Pooled Coolant at light

sunnyCBR

Well-known member
Hey all,

I looked through a few previous questions about coolant leaks/coolant issues and wasn't confident I got the answer to my question.

Bike info: 2002 CRB600 F4i
This past weekend, I topped off (to the upper mark on the tank) the coolant reservior. Rode it a few times, with no visible issues and normal operating temps (between 80-100c).
This morning, on the way into work while stopped at a light - a guy waiting for a streetcar who is standing only a few feet away comments that 'your bike is leaking anti-freeze'. There was a small puddle of yellow liquid on the pavement (I put in yellow motul coolant). I should have gotten off right away and looked at it, but I rode to the next light - and kept an eye out. I didn't see anymore coolant at the next few lights, and the temp stayed in the normal range.
Once I got to work, I looked at the rad cap, and tubes attached but didn't see any obvious signs of liquid.

My question is: do I simply continue to monitor? Is there steps I should be taking?

Thanks for any suggestions!
 
check the rad cap for pressure leakage and inspect the sealing ring, try a rad shop for the test.
 
Did you fill it up when the engine was hot or cold?
My guess is maybe you overfilled it and it was just spewing out the extra through the overflow tube.
Was it coming from one of the 3 hoses by your left foot inside the fairing?
 
Did you fill it up when the engine was hot or cold?
My guess is maybe you overfilled it and it was just spewing out the extra through the overflow tube.
Was it coming from one of the 3 hoses by your left foot inside the fairing?

The engine was cold at the time that I filled it, again not into the rad itself but into the little tank by the right rear set.

Pooling was off to the RIGHT side of the bike, forward of right foot. Between the handlebar and the feet (after looking online this morning at the service manuals posted here, I guess that would be directly under the rad cap?). A quick visual inspection and touch test once at work and letting the bike sit for a few minutes didn't find anything. I also gave it some time to cool off, and started it again at work. Let it idle for about 4-5 minutes, and blipped the throttle a few times while looking inside the fairing at the rad cap and tube that comes into it. Nothing.

Hopefully that information helps, I'm really new to 'wrenching' or anything technical
 
Did you get the bike hot before? maybe its just overfilled...and it will level it self out now.

All depends, might just need a inspection.

When I flush out cooling systems...i tend to over fill the reservoir, might drip a bit on the first start when the bike gets warm, but it levels itself out eventually.
 
If you filled it to the upper line when the engine was cold that is your problem. The overflow bottle has two lines on it one says HOT and one COLD. If you filled the bottle to the upper line (HOT) that is the problem. When the engine heats up the coolant expands and goes into the overflow bottle. If it was filled up cold and then as the bike warmed up fluid expanded and went into the bottle causing it to overflow.

Make sure the level is at the cold line when the engine is cold. You may have to just suck some fluid out to get it to the right level.
 
I'm still assuming it was coming out of your overflow tube as it comes down the left side of the fairing and depending on how long yours is it might have sprayed to the right side of the bike as it is on somewhat of an angle when it gets to the bottom.
 
When I flush out cooling systems...i tend to over fill the reservoir, might drip a bit on the first start when the bike gets warm, but it levels itself out eventually.

You're adding weight to your bike.

-5hp :D
 
Is there a way I can test the cap for pressure leakage, or is this something best left to a shop to troubleshoot?
you need a shop to test the rad cap. if the cap checks out fine then test the system, it could be a loose hose clamp.
 
If you filled it to the upper line when the engine was cold that is your problem. The overflow bottle has two lines on it one says HOT and one COLD. If you filled the bottle to the upper line (HOT) that is the problem. When the engine heats up the coolant expands and goes into the overflow bottle. If it was filled up cold and then as the bike warmed up fluid expanded and went into the bottle causing it to overflow.

Make sure the level is at the cold line when the engine is cold. You may have to just suck some fluid out to get it to the right level.
OK so this might be the issue then. The bike was COLD and I filled it to the upper line in the bottle. I thought it was a 'min/max' line - apparently I wasn't paying close enough attention... It looks like it sits around the cold line now. I'll have to look this afternoon again and see.
 

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