Question: Coolant leak

Suzi41 wrote:

> I walked by my SV yesterday in my garage and noticed a small puddle of
> coolant on the floor. I've seen this before in my shed when its been
> sitting for a long period of time. Yet, when I run it I do not see any
> leaks anywhere and the bike doesn't overheat. I do smell a little
> anti-freeze smell for a short period of time but it dissipates. Has anyone
> experienced this with their bikes?
>

If the leak is in the radiator you can acid strip the paint. Acid & other
supplies bought at a welding store for AL. Then use either low temp
Aluminum solder/flux=(common propane or map gas torch) or
braze=(oxyacetylene torch) to fix the leak. But of course remove, drain and
flush the radiator 1st and don't over heat it or you'll end up buying a new
radiator. If it's the water pump leaking as Kurt suggested, follow his
advise. Also check the tightness of the hose clamps and or holes/cracks in
the rubber hoses 1st.

--
Bob Nixon, RZ-350, Chandler, AZ.
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_Bob_Nixon_ wrote:

> Suzi41 wrote:
>
>> I walked by my SV yesterday in my garage and noticed a small puddle of
>> coolant on the floor. I've seen this before in my shed when its been
>> sitting for a long period of time. Yet, when I run it I do not see any
>> leaks anywhere and the bike doesn't overheat. I do smell a little
>> anti-freeze smell for a short period of time but it dissipates. Has
>> anyone experienced this with their bikes?
>>
>
> If the leak is in the radiator you can acid strip the paint. Acid & other
> supplies bought at a welding store for AL. Then use either low temp
> Aluminum solder/flux=(common propane or map gas torch) or
> braze=(oxyacetylene torch) to fix the leak. But of course remove, drain
> and flush the radiator 1st and don't over heat it or you'll end up buying
> a new radiator. If it's the water pump leaking as Kurt suggested, follow
> his advise. Also check the tightness of the hose clamps and or
> holes/cracks in the rubber hoses 1st.
>


I tried welding/brazing & solding some 1/16" Aluminum today to simulate
welding a radiator and found that even a simple propane torch used with
Stickwelder white (antiborax) coating Al rod can easily do the job without
burn through. I used a wide heating type tip but one of those pencil flame
benzomatic torches should have a bit more heat control to narrow the width
of the weld. The rods are cheap and home Depot may carry them but I buy
them at a welding supply store. An alternative would be to use thin 1/16
Aluminum rod with standard bronze type brazing flux (antiborax in a can).

For brazing you don't need flux, just the "proper rods" and for low temp AL
solder comes with a liquid flux.

--
Bob Nixon, RZ-350, SV-650, Chandler, AZ.
 >> Stay informed about: Question: Coolant leak 

>>> I walked by my SV yesterday in my garage and noticed a small puddle of
>>> coolant on the floor. I've seen this before in my shed when its been
>>> sitting for a long period of time. Yet, when I run it I do not see any
>>> leaks anywhere and the bike doesn't overheat. I do smell a little
>>> anti-freeze smell for a short period of time but it dissipates. Has
>>> anyone experienced this with their bikes?
>>>
>> If the leak is in the radiator you can acid strip the paint. Acid & other
>> supplies bought at a welding store for AL. Then use either low temp
>> Aluminum solder/flux=(common propane or map gas torch) or
>> braze=(oxyacetylene torch) to fix the leak. But of course remove, drain
>> and flush the radiator 1st and don't over heat it or you'll end up buying
>> a new radiator. If it's the water pump leaking as Kurt suggested, follow
>> his advise. Also check the tightness of the hose clamps and or
>> holes/cracks in the rubber hoses 1st.
>
> I tried welding/brazing & solding some 1/16" Aluminum today to simulate
> welding a radiator and found that even a simple propane torch used with
> Stickwelder white (antiborax) coating Al rod can easily do the job without
> burn through. I used a wide heating type tip but one of those pencil flame
> benzomatic torches should have a bit more heat control to narrow the width
> of the weld. The rods are cheap and home Depot may carry them but I buy
> them at a welding supply store. An alternative would be to use thin 1/16
> Aluminum rod with standard bronze type brazing flux (antiborax in a can).
>
> For brazing you don't need flux, just the "proper rods" and for low temp
> AL
> solder comes with a liquid flux.

Thanks for the post Bob, but I'm not going to be welding/soldering anything.
While I am mechanically inclined I'm not willing. I'll take it to my shop
( I have a trusted shop to do my work) and let them handle it. I just wanted
some ideas as to what to look for.

BTW, how's leg?
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