Leaking Antifreeze - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

diverdave · 12-04-2007, 10:32 AM

Anyone ever have a problem with antifreeze leaking after a ride? I went for a ride the other day put the bike away, no problem. Then I get home from work the next evening and I see a small puddle of antifreeze under the bike. I went for a ride about a week later and I could smell antifreeze but I didn't see anything dripping.

I checked the antifreeze level in the radiator and its fine, the bike is also not overheating or running hot.

Anyone else have this problem or give me a suggestion of where I might start to look for the problem, I haven't had time yet to really get in there and search for the leak.

Thanks, Dave

diverdave · 12-04-2007, 12:36 PM

I guess I should have mentioned that the bike is a 2003 SV1000.

**Clint** · 12-04-2007, 01:16 PM

It's not unheard of for a clamp or fitting to become loose. You'll just have to do some investigating.

On cars, water pumps are designed to leak when they fail as an alert. Does anyone know whether this is true on motorcycles?

omegajim · 12-04-2007, 01:29 PM

check the clamps first. Suzuki may have used those cheap clamps you put on with a pliers instead of the nicer kind that uses a screwdriver.

If you smell the coolant, then it's prolly leaking from the top radiator hose.

Also, depending on the number of miles driven, you may be reaching the life of the hose and may need replacement.

KD57 · 12-04-2007, 02:56 PM

Have you traced the leak to it's origin? My guess is a loose clamp or a chafed hose. Water pumps seldom fail on bikes.

diverdave · 12-04-2007, 03:09 PM

Thanks for all of the input on this already.

KD57,
No I haven't traced it back and I realize I posted this somewhat prematurely without having investigated yet. I was mainly wondering if this was a common problem with SVs but it doesn't sound like it. Hopefully its just a clamp as a few people have pointed out. It doesn't seem to be pouring out, just a small leak but I can smell antifreeze pretty strongly also.

svjoe · 12-06-2007, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diverdave

Thanks for all of the input on this already.

KD57,
No I haven't traced it back and I realize I posted this somewhat prematurely without having investigated yet. I was mainly wondering if this was a common problem with SVs but it doesn't sound like it. Hopefully its just a clamp as a few people have pointed out. It doesn't seem to be pouring out, just a small leak but I can smell antifreeze pretty strongly also.

Had the same problem with my 03. Nothing other than a loose hose clamp........

12-04-2007, 10:32 AM	#1 (permalink)
diverdave Newbie Joined: Oct 2007 Bike: 2003 SV1000 Location: Annapolis, MD Posts: 9	Leaking Antifreeze Anyone ever have a problem with antifreeze leaking after a ride? I went for a ride the other day put the bike away, no problem. Then I get home from work the next evening and I see a small puddle of antifreeze under the bike. I went for a ride about a week later and I could smell antifreeze but I didn't see anything dripping. I checked the antifreeze level in the radiator and its fine, the bike is also not overheating or running hot. Anyone else have this problem or give me a suggestion of where I might start to look for the problem, I haven't had time yet to really get in there and search for the leak. Thanks, Dave

12-04-2007, 01:29 PM	#4 (permalink)
omegajim M-J.Com Lifetime Achievement Award Joined: Jan 2007 Bike: 1980 Yamaha XS850 Location: Washington County, WI Posts: 6,539	check the clamps first. Suzuki may have used those cheap clamps you put on with a pliers instead of the nicer kind that uses a screwdriver. If you smell the coolant, then it's prolly leaking from the top radiator hose. Also, depending on the number of miles driven, you may be reaching the life of the hose and may need replacement. __________________ "FREE TIBET!"* With purchase of one Tibet of equal or greater value.

12-04-2007, 02:56 PM	#5 (permalink)
KD57 In The Zone Joined: Oct 2007 Bike: 2008 ZZR600 Location: Under a rock in Texas Posts: 2,581	Have you traced the leak to it's origin? My guess is a loose clamp or a chafed hose. Water pumps seldom fail on bikes. __________________ The "other" ZZR rider.

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12-04-2007, 12:36 PM	#2 (permalink)
diverdave Newbie Joined: Oct 2007 Bike: 2003 SV1000 Location: Annapolis, MD Posts: 9	I guess I should have mentioned that the bike is a 2003 SV1000.

12-04-2007, 03:09 PM	#6 (permalink)
diverdave Newbie Joined: Oct 2007 Bike: 2003 SV1000 Location: Annapolis, MD Posts: 9	Thanks for all of the input on this already. KD57, No I haven't traced it back and I realize I posted this somewhat prematurely without having investigated yet. I was mainly wondering if this was a common problem with SVs but it doesn't sound like it. Hopefully its just a clamp as a few people have pointed out. It doesn't seem to be pouring out, just a small leak but I can smell antifreeze pretty strongly also.

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