Kawasaki Concours Forum

The C10, aka Kawasaki Concours - The Original => The Bike - C10 => Topic started by: Motor32 on May 24, 2016, 05:41:49 PM

Title: ### Whiff of Antifreeze ###
Post by: Motor32 on May 24, 2016, 05:41:49 PM

When I was out riding, when I would take off from a light I'm getting a whiff of antifreeze. After I got home I took off the fairings and let it run looking for any sign of a leak or drip. Nothing was found. This may drive me crazy. In the meantime I ordered new hoses from Murph's. Any ideas or suggestions are appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Title: Re: ### Whiff of Antifreeze ###
Post by: Jim __ on May 25, 2016, 05:27:51 AM

Check the hoses associated with the overflow tank.  Also, check the level to make sure it's not overfilled.  While there, verify someone didn't use a screw that was too long to secure the belly pan and wound up puncturing or cracking the tank.  How does your radiator cap look?  Inspect the weep hole under the water pump.  It is very close to the exhaust pipe so if it's only leaking when running, the drip may be hitting the hot pipe.  Good luck.

Title: Re: ### Whiff of Antifreeze ###
Post by: Deziner on May 25, 2016, 06:40:58 AM

It also could have been from a car near you

Title: Re: ### Whiff of Antifreeze ###
Post by: MAN OF BLUES on May 25, 2016, 01:42:59 PM

year and milage would help a bit, but I'll assume based on another thread you posted about forks, that its pre '94...

by this time, likely the large o ring sealing the 2 halves of the thermostat housing has turned to gooo... they all do...
and will produce this symptom. so will the coolant log o rings... and just about every other seal on the cooling system.

Title: Re: ### Whiff of Antifreeze ###
Post by: Motor32 on May 25, 2016, 03:57:47 PM

This is a '87. Today I cleaned / degreased everything. Checked all the hoses, the weep hole and every connection of the cooling system. Still nothing spotted. I'll have to keep and eye out until I get my new hoses on.

Title: Re: ### Whiff of Antifreeze ###
Post by: Daytona_Mike on May 25, 2016, 04:21:56 PM

Quote from: MAN OF BLUES on May 25, 2016, 01:42:59 PM

by this time, likely the large o ring sealing the 2 halves of the thermostat housing has turned to gooo... they all do...
and will produce this symptom. so will the coolant log o rings... and just about every other seal on the cooling system.

+1  :goodpost:

Title: Re: ### Whiff of Antifreeze ###
Post by: Motor32 on May 25, 2016, 05:05:29 PM

Thanks, I just ordered the thermostat and the log o-rings. Murph's saves the day again.

Title: Re: ### Whiff of Antifreeze ###
Post by: VirginiaJim on May 25, 2016, 08:49:29 PM

Quote from: Deziner on May 25, 2016, 06:40:58 AM

It also could have been from a car near you

+1 Can't tell you how many times I've panicked over a smell that came from another vehicle.

Title: Re: ### Whiff of Antifreeze ###
Post by: GKreamer on June 21, 2016, 09:22:39 AM

Quote from: Motor32 on May 25, 2016, 05:05:29 PM

Thanks, I just ordered the thermostat and the log o-rings. Murph's saves the day again.

Were you able to replace the hoses and the t-stat/log o-rings?  I did that on my bike and, just like MOB said, the t-stat o-ring was just a mess like it had disintegrated.  If you have yet to, use fork oil to lube the o-rings.  I did that (thanks MOB) and when I finally got coolant back in the system I had no leaks (not counting the coolant that overflowed from pouring too fast :o).

Title: Re: ### Whiff of Antifreeze ###
Post by: Motor32 on June 22, 2016, 03:05:15 PM

Everything is on my bench waiting for a free day to get it done. Thanks for the tips.