Pappa Bear Posted January 17, 2009 Share #1 Posted January 17, 2009 So cold here that I think my garage door is swearing at me in the morning! I've had this issue with the coolant leak on my 89 VR and it leaked again:bang head:, this time I found 2 leak points first 1 was at the drain and the other is at the base of the plastic elbow going into water pump. Hopefully both easily fixed( in warmer weather)!We'll see soon enough!!!!!! Everyone stay warm and be very careful outside:snow: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilvrT Posted January 17, 2009 Share #2 Posted January 17, 2009 My '87 does the same...I noticed that the leak at the elbow only happened when I ran the bike. My '85 had the drip at the by-pass drain valve. Same as you...only in cold weather. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pegscraper Posted January 17, 2009 Share #3 Posted January 17, 2009 They do cry a little bit in the winter time when they don't get ridden. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schlepporello Posted January 17, 2009 Share #4 Posted January 17, 2009 My 84's doing the same thing. It didn't do it when it was warm. I'm not worrying about it until it starts leaking in warm weather. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squidley Posted January 18, 2009 Share #5 Posted January 18, 2009 I haven't owned or seen a 1st gen that didn't leak antifreeze in the cold climates. It's pretty much normal and the only thing besides changing out all the gaskets and O-rings...is keep the garage heated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
painterman67 Posted January 18, 2009 Share #6 Posted January 18, 2009 My 91 was doindg the same thing. Drip dripmdrip on the driveway. Checked it today and dang if it weren't easy . Just two quick turns in the hose clamp and she stopped. Good luck and hope the weather is better for you. 16 degrees when I started taking of the fairings this mornig. david Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rocket Posted January 18, 2009 Share #7 Posted January 18, 2009 Sounds like the scoot caught a cold, better give it some TLC.........:snow: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dano Posted January 18, 2009 Share #8 Posted January 18, 2009 Dis-similar metals and plastic, different shrinkage rates. Don't worry, be happy!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squidley Posted January 18, 2009 Share #9 Posted January 18, 2009 different shrinkage rates. Like cold water in a swimming pool Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbrood Posted January 18, 2009 Share #10 Posted January 18, 2009 Mine was similar but near the front right corner... the gasket for the thermostat housing was hard as a rock... put in a new one and she doesn't need a "pan" under her at night. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gearhead Posted January 19, 2009 Share #11 Posted January 19, 2009 Old o-rings. The seals on the t-stat cover, both ends of the plastic elbow, and the bypass-valve are all o-rings. At least two of the four were seeping on mine. New o-rings, no more leakey! Jeremy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woz111 Posted January 20, 2009 Share #12 Posted January 20, 2009 Hi Guys, yes, remember these O rings are 20+ years old now, just change them and you'll have no more leaks, remember to clean everything up first though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bikerjohn51 Posted January 25, 2009 Share #13 Posted January 25, 2009 been looking for my leak for a year now and found it at the drain valve, I changed the "O" ring and doesn't leak anymore,,,,,,,, but which way should that valve be oriented for normal driving. when I snapped it in, I put the hole in the valve in the "up" position,but looking at the schematics in the manual, I may be wrong, please advise me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Venturous Randy Posted January 25, 2009 Share #14 Posted January 25, 2009 John, there is a mark on it but I have found that if the tops if the letters are pointing toward the 5 oclock position, it is correct and will not by-pass. RandyA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bikerjohn51 Posted January 25, 2009 Share #15 Posted January 25, 2009 I was second guessing myself, because this is the first time I have been near this component since I owned the bike ( 2 years now), and the "as-found" position was with the top of the wording located at the 11 o'clock position, but the manual said that was the drain position, that's why I was confused....... it will also explain why I have been have overheating problems !!!!!!! what other little secrets should I learn about this "Stallion of a ride" ? don't get me wrong, I love it more than any other bike I've owned but there a certain quirks you have to get to know, and that is where the valued sharing on this site comes in......... thanks to all for the help in the present and future....JOHN Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dano Posted January 25, 2009 Share #16 Posted January 25, 2009 OFF should be at the 2 o'clock position, ON at 7 o'clock. This is correct info, according to me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squeeze Posted January 25, 2009 Share #17 Posted January 25, 2009 OFF should be at the 2 o'clock position, ON at 7 o'clock. This is correct info, according to me! and to me too !!! :happy34: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Condor Posted January 26, 2009 Share #18 Posted January 26, 2009 I've posted this here before, but I guess one more time ain't gona hurt. The pick shows it in the off position. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
86er Posted January 26, 2009 Share #19 Posted January 26, 2009 I haven't owned or seen a 1st gen that didn't leak antifreeze in the cold climates. It's pretty much normal and the only thing besides changing out all the gaskets and O-rings...is keep the garage heated. Cold Climate?!?! Wass Dat?!?! It went down to 24 on my ride the other day and the Road Sofa didn't leak nuttin'!?! I've posted this here before, but I guess one more time ain't gona hurt. The pick shows it in the off position. Attached Thumbnails WOW! I want one o' dem wooden motors!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6pak Posted January 26, 2009 Share #20 Posted January 26, 2009 Changed the antifreeze in the '89 this weekend. I now have a leak at the elbow, that one will have to wait until the weedend as where the hose clamp is I can't get to it without pulling the radiator. the other is the drain valve. Is this thing supposed to spin round and round? I'm guessing that the O ring needs replaced, but cant get the thing to screw out. The bike never had any issues with leaks before, but the antifreeze had been in the bike since I bought it. So I guess that now I'm creating problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Condor Posted January 26, 2009 Share #21 Posted January 26, 2009 Changed the antifreeze in the '89 this weekend. I now have a leak at the elbow, that one will have to wait until the weedend as where the hose clamp is I can't get to it without pulling the radiator. the other is the drain valve. Is this thing supposed to spin round and round? I'm guessing that the O ring needs replaced, but cant get the thing to screw out. The bike never had any issues with leaks before, but the antifreeze had been in the bike since I bought it. So I guess that now I'm creating problems. It doesn't unscrew.... Takle the screw out of the side and pull it straight out. It's a slip fit with the 'o' ring. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6pak Posted January 26, 2009 Share #22 Posted January 26, 2009 Thanks condor, I'll try it tomorrow morning before work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Venturous Randy Posted January 26, 2009 Share #23 Posted January 26, 2009 It doesn't unscrew.... Takle the screw out of the side and pull it straight out. It's a slip fit with the 'o' ring. Just make sure you keep up with the spring and detent ball that may pop out on you. The picture 86er posted shows the tops of the letters to be in the 5 oclock position. RandyA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasonm. Posted January 31, 2009 Share #24 Posted January 31, 2009 when you take the elbow out of the water pump you will likely find corrosion. This is because the o-ring sits far from the end. ANd water from riding in the rain and other crap gets in there. I used #600 wet paper to clean things up. Then new orings and permatex ultra grey while assembling to prevent the corrosion in the future. You may want to do the same on the thermostat housing for the elbow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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