s) you think?

[Hoolander2]

That I don't know.  Sorry not a true expert here.    I purchased a whole new pump so didn't have to mess around with the seals.  I did put some assembly lube on the oil seal when installing the pump.  But as long as no oil is coming out you're ok. 

[guile]

Where did you buy the pump if I may ask?